Network Setup

[zaineyma]

Hello all,

We have an environment as follows:

Current Environment:

1 Server - Windows Server 2003
4 Desktops - Windows Vista + Office 2003 (Including Outlook 2003)
Cabling and patching all done, setup via a Hub.
ISP - BT

We will setup 4 accounts in Active Directory on the server.

What I need to know is two things, firstly how do we create a shared drive on the sever so that the 4 machines can map to it? do we use the servers C: Drive or D: Drive?

Secondly, how can we get internet access on the 4 machines.
We use BT as our ISP and have the broadband setup via a router on the network.

We intend to setup 4 pop3 accounts per pc so this we can do as if you are doing it on a single pc right? just do the same setup for all 4pcs? do we need to do anything on the server?

Many thanks in advance.

Ray

 

[pgaliardo]

You can set up a share on any drive you like, but for a simple setup, you probably have C as your OS Partition and D as the data partition. So you will set up shared folders on the D drive. You'll have to set the appropriate permissions for users to access. Did you format as NTFS?

To access the Internet, your ISP probably provided you with a router. You may need their help for configuration, but real basic - the LAN interface of the router will plug into your LAN switch. The WAN Interface connects to the broadband connection (DSL?). If your router comes with a LAN Interface IP Address of let's say, 192.168.0.1, then your workstations need to be set up in the same subnet and use 192.168.0.1 as the default gateway.

 

[FloDiggs]

Usually that kind of a share would be with the rest of your important data on the D: drive. Was there a reason you went with Server 2003 Standard as opposed to Small Business Server?

 

[unclerico]

Piggybacking on what has been said...

What I need to know is two things, firstly how do we create a shared drive on the sever so that the 4 machines can map to it? do we use the servers C: Drive or D: Drive?

I agree with p, one volume for OS install and one volume dedicated to file shares/storage? Access to shared drives is user specific so this can be done with a simple login script to map the drives or you can go to each pc and map them manually if you want to. If you need help writing and implementing a login script you came to the right place ;-)

Secondly, how can we get internet access on the 4 machines.
We use BT as our ISP and have the broadband setup via a router on the network.

How are each of the pc's configured in terms of IP addresses; static or via DHCP? If DHCP, which device is providing the service; the router or the server?

We intend to setup 4 pop3 accounts per pc so this we can do as if you are doing it on a single pc right? just do the same setup for all 4pcs? do we need to do anything on the server?

Each new person that logs in to each of the pc's will need to have Outlook set up to connect to the POP account of choice.

I hate all Uppercase... I don't want my groups to seem angry at me all the time! =)
- ColdFlame (vbscript forum)

 

[zaineyma]

Many thanks for the responses. Right, we use Windows 2003 Business Server actually configured with NTFS. BT gave us a router which is connected directly to the server via usb. Then the router is physically connected to a switch. The PCs are connected to this switch.
What do you mean (pgaliardo) when you say "that the the LAN interface of the router will plug into your LAN switch. The WAN Interface connects to the broadband connection (DSL?)"? Where on the server would I find the routers "LAN Interface IP Address of let's say, 192.168.0.1, then your workstations need to be set up in the same subnet and use 192.168.0.1 as the default gateway"?
The users need to be able to have their own home drive (personal drive) and also access one company drive where we will set different permissions. I assume the volume i dedicate for files/share storage i can seperate into different shares? each user to have a hoe drive and all share a data drive where all files and folders to be kept?
Unclerico, how can i create a login script for this? if i create it for each user to include their drive mappings how do i create it and where does it need to be stored?
It is DHCP currently, I assume the router is providing the service, how can i confirm this? In the LAN connections, there are two connections both firewalled, which is which?
Also, whoever set the server up has not used Active Directory, when the server is switched on a page comes up titled server management, in this I can see user accounts, user shares, computers etc. Shall we continue to use this or use Active Directory? Is it installed already or shall we install Windows Admin Pack?
Many many thanks for the help here, the best forum by miles.

 

[zaineyma]

Also, how can I setup roaming profiles? we want users to login to any pc and also be able to access their home drive and the general drive.
Is login scripts ok for this?

 

[pgaliardo]

Zamy,

That's basically what a router is - at least 2 interfaces. One connected to your local network and another connected to another network (in this case, the Internet). Since you say that the router is physically connected to the switch that the workstations are plugged into, then it is probably already set up.

You wouldn't find the router's IP address on the server, it would be found on the router. Since I don't know your setup, I'm not sure what kind of router you have and how to access the router's interface.

If the router is set up to hand out DHCP and your workstations are set up to obtain IP addresses via DHCP, then the workstations are probably getting the correct IP address, Gateway and DNS.

Again, I'm not familiar with your network.

Thanks.

 

[lhuegele]

At this point, based on your questions, I highly recommend that you call in a networking consultant to come in and help you get things right for your environment Zamy.

Good luck,

 

[etjohnson81]

Agreed

Travis

http://www.bluelinenetworks.net