basic SBS questions:

[jakess]

If you install your first SBS in a site it will automatically be the GC with DNS and AD?
If a want to add a DC can i use SBS again or must i purchase MS 2003 server separately?
Can i run Exch, SQL , ISA and remote functions all on one server?
Is it best to have 2 nic's on a SBS for combo of remote access(VPN) \local SBS server?

 

[bobsa32]

ok:

1: Yes
2: You can only have one SBS on a domain, you would have
to use Server 2003
3: It is possible to have all remote functions on the SBS
box, however SBS is limited to 3 incoming remote
connections which are for admin use. if you want to
use terminal services then use another server.

Hope this helps

 

[jakess]

So if i want to connect remote pc's via VPN to the main office should i then setup seperate MS 2003 server to handle these connections and not use SBS.
All usrs incl remote users need access to Exch, SQL database and file sharing on SBS server.

 

[bobsa32]

If you are just using a VPN then the SBS box will be OK, if you want to use Remote Desktop then you will need another Box. Also remember there is Outlook web access

 

[kash07]

I just have one nic on my SBS. It has remote access (VPN)configured. works great.

 

[jakess]

Kash07 maybe you can explain to me what needs to be done to enable VPN\remote access on SBS.
Some say ...just run the wizard
and then i read long articles about IAS, Radius,ISA, Routing and remote access and encryption etc.
Also i thought you need 2 nic's: 1 for local lan and 1 for internet\router connection.

 

[ShackDaddy]

You only need to worry about all that other stuff if you are running SBS Premium. If you are running with 1 nic, you can just run the wizard, and you can also make the needed changes on your firewall/router. Just run the wizard. Then to set up an external client, you'll run the New Connection wizard to create a new VPN connection.

You can add other domain controllers to your network using Win2003 Standard server, but the SBS server will always hold some critical roles.

If you want users to be able to RDP to systems at your office, you can still use just the SBS server. It comes with something called Remote Web Workplace that allows remote control of systems, and of the server for admins.

If you want to set up a terminal server at the office that will host user sessions and keep user profiles on it, allowing them to run apps that are installed there (front-end, not backend), then you'll need another server. If you've got great hardware under your SBS box, you could actually install VMWare or MS Virtual Server on that box and run the terminal server OS virtually on the same hardware.

ShackDaddy
Shackelford Consulting

 

[LWComputingMVP]

I have a variety of links and a small note on my experiences available here:

http://www.lwcomputing.com/tips/static/sbs.asp

 

[jakess]

Thanks for the links etc.
How many connections to a SBS box for local and remote users using Outlook, file sharing on server and software connecting to SQL?
Once i have configured VPN on the server will remote users also join the domain, run loginscript and logon to the domain as normal users do?

 

[lanrat]

Re - Jakess: "Kash07 maybe you can explain to me what needs to be done to enable VPN\remote access on SBS."
ShackDaddy replied: "You only need to worry about all that other stuff if you are running SBS Premium."

My questions is - So what do I have to consider if I *am* running Premium (R2) and need my 3 users - with laptops initially setup inside the domain - to have VPN access to a SQL db on the sbs server?

 

[LWComputingMVP]

I have not used premium at all but as with almost everything else SBS, you should be able to enable it using the appropriate wizard.

(OK - now it's official - I'm a junky. I posted this via my Windows Mobile cell phone. But, at least I can access this site - unlike the other site I'm frequently posting on)

 

[ShackDaddy]

Start by running the VPN wizard. If it makes the changes in ISA, you should be set, because the VPN connections aren't filtered. Once you have the VPN up, you shouldn't be restricted by ports for whatever types of connections you need to make.

ShackDaddy
Shackelford Consulting