Administering an NT4 Server from a NT4 Workstation

[Norssak]

Ok, I could probably figure this out on my own, but I'm looking for some good ideas. If I wanna lock a PDC in a cabinet(only server on network) and wanna play Admin from an NT workstation. What can and can-not be done?

I can mess with file permissions, i know that.
But can I get access to user-manager-for-domains? (without useing RA programs)
Can I view the server's event logs?
What else can one do without being directly infront of the server?

 

[Ladi]

You can do everything if you run VNC (http://www.uk.research.att.com/vnc/) or PCAnywhere on the server.

Other notes: You can just drop a shortcut to user manager for domains to your workstation's desktop -- it's actually part of the NT Server Tools package. If you're using an Exchange server for email, you can install an admin. client to your computer.

'Remote' administration is certainly possible and can be secure as well; the entire shop where I currently work uses a combination of NT Server Tools and VNC.

~Ladi

 

[Norssak]

<< NT Server Tools package >>



Ok, that kind of sounds like what I was fishing for. Is it free? Is it part of the Options Pack (speaking of which, is that free?)

 

[jsm]

Option Pack is more or less IIS4. I think you are probably thinking of Resource Kit. The Option Pack is free.

You can always get a NT Server Manager tools like this one:
http://www.microsoft.com/ntserver/nts/downloads/management/NTSvrMngrW95.asp

You can try this, but you'll need to run IIS on the server you want to control. It's a web based management tool.
http://www.microsoft.com/ntserver/nts/downloads/management/NTSWebAdmin/default.asp

 

[Sunner]

Try Hyena, its so way way much better than all the stuff that comes with NT.
http://www.adkins-resource.com is the developers site.
Try it, you'll love it

 

[SufferinSuccotash]

Why don't you just install the server tools from the \SRVTOOLS directory on the NT Server CD onto your workstation. I believe it comes with User Manager for Domains, Server Manager, etc.

 

[Spearfodder]

just map a drive letter on your workstatin to the admin$ share on the server and grab a shortcut to the usermgr proggie in that directory.

With event viewer, you can select any machine that you have netbios name for to view. You need to have a mapped letter over to it for security reasons though.

I do these every single day at work...

 

[Spiff]

doh

 

[Spiff]

Install the NT Admin tools to the workstation... I would also recommend installing the latest NT Resource kit on the management workstation and on the PDC. There are many useful tools there.

Anything you would do locally on the PDC can be done remotely. The ResKit also offers the Remote Command Manager service, which I find to be an invaluable remote admin tool.

Even tasks that require GUI input can be done remotely using any of a hundred Remote Control type applications. From SMS to PCAnywhere (works on LAN as well as dialup) to VNC to MS Terminal Services... or you can walk up to the machine for those rare occassions that require such interaction.

The choices are endless