Windows 2003 Server Setup Costs

[lchyi]

I need to setup a new server for the company that I work for and I'm faced with a choice to either outsource it or take a course to do it myself. The question really isn't anything else except cost. Would professionals charge more than what it'd cost to take a class and get certified?

Yea for me personally it'd be fun to get certified and learn to do it myself but to save me the headache I would rather go to a pro if it's cheaper.

 

[Genx87]

Depends on how much you really know about computer, windows, server ect.
If you have little experience I would suggest hiring somebody because they should know what they are doing.

I say "should" because the "hired" consultant I replaced here really messed the hell out of our primary AD controller and our wireless network only had Mac filtering on it lmao.

Of course this guy was an MCSE + Cisco certified CCNP, or in otherwords, book smart.

I would try to find a reputable source if you were to go with a consultant.

I would imagine they charge anywhere form 75-200 bucks an hour depending on what you want them to do.

 

[lchyi]

Well I know a good deal about computers IMO, I do work IT, I just don't happen to have the certification for setting up Windows 2003 Server or have ever done it. Traversing the unknown territory is what scares me. If it's anything like setting up Windows Server 2000 then I have a general idea (again never did it from scratch).

 

[Smilin]

If you are simply doing a Win2003 file server, do it yourself.

Setting up AD I would recommend getting some help.

 

[lchyi]

After doing some initial reading, I'm confused on why AD is so hard to implement. It sounds very straight forward. Can I have some examples of tough situations??

 

[Smilin]

Actually it is SIMPLE to setup AD. Wizards pretty much do the whole thing for you.

Of course a five year old can start a car but I wouldn't want to be on the highway with him!!


Your AD is going to be with you for a long time. Make some bad design decisions up front and correcting them later will be very difficult. AD Wizards aren't going to evaluate your security situation for you either.

If you are considering setting up AD for the first time, you should get some training AND get someone experienced to be with you when you do it. Classroom training alone does not make an admin.

 

[JeffreyLebowski]

Originally posted by: lchyi
After doing some initial reading, I'm confused on why AD is so hard to implement. It sounds very straight forward. Can I have some examples of tough situations??

I set up AD at home and for 3 users. That was easy. Though having poked around it here at work in a 2500+ user environment, it can get pretty in depth.

 

[lchyi]

It makes sense, for our purposes, it'll be a 20 person environment with simple file sharing and minimal security and after reading a few tutorials I'm starting to feel more confident. I do agree though about finding someone experienced, I hope they aren't too hard to come by.

 

[TG2]

Try it out yourself a few times in some virtual machines (or physical ones if you can setup some sort of separated lab/test network.

Im sure youll reinstall 1 or 2 times while your poking around learning/changing things....
But like was mentioned above, make sure you document the design first...whos going to have admin rights on the machines...whos going to be domain admins....etc, etc...

 

[sonoma1993]

If you can, get a few copies of the microsoft press books. right now i'm taking a class on microsoft server 2003. We are currently using 70-290 managing and maintaing microsoft windows server 2003 and 70-291 implementing, managing and maintaining windowa server 2003. My next quarter , I think we'll be using the the 70-294 book Planning, Implementing, and Maintaining a Microsoft® Windows Server? 2003 Active Directory® Infrastructure.

 

[nweaver]

I wouldn't worry so much about the classes as the experience. Have a good MCSE or certified partner come in and help with the design phase, as that is the most critical part of AD. Get the design out, give yourself some time to VM install and configure it, then move it to production. Hold on to your VM images so you can test chages on something other then live.