Hey I'm getting some practice with Server 2003 on a home network. On my server, I want to setup active directory. I know I'll have to set up and configure DNS which is fine for now but will I have to use DHCP as well? Reason I'm asking is because I have Yahoo/AT@T DSL that uses a 2 Wire homeportal that which is like a wireless router and firewall. It automaticaly uses DHCP and NAT. I think that running DHCP on Windows 2003 Server will conflict with the DHCP on the 2 Wire router. I don't know if I can disable to the DHCP on the 2 Wire or Server 2003. I feel as if I may have more control over DHCP if I run it on the Server and disable the 2 Wire but I don't know if I can disable it on the 2 Wire or not. Thanks in advance. "Do NOT confuse LUCK with SKILL!"

You can run your DHCP from another DHCP server (be it another server or a router) without any problems. Just don't enable DHCP on the 2003 server at the same time or you're likely to have problems. A word to the wise, when you run dcpromo to create the domain, let Windows configure your DNS for you. Don't try to do it manually before running dcpromo. Also, before running dcpromo, ensure you have a static IP on your server. I would advise setting up a DHCP scope on your router of say: 192.168.0.100 to 192.168.0.200 Set your server to 192.168.0.1 and your router to something like 192.168.0.250. If you do it this way, you don't have to play with reservations or excluded IP's in DHCP. It simplifies management of the DHCP and IP addressing within your network.

Also, the DHCP in your router needs to configure your clients to point to the DC for DNS. Either that, or you must manually set the DNS server on all clients to point to the DC for DNS manually. "How many squirrels had to die to make you look fly?!"

I did the same thing you want to do. I have AT&T DSL, 2wire Homeportal and Windows 2003 Server. After searching the internet I found you can disable the DHCP server in the 2wire, but as a equal exchange you had to lose your PPPoE part of the 2wire as well. :( So you can ethier have another router like linksys or Windows 2003 Servers PPPoE Server use it Internet Port to logon the 2wire DSL. I use the Linksys router option. This works great for me. 1. goto gateway.2wire.net/managment(or 192.168.1.254) 2. Click on Configure Under Broadband link 3. Put dot in Disable PVC Search 4. Set VPI to 0 and VCI to 35 (depends on service provider may be 8/35, 5/32, etc). 5. Connection Type should say Direct IP 6. Click Submit 7. Click on Configure Services Under Advanced 8. Uncheck Enable Routing 9. Click Submit Linksys Option: You will also have to connect 2 cat5 cables between the 2wire and the linksys. You can also use the linksys DHCP server instead of eitger. 10. Connect one ethernet cable to port 1 on 2wire and to the Internet port on the Linksys 11. Connect another ethernet cable to port 2 on the 2wire and to the port 1 of the Linksys 12. Logon to the Linksys router(192.168.1.1) 13. Configure its PPPoE with your DSL Username and Password. Now your DSL should function and I found that my DSL is running faster with this configuration. Windows 2003 Option: 10. Go to your Windows Server 11. Rightclick My Network Places and click Propeties 12. Double click New Connection Wizard 13. Click Next 14. Select Connect to the Internet and Click Next 15. Select Setup my connection manually and Click Next 16. Selct Connect using bro... Select the second on and Click Next 17. Enter AT&T Yahoo DSL and click Next 18. Enter your DSL Username and Password and click next 19. If you want a Desktop ICON check it. Now Connect. It's That easy J Greene Bye Joel TG Inspire Computer, Inc.