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Advice for server noob

Z

zagood

Diamond Member
Hi all,

Just got the MS Action Pack last week, doing some self-training on small business server setup. I pieced together a server box with a P4 1.8ghz, old ECS mobo, 2gb ram, gigabit NIC, 300gb hdd, the basics. Loaded up SBS 2003 R2 yesterday and I don't know what to do with it now haha...I've just got it set up as a DHCP server, not doing much else. 2 other computers in the house, both with gb nics, network goes cable modem - dgl4300 - 2 computers (1 XP Pro/Vista dual boot and 1 XP home) and server. Cox is the provider.

I've worked with servers before, but just maintenance, never configured one. I'm mainly looking for some resources on how to get started using it, any quickstart guides, etc. I'll be going through the MS Partner training section in the next few days but open to any other sites/books you might like.

It's just for training, but for everyday use I'll probably be using it to save backups of our home computers, file storage, and setting up an intranet. Obviously I'd like to learn about other features as well.

Signed up through dyndns.org so I can have remote access at some point down the line.

Also, I picked up a cheap KVM, but it's only got PS/2 and VGA ports on it. I didn't want to spring for the USB/DVI ones, they looked pretty pricey at Fry's. I'm missing my USB mouse and keyboard though. Is there any functionality missing if you just maintain the server through Remote Desktop? And does it freak out if you don't have a monitor/mouse/keyboard plugged in?

Thanks in advance,

-z
 
For configuring it, there are wizards in SBS to do just about everything, floow the wizards...

As for your box freaking out with no kb/mouse plugged in, that depends on the mobo, there might be some options to 'ignore errors and keep booting'

If youve gotten a DynDNS account, you can easily setup that name to do emails (using Exchange 2003 thats in the SBS2003) and you can also setup Exchange to download your current POP3 emails into your exchange mailbox, then you can use the RWW (remote web workplace) to get to your emails from any internet location

tons of features, just do them slowly and 1 at a time so you can learn it
 
Originally posted by: DrGreen2007
For configuring it, there are wizards in SBS to do just about everything, floow the wizards...

As for your box freaking out with no kb/mouse plugged in, that depends on the mobo, there might be some options to 'ignore errors and keep booting'

If youve gotten a DynDNS account, you can easily setup that name to do emails (using Exchange 2003 thats in the SBS2003) and you can also setup Exchange to download your current POP3 emails into your exchange mailbox, then you can use the RWW (remote web workplace) to get to your emails from any internet location

tons of features, just do them slowly and 1 at a time so you can learn it
Click to expand...

That's what I did at home. Run my own Exchange server and web site using SBS 2003 Premium R2. But follow the wizards and you will be able to configure most anything for out-of-the-box functionality. Look into DynDNS or some similar service though to get your external DNS setup.
 
re: kb/mouse...oh...duh. BIOS is your friend. I assume I would enable "wake on lan" as well, right?

Good idea about exchange, I'll check that out, thanks!

Hmmm, as far as virus protection, any free versions out there that work with SBS? Also I'm assuming I don't want real-time protection, just scanning capabilities since the processor is pretty slow?

Is it worth checking out MS Internet Security & Acceleration Server 2006? (Man this action pack is chock full of goodies)

-z
 
Im sure you will reinstall a few times, wait to do ISA at a later date, I mean its alot to do SBS , and do it correctly on the 1st try, adding ISA just adds more to learn and figure out.

action pack is full of goodies, isnt it !
 
Originally posted by: zagood
Is it worth checking out MS Internet Security & Acceleration Server 2006? (Man this action pack is chock full of goodies)
Click to expand...
Not on an SBS 2003 box. It'll likely mess things up really well. Use the included ISA 2004 with SBS.
 
Yeah, I figured I'd be re-installing, that's why I keep stopping my Strangelove hand from clicking on the "you have 27 days to activate this copy of windows."

Action pack is $299/yr. plus any applicable taxes. Ridiculous deal if you qualify for it.

And thanks, I'll check out ISA.

-z
 
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