Assorted Domain and DNS Questions

[crobusa]

Smoothwall Router/DHCP/gateway: 192.168.0.1
DNS/AD Server: 192.168.0.100

1. Whenever I try to move a computer into the 2003 AD domain, I need to modify the DNS properties under TCPIP. I set up the W2k3's DNS to look at 192.168.0.1. The SmoothWalls's DNS is set to auto. Is there a better way to set this up?

2. If I move over to M0n0Wall, and use the PPTP VPN, How can users access their roaming profile and network privledges? Can they access the VPN before they log on?

3. I've installed Exchange before but I want to reinstall it, even though I attached it to the domain, is this possible?

4. Is it safe to have Exchange on a AD server, behind the firewall?

Thanks

 

[netsysadmin]

For AD you will want to setup the Win2003 server that is running DNS to point to itself for DNS in the netowrk settings. Then in the DNS admin settings on the 2003 server you either need to make sure your root hints are active or setup a forward lookup to your ISP DNS server.

John

 

[RebateMonger]

1) Yeah, if you have Server 2003, it'd make life a lot easier to use the Server for your DHCP and DNS functions. It'll automatically deliver the appropriate Default Gateway, IP, Subnet Mask, and DNS information to all PCs on the subnet. It will automatically register new PCs into DNS. As noted just above, set the Server's DNS service to forward requests to external domain names to your IPS's DNS servers.

3) Microsoft Support: How to completely remove Exchange 2003 from Active Directory

4) Small Business Server 2003 has Exchange, ISA, and SQL all in one box, the root Domain Controller for the Domain. Is it safe? Well, Microsoft thinks it is. You'll get all kinds of opinions about this, but it works just fine for lots of businesses.