Computer Stuff...

J

Joshua312

New member
Hey guys,



I recently purchased a server and I plan on setting up a small network of 4 computers. One will be my MacBook, and then three desktops. Basically this small network will be for me to practice in Active Directory and other server roles. I have already purchased a Netgear 8 port ethernet switch, and will be buying a KVM switch as well for these machines.



I was just wondering if anyone has an old monitor (or not so old) they no longer have a use for (looking to spend under $150)...or any other ideas of things I should add to this network for testing.



The server will be running Windows Server 2003 Enterprise edition and set up as a File Server, DHCP server, DNS Server, and Active Directory.



Also, I want the server to have a static IP address and then within the properties in the server set the IP range for the client computers. Do I do this simply by changing my routers IP to a private IP like



10.0.0.1 and then my server would be 10.0.0.2 and then the clients would dynamically receive their IP address from the given range of 10.0.0.3 to 10.0.0.50 for example?
 
On the 2003 Server setup DNS for resolution and DHCP to hand out a range of IP addresses

( Scope ).



DNS will allow you communicate easily with the other computers on your network.

DHCP scope will hand out IP addresses to the client computers for ever how many IP addresses you need.



Hope that helps.





You should be able to setup the routing through the DHCP scope.

Configure scope options will get you want you want.

DHCP in Windows Server 2003 - Configure Scope Options.
 
dhcp will hand out a range of addresses. you also can use a mac address of a lan card to reserve an ip so it will remain static each time the pc is booted



server ip's should be static, dns will resolve a name to the ip.
 
Joshua,



You have me curious after the other post about Windows Server 2003 and now this one, what are you up to? Are you going for a certification?



Just curious...



Bob
 
rjstaaf said:
Joshua,



You have me curious after the other post about Windows Server 2003 and now this one, what are you up to? Are you going for a certification?



Just curious...



Bob
Click to expand...



Hey Bob,



Since that last thread on Server 2003, my instructor actually told us that because of the class we are enrolled in we have access to a website which gives us free software because of their deal with the University I am going to. So I have downloaded Windows Vista Business, Windows XP Pro, Visio, Project, Server, etc...but right now I am running all of these off from my virtual machine on my Mac and while it works nicely I would rather have the KVM switch so I can be logged in on all these machines/users at the same time...so I did some searching and picked up this server.



Dell PowerEdge 2450 P3 2 x 933Mhz 512MB 2U SERVER - (eBay item 160165023220 end time Oct-11-07 09:46:31 PDT)



and basically I just want to set up a network in my home to test out and put to use what I am learning in my classes. It's nice to read the book and talk about it in class, but the real fun is when I can actually go in there and put it to use. After I complete this course, to answer your question, yes I will be taking the certification exam. Since I plan on continuing the CCNA courses I am hoping the site which I download these programs from is updated with the Server 2008 (137 more days!)...I remember seeing pictures of your setup before and it was very slick. Which KVM switch do you have if you don't mind me asking? I'll be sure to take some pictures once I get everything setup so you can see what kind of mischief I'm getting into :)
 
Was it through the MSDN Academic Alliance? I am taking a C++ programming course at the College where I work and I was able to get a free copy of Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 for the course. The only problem is that the license was only good for 180 days so I went ahead and used my staff discount and bought the educational version since I will need the software for my next couple of classes.



I used the PowerEdge 2450 when I had my own business, they were great machines...



DSC000481.jpg




In my desk I am using an Avocent SwitchView MM2 4-port KVM Switch. It does not only video, keyboard and mouse but audio, microphone and includes a USB hub. There is a USB 1.1 and USB 2.0 version. I currently have the USB 1.1 4 port version which I got off of eBay a couple of years ago. Currently the USB 2.0 4 port version is going for about $250 on eBay and they retail for about $269.



Avocent - SwitchView MM2 4-port KVM Switch



IMG_05581.jpg




With the MSDN Academic Alliance, I was also considering getting a copy of Windows Server 2003 to play around with active directory in an attempt to get single sign-on and roaming profile functionality in my home network. It is a pain to do though with a mix of both Windows and Linux desktops. I have given up on it for now. Since then I discovered Fedora Directory Server which is a Linux based LDAP server and I may see how much of my initial plans I can achieve with it.



Fedora Directory Server (Open Source LDAP)
 
rjstaaf said:
Was it through the MSDN Academic Alliance?[/url]
Click to expand...



Yes! It is through the MSDNAA. I read through the FAQ section and it said the software is full license and the only thing which will change is when you are no longer enrolled in a Computer/Networking class you will no longer be able to receive updates for the program. I could care less if I received updates...as long as I have the software to play around with. It is definitely a great learning tool! We recently went through a seating restructure at the company I work for and I was able to use the Visio 2007 to create a map of all the computers and their associated ports..it made the move go so smooth!



Sounds like you have a pretty elaborate switch! I will probably just go with a cheapo $50 one I can find on ebay. I can't do too much more until the server gets here...quick question you may be able to answer. I am trying to set up a VPN and I have it set up on the following domain Computer.TestServer.local but I am guessing since I do not have a Public IP address to assign to it, I won't be able to connect to it from another computer?
 
Congrats Josh it sounds like you are well on your way :woot:



What you are setting up is enough to play with and learn on without a doubt however I do see something that is missing in your scenario.



You have to find at least 10 of the most helpless people you know, call them "end users", and let them on the network. You'll learn more than you dreamed possible :chuckle:



Good luck man! If I come across a monitor I will let you know as well. The problem though is that it would be a CRT so it would probably be $$ to ship.
 
Joshua312 said:
Yes! It is through the MSDNAA. I read through the FAQ section and it said the software is full license and the only thing which will change is when you are no longer enrolled in a Computer/Networking class you will no longer be able to receive updates for the program. I could care less if I received updates...as long as I have the software to play around with. It is definitely a great learning tool! We recently went through a seating restructure at the company I work for and I was able to use the Visio 2007 to create a map of all the computers and their associated ports..it made the move go so smooth!



Sounds like you have a pretty elaborate switch! I will probably just go with a cheapo $50 one I can find on ebay. I can't do too much more until the server gets here...quick question you may be able to answer. I am trying to set up a VPN and I have it set up on the following domain Computer.TestServer.local but I am guessing since I do not have a Public IP address to assign to it, I won't be able to connect to it from another computer?
Click to expand...



I think with the MSDNAA the terms differ for a lot of the software available through the program. Actually now that I look at the CDs, it is the set for Visual Studio that came with my Visual Basic text book that has the short term license. Sorry for the confusion there...



The KVM I have is probably more than you need for a server on a test network. I bought this one so that I could not only share the usual monitor, keyboard and mouse but since these are desktop machines I also wanted to share one set of speakers and I have a USB extension cable run so that I can plug in my USB stick without having to open the cabinet. The KVM works via keyboard shortcuts. It is ideal for sharing desktop machines.



Wish I had a spare monitor but I donated all my surplus equipment earlier this year. If you don't find someone with a spare, you might be able to find an LCD panel on eBay in the $50 range if you stay around the 15" size. I did a quick search and there seems to be a lot in this range. I have an affinity for Viewsonic and have had nothing but great luck with them. I have a 15" Viewsonic LCD that is more than 10 years old and still works flawlessly. An LCD will be less expensive to ship than a CRT and will be less likely to get broken during shipment.



00001.jpg
 
twitch said:
Good luck man! If I come across a monitor I will let you know as well. The problem though is that it would be a CRT so it would probably be $$ to ship.
Click to expand...



Scott, good to hear from you!



Come on, you don't think I get enough of end users every day at work :grinno: I have decided to put my sisters computer on this server, my mom was a little weary since it was going to sit in between our bedrooms and she is always sneaking on it late at night, so I told her I would put a limit on the internet access through the router settings...but it would be good to actually have a computer to practice policies on with an end user using it daily.
 
Bob, no worries on the spare monitor. I have been looking on ebay and I seen the Viewsonic brand a couple days ago but I was not familiar with them. I will take a closer look now and see if I can find one ending soon...if not I may just head out to Best Buy and pick up a nice one. It would probably almost be cheaper in a way to pick up an eMachines desktop which comes with a free monitor for like $400 :grinno:
 
Okay, so I think I have it set up now until I receive the server...



I have set up the Router to forward requests on Ports 5631 and 5632 to the routers WAN IP address to point to what will be the server's static IP address.



I don't think this will do anything browser-wise if I try to connect but it should help me remotely log-in to the server now outside of my network. I will just have to test it out once I set it's Static IP.
 
Joshua,



Where are you going to setup your server? I am sure you already know but remember that being a server they tend to be pretty noisy since they generally run big fans for cooling and there isn't really any consideration put into making them quiet as they are usually destined for an equally noisy machine room.



Since I don't have the business anymore and the network is in my house I tend to use PCs as servers these days because of the noise issue. Right now my machine of choice is a medium tower machine from Dell in the Optiplex line. They have been every bit as reliable as the servers I have used over the years.



I still have the original server that I purchased when I started my business. I paid $12,000 for it 10 years ago, it is worth maybe $100 on eBay today :( I keep it for sentimental reasons.



I am hoping to convert a sun room on the back of our house into a family room where the kids can do their homework or watch TV and play video games. There is a space the size of a small closet out there that I am going to use as a wiring closet/machine room where I intend to put my server as well as all of our networking gear and some of the PCs I use as servers. Right now the server is just sitting in a box...



This is when we were first starting out, the server was collocated with Valueweb in Ft. Lauderdale. It is a VA Linux 2400 series server. It has dual 800Mhz PIII processors, 2Gb RAM, a Mylex Raid Controller and 4 18GB 10,000 RPM Seagate drives.



frontview_03.jpg
 
Bob,



I will probably place the server and computers in the area between mine and my sisters room upstairs just because of the convenience aspect since it will be in an area where I will actually want to practice on it. It shouldn't be too much of an issue with the noise since both of our bedrooms have a sort of entry way and door so we shouldn't hear a thing. Also, 2 of the three desktop computers will not be on unless I am using the server. Obviously since I do not have a server rack I will have to think of a way to mount the server...



I seen in a few of your previous pictures that you have the Optiplex line, they are good machines. Pretty crazy that the server was so expensive back then, but I don't doubt it!
 
Well an update..I purchased the server and the deal fell through so the seller gave me my money back. I then found another server and won it for a whopping $40. Better specs and everything, fully functional...I guess people don't want to stay up into the late hours of the night to have a bidding war with me :) haha



Only deal is I have to drive to Arlington Heights, Chicago to go pick it up...Oh well worth the drive for such a good deal! I'm in the process of setting up everything in preparation for the server so it should be interesting once I get it here!
 
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