Use DHCP in the Small Business Server. In Active Directory, you authorize DHCP servers to prevent someone purposefully or accidentally hooking in a rogue DHCP server. Also, DHCP within 2000/2003 allows for automatic DNS updates. If you are using the Small Business Server 2003, which it sounds like you should be for cost effectiveness, following the wizards as you're setting up will take care of pretty much everything. Small Business Server 2003 will force you to setup Active Directory before it's fully operational. You may want to pick up Microsoft Press - Administrator's Guide to Small Business 2003. It walks you through most everything in more detail, and provides you a lot of "Under the Hood" info about what the wizards are doing for you, which can also be useful if you know a little bit about 2000/2003, but you're wondering how SBS2K3 is doing the stuff you'd normally do. Setup is very easy, and most routine tasks of daily maintenance are done through webforms. Some other pointers - Get a router/switch, and then get ANOTHER switch. Routers from time to time need to be rebooted, sometimes flat out fail, etc. Even with cheap switches, this is a very rare occasion. Uplink the switch to the router, and then plug all your machines into the switch. That way, if the router fails, at least the internal network will continue to function. Some type of redundant RAID array (such as RAID1) is highly recommended, so the entire organization doesn't fail because of one hard drive biting the dust. Because of all the roles on this one server, make sure you get a bad boy server, plenty of RAM, plenty of CPU power. This is probably the only server they're gonna purchase in the next three years, so don't skimp out now! Don't forget UPS's on the cable modem/DSL modem, router, switch, AND server. I'd recommend at least an 1100VA UPS on the server, and a 500VA on the other devices since they don't draw much current. That should keep all core infrastructure equipment going in the event of a power failure or fluctuations. Don't forget an external backup device. External hard drives (get 2 and always have one off site with as recent a backup as possible!) work very well. Finally, don't forget physical security of the server. No one should be able to physically touch the server but admins, unless there's special circumstances. Remember, this server will be Rome as far as this network is concerned. Don't take the risk of someone (possibly even a kid) walking up and powering down the server or something like that. "People! Take to the streets and scream, 'BE REASONABLE!!!'"

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Once again thanks Heropsycho, glad for your help here. I have set up the Server, I will be playing with it and then when I am done, reinstall it and configure it correctly. As for the DHCP, when I submitted it I remembered lots about it, but thanks. The Router/Switch & Router, I can see where your coming from, cheers, Switch on Order Now! Server, will there running a P4 3.2Ghz HT, 4Gig Ram, Currently got a pair of 80Gig SATA Raid1, but I am waiting for the delivery of two Scsi Drives to replace them. Back up will be via a Sony DDS4. UPS – Sorted Security, Well I was limited there, but one site inspection I have secured an old toilet that I have had converted and this will cage the Server. Questions 1. What’s the best way of Simplifying Account Creations? I have setup basic accounts and then created there account folders, allocating the drive letter H for them. Is there a way I can simplify this? 2. I am going to setup and install Exchange, for the external side of it, is there anything I should look for in the place I register the domain name? Once again thanks for your knowledge.

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"Server, will there running a P4 3.2Ghz HT, 4Gig Ram, Currently got a pair of 80Gig SATA Raid1, but I am waiting for the delivery of two Scsi Drives to replace them. Back up will be via a Sony DDS4." Actually, SATA work quite well. You could use both in conjunction. I would house the exchange database on whichever is your secondary drive, as long as it's got enough space for your needs. Split cache on both drives. I'd also put the transaction logs for exchange on a different drive than the database. Also, put the transaction logs for Active Directory on a different drive than the AD database. Those are just general recommendations by Microsoft. "1. What’s the best way of Simplifying Account Creations? I have setup basic accounts and then created there account folders, allocating the drive letter H for them. Is there a way I can simplify this?" Group Policy for the home folder mapping. "2. I am going to setup and install Exchange, for the external side of it, is there anything I should look for in the place I register the domain name?" Not that I know of really. I hope you're not using dynamic IP for internet, or else you need DDNS service, which isn't a good idea. "...but in my defense, it was dark, I was drunk, and it was delicious!"

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Once again thanks for your input and advise. You have put my mind at ease. I am using a Static IP thank god. Once again thanks for your advise. No doubt you will respond to one of my future posts. Thanks

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No problem! Good luck! "People! Take to the streets and scream, 'BE REASONABLE!!!'"

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I try to install Recovery Console for Windows Server 2003. I get the message: "Setup cannot continue because the version of Windows on your computer is newer than the version on the CD.". WS 2003 is clean installed on a Dell 6100 PIII. Who can help. Thanks. Mark

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No offense, but what on earth does this have to do with Small Business Server 2003? Secondly, make your own thread since this is a separate problem! "...but in my defense, it was dark, I was drunk, and it was delicious!"

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OK Heropsycho, I am a first time user of that system: I try to understand. Miglia scuzzi. MarkPommern PS If you know the answer, go ahead.

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Server 2003 Installation Team, what would be the correct procedure to installing the following components of Server 2003 Basic Build with all drivers. 2 x NIC Cards, first one going to my router, modem for WAN connectivity. 2nd to my Switch. Server will be running:- DHCP Server Domain Controller (Active Directory) File Server Internet Gateway Exchange (Eventually) DHCP = Server Default Gateway = NIC attached to Router/Modem DNS = NIC attached to Router/Modem I setup the O/S with SP1 and Drivers. I then installed DHCP, this went fine, I have used the Domain name Springfield. No problem, then I moved onto AD, during the install it advised me that the Netbios name would be Springfield0 and would not accept the Springfield. Also that the DNS was not contactable, I chose to set this later. When I reboot now, the Event Viewer, SYSTEM is showing a DHCP Service on the local machine belongs to the Windows Admin domain Springfield.com? And when I come to the login screen there is only the springfield0? P.S heropsycho I got the book and its good, thanks, Just don’t k now how the pro’s would install in the correct order.

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Setup DNS first before AD. "It's like Gomer Pyle in Bangkok!"

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I am getting an error when I am setting up the AD. Its getting to the "DNS Registration Diagnostics" page and advising that "None of the DNS servers used by this computer responded within the timeout interval" My config is the router is the DNS, but also set the Server as WINS.

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Point the SBS server to itself for DNS. Then setup a forwarder to the router within DNS in the SBS server. "It's like Gomer Pyle in Bangkok!"

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when setting up dns, do I have to set up the Forward Lookups & Reverse?

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Bloming Heck I think it working! I have done a test through the DNS checker, both tests passed. When booting up now every thing runs, but getting 5 or 6 errors in the event mon all relating to te same thing. Copyed below. The dynamic registration of the DNS record 'ForestDnsZones.springfield.com. 600 IN A 10.0.0.1' failed on the following DNS server: DNS server IP address: 66.54.0.77 Returned Response Code (RCODE): 5 Returned Status Code: 9017 For computers and users to locate this domain controller, this record must be registered in DNS. USER ACTION Determine what might have caused this failure, resolve the problem, and initiate registration of the DNS records by the domain controller. To determine what might have caused this failure, run DCDiag.exe. You can find this program on the Windows Server 2003 installation CD in Support\Tools\support.cab. To learn more about DCDiag.exe, see Help and Support Center. To initiate registration of the DNS records by this domain controller, run 'nltest.exe /dsregdns' from the command prompt on the domain controller or restart Net Logon service. Nltest.exe is available in the Microsoft Windows Server Resource Kit CD. Or, you can manually add this record to DNS, but it is not recommended. ADDITIONAL DATA Error Value: DNS bad key. For more information, see Help and Support Center at http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/events.asp.

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Me thinks you should start over and setup DNS like I told you. "...but in my defense, it was dark, I was drunk, and it was delicious!"

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I have I have promis:-) I have reinstalled several times.

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Make sure DNS is setup like that BEFORE you kick off the wizard to setup AD. Make sure the system is set up for static IP as well. "...but in my defense, it was dark, I was drunk, and it was delicious!"

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O.K taking your advice I did the following. Installed the 2003 > Reboot Went into the MS Networking and configured the NIC for Static IP of 10.0.0.1, then Gateway for 10.0.0.2 (Router) Reboot. Reboot > I then setup DNS, but I think this is where I am going wrong. After the DNS I reboot, then I configure WINS, then Reboot, then I add the DNS to the NIC 10.0.0.1 Reboot after this I go into the DNS Settings and set the forwarded to 10.0.0.2, after a reboot, I set up DHCP and then after a reboot AD. When I am installing ad it comes up with the Error about the DNS not working. It’s driving me mad.

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Simply point the box to itself for DNS in NIC properties, and launch the AD setup wizard. It will configure everything DNS related except the forwarder to the router. "People! Take to the streets and scream, 'BE REASONABLE!!!'"

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Thanks, I will start from fresh againn.

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