Advise needed: how to setup Win2K Server

[switch_abx]

I have three PC's now connected here at Home in a peer-to-peer configuration with Cat 5 cable and a HP 10/100 Switch. In two weeks I can buy me a second hand (Pentium II) Dell PowerEdge Server (model 2300). It even contains a HP DAT drive for backup.

Its now time to think about setting up such Server. I want to set up Windows 2000 Server as Operating System and set up a Home LAN!

I am looking for sites on the net which can help me with tips and tricks. A cookbook for the novice would be the best. I have no time myself to read books unless someone can advise me on a primer in setting up Windows 2000 Server.

A crate of (virtual) beer for those who can help me. Or can I contribute it to that Virtual Party which is going on on this Forum?

Thank in advance!

[Ranger_abx]

What are you looking to do with your new MS network? Installing Server is no big deal but if you want to create a Domain or set up Active Directory it's a much bigger deal.

I'd recommend using Advanced Server over Server if you can get your hands on it.

[switch_abx]

Could questions! First of all I'll install Server and not Advanced Server. As to what I want to install, Domain of Active Directory: that's why I need a primer. Once I know what it ist, I can respond to your question.

In any case Id' like to setup something which the Network Pros are installing in the bigger companies. I like to do it just for fun and to learn. I'm my own teacher and I'm the only student in the class. Learning by doing.

Ranger, I would appreciate if you could give me hand. Any good primer you know about? Any tips and hints? What are the major issues to decide on before setting it up (Domain, AD, ????)?

Look forward hearing.

[Ranger_abx]

You want AD then. But maybe not right away. I'd suggest bringing up a domain first and then moving to AD after you've learned more. I don't really feel qualified to help you with AD (I'm still learning), but I know domains pretty well.

I have to do this from memory and it's been awhile since I did it on W2K so it may not be totally accurate. My own PDC is still running on NT4 since I need to get some better hardware before it's worth upgrading. Use NTFS. The install is pretty similar to W2K Pro. Fire it up and on one of the screens it will ask you if you want it to be a primary domain controller. Hit yes and continue. When the install is done you have a primary domain controller (PDC). There will be a lot more utilities in the administrative tools folder.

You then want to add all your other W2K PCs to the domain. My Computer > network identification > properties on W2K. You can't add 9x boxes to the domain, you can only have them log into the domain, which is a setting in their network properties.

Any IDs you create on the PDC can now be used to login to any of the PCs on the network. The security database on the PDC is the domain, essentially. You can now do all kinds of funky stuff. You will learn a lot about how MS security works.

That was a vast oversimplification of how domains work. I really don't think you're going to figure all this out just by playing around. But you can learn it by playing around WHILE reading a book. I'd suggest getting one of the MSPress books. I've always found the MS books to be good, though opinions will vary. Check here for a list http://mspress.microsoft.com/windows.../it/server.htm

I'd suggest something like this to start. You can get it cheaper elsewhere, though.

http://mspress.microsoft.com/prod/books/1959.htm

[switch_abx]

Ranger, a great many thanks for your advise. I'll let you know one I've got that dell here in-house and have it setup.

[Ranger_abx]

Good Luck!!