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Microsoft Small Business Server 2003 (Tips)

 

 

Setting up a simple small business network that has an internal network and is also internet facing using SBS can be a real challenge for very small companies (ie: 12 workstations) Here’s a quick overview on the best way to install and create such a small network.

SBS or Full Edition

    I recommend whenever possible to use a full edition of Window Server. SBS has way to many limitations, such as you can’t have 2 domain controllers in a network with an SBS server, you can’t install 2 SBS servers in a network.

SERVER HARDWARE

    Use 2 network cards in your server. I recommend a gigabit card for your internal network. The card that will be used to connect to your internet connection (say a DSL connection) can use a 100 mbps card. Use a standard Server box from DELL. The poweredge series is a great start.

 

TOPOLOGY GOAL

   Your server will connect to the DSL (internet connection) using one of it’s card. The other card should connect to a gigabit switch in which other computer will connect to. If you want wireless, later you can add the wireless router to your switch but don’t do that right away.

 

Steps (This is just one example of how you might do it)

     Don’t worry about the static IP to start with, let you modem be dynamic to start. Verify your internet connection using a standard computer connected to your DSL modem and leave the DSL modem on defaults.

2. Second step—INSTALL SERVER WITH NO CONNECTIONS TO START

    Install your server and choose the INTERNAL network card to start with. You’ll set up your internet connection later. Your computer should be installed DHCP and DNS enabled.

3. Step 3—Install 1 computer to the server and make sure it works.

    Make sure you can join your internal domain with one of your computers. Once that’s up a running you can connect others up.

4. Step 4—Install any printers you might need.

    If your are using a NAN or a separate stand alone box as a file server, connect the print server to that box and share the printer.

5. Connect up the DSL modem

    Connect the DSL modem to the other network card on the server and run the internet wizard.  At this point you still don’t have to worry about a static IP.

6. Make sure all computers can connect to the internet and upgrade all software on all boxes with windows update starting with the server first.

7. Connect up the wireless router to the switch

   If you want to connect up remote computers like laptops. Make sure you assign the router an IP address in the scheme of the internal server network and DO NOT enabled the DHCP on the router.  I recommend connecting the router to one of your computers and use it to set up your router first and hard assign it’s address after you have secured the wireless

8. Now you can proceed with setting up the static address in the modem and on your websites internally. That’s an exercise left up to the reader at this point.