Learning to control and your IP address in Windows Vista Change

- Check whether an IP address in Windows Vista:

1. Start Windows Vista and draw on their own. If you are the only user of the computer then the computer will immediately charge your account and will probably have to look at your system administrator or change an IP address.
2. Test to make sure you have an active Internet connection to it. You can use an IP address using Windows Vista not occur without accessInternet.
3. Go to one of the tools available online that can identify the current IP of your computer. Once the site loads, you probably automatically display your current IP address.
4. Your IP manually, working with Windows Vista Network and Sharing Center. Just click on "Start" then "Control Panel" and double-click on the link "Manage network connections".
5. Click the network adapter. You'll definitely see that Windows Vista will automatically set to "Assign an IP address. "
6. Just click on "Use the following IP settings." That will allow you to configure settings for your specific needs.
7. Nature in all the IP information, including IP, Subnet Mask and Default Gateway. system administrator and / or network will have this information.
8. Just click on "OK" once you've done.
9. Groped to return to the online tool we have to verifyThe changes have been implemented. Otherwise, you are likely to view the dynamic IP address (mainly the changes) or the online tool will not load.

- Change your IP and TCP configuration on Windows Vista:

1. Go to Control Panel from the Start menu.
2. Click on "Network and Internet" and then "Network and Sharing Center".
3. Click on "Manage network connections."
4. Choose whichThe Internet is likely that you'd like to change if you have more than one. Right-click and choose Properties.
5. Click the network tab.
6th. Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) or Internet Protocol version 6 (TCP/IPv6).
7. Click on "Obtain an IP address automatically" to completely restore your IP automatically, then click OK.
8. Click Use the following IP address "to make its own IPinstitutions.
9. Enter your IP in the boxes marked "IP Address", "Subnet Mask" (or "subnet prefix length for IP/TCPv6) and Default Gateway. "

- Change the configuration of your DNS server:

1. Click on "Obtain DNS server address automatically" and then click OK.
2. Click "Use the following DNS server addresses" for the configurations manually change your DNS server.
3. Typeyour primary DNS server address in the "Preferred DNS Server".
4. Enter your secondary DNS server address in the "Alternate DNS server".

- Adding a new network protocol:

1. Click on "Properties" and then "Install" from "Manage network connections."
2. Click on "Customer", "service" or "protocol" based on where you want to add. Click'Add'.
3. Select the item you want to record the dialogue and click OK.

Related : Inspection Mirror Printers Store. LOWER Prices in The Same Item, Let Buy Cheap Speaker Systems | LOWER Prices

How to make a Windows NTP Network Time Server Configuration

computer synchronization is very important in modern computer networks, precision and time synchronization is critical in many applications, particularly time sensitive operations. Imagine buying an airline seat only to be told at the airport that the ticket was sold twice because it was then purchased a computer that had a slower clock!

Modern computers have internal clocks called Real Time Clock chips (RTC) that provide time and date. Thischips are battery backed so that even during power outages, they can maintain time but personal computers are not designed to be perfect clocks. Their design is optimized for mass production and low cost rather than maintaining accurate time.

For many applications, can be quite adequate, although many of these machines need time to be synchronized with other PCs on a network and the computers are not synchronized with each other problems can arise, such as file sharing networkor, in some environments even fraud!

Microsoft Windows 2000, a time synchronization utility built into the operating system called Windows Time (W32Time.exe) that can be configured to operate as a network server. Microsoft and others recommend that you configure a time server with a hardware source rather that the Internet where there is no authentication.

If you want to configure the Windows Time service to use the internal hardware clock, thenfirst check that w32time is located in the list of system services in the registry to check:

Click Start, Run and type regedit and click OK.

Locate and click the following registry entry:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetServicesW32Time

We strongly recommend that you back up the registry as serious problems can occur if you modify the registry, the changes to the registry is done at your own risk.

To begin the configuration of ainternal clock, click the following subkey:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetServicesW32TimeParameters

In the right pane, right-click ReliableTimeSource, click Edit.

In the Edit DWORD Value, then type 1 in the Value data box, click OK

Close the Registry Editor

To restart the Windows Time service, Run (or alternatively use the Command Prompt).

Type: net stop w32time & & net start w32time

Then press Enter.

Onlocal reset 'time the computer, type the following on all computers except the time server which must not be synchronized with itself:

w32tm-s

Configuring the Windows Time service to use an external time source, regedit, click Start, Run, and type and then click OK.

Locate the following subkey:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetServicesW32TimeParameters

In the right pane, click Type then click Edit Edit Value, type NTP in the Value data boxbox and click OK.

Now, in the right pane, right-click ReliableTimeSource, click Edit.

In Edit DWORD Value data box, type 0, click OK.

NtpServer right mouse button in the right pane, click Edit.

In Edit Value, type the Domain Name System (DNS), each DNS must be unique.

Now click on OK.

For Windows 2000 Service Pack 4 only the time correction settings to do thisfind:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetServicesW32TimeParameters

In the right pane, right-click MaxAllowedClockErrInSecs, and then click Modify the Edit DWORD Value box, a second time in seconds the maximum difference between the local clock and the time received from the NTP server types should be considered as a valid new time.

Click OK.

To find the polling interval:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetServicesW32TimeParameters

Inthe right pane, right-click the period, and then click Edit.

In Edit DWORD Value data box, type 24 then click OK

Close the Registry Editor

Click Start, then Run and type the following command and press Enter:

Net stop w32time & & net start w32time

the local 'Recovery time computer, type the following on all computers except the time server which must not be synchronized with itself:

Network Time Protocol (NTP) is an Internet protocol used totransfer of accurate time information for the time, so that an exact time can be obtained

For the Network Time Protocol, NTPServer, locate and click:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetServicesW32TimeTimeProvidersNtpServer

In the right pane, click Enabled, and then click Edit.

In the Edit DWORD Value, type 1 under Value data, click OK.

Now go back and click onon

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetServicesW32TimeParametersNtpServer

In the right pane, click NtpServer, and then click Edit in the Edit DWORD Value data, type in the right pane, click NtpServer, and then click Edit in the Edit DWORD Value data, type the domain name system ( DNS), each DNS must be unique and need 0x1 to the end of each DNS name otherwise changes will have no effect.

Now click on OK.

Identification andClick on the following

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetServicesW32TimeTimeProvidersNtpClientSpecialPollInterval

In the right pane, special poll interval right mouse button, click Modify.

In Edit DWORD Value data box, type the number of seconds for each poll, ie 900 to poll every 15 minutes, and then click OK.

To configure the correct settings, found:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetServicesW32Timeconfig

In the rightRight click MaxPosPhaseCorrection, and change, in the Edit DWORD Value, under Base, click Decimal, under Value data, type a time in seconds as 3600 (one hour) and then click OK.

Now go back and click:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetServicesW32Timeconfig

In the right pane, right-click MaxNegPhaseCorrection, and then click Change.

In the Edit DWORD Value box, under Base, click Decimal, type in the data value of the time in seconds that you want to poll such as 3600 (polls inhour)

Close the Registry Editor

Now that Windows Time Service, click Start, Run (or alternatively use the Command Prompt) and type reboot:

net stop w32time & & net start w32time

And on any computer other than the time server, type:

W32tm / s

And this is the server which should now be up and running.

Friends Link : Virtual Space

Configure the FTP server using FileZilla on Windows 7

FTP stands for File Transfer Protocol, if you want to know more, you can check on Wikipedia. FTP is actually less popular nowadays, as many users of other protocols for exchanging files, especially P2P BT. FTP, still play an important role.

Let's say that you have a file that is 300 MB and you want to send to your friend overseas immediately. What would you do? Usually email attachment limit (usually not so highas 300 MB) and will be extremely slow and unstable when you try to transfer via instant messaging software like MSN. The best bet is to configure the FTP server at home and allow your friend to download from your computer. The mind, then you have an account to view files and take them anywhere.

If all the remote desktop setting up your home, you probably leave your computer on 24 * 7 just so that you can not accesswhenever you want. Or if you have a spare computer as I do, why do not you try to use the people? I'll show you how your computer to an FTP server.

After trying some of the FTP server software, freeware FileZilla Server has been my choice.

Ok, let's start.

The first thing to do is install the package just downloaded (the link above), installation is fairly simple and I do notto arrive at retail.

After installation, FileZilla server starts and you should be able to see the following interface:

Before you go ahead and set the ports, we want a user to ensure that the works to add. We are going to choose "Edit -> User" (. If there is a link, just below the "Edit" in the menu bar)

I have a user called "anonymous", and make sure the "Password" box is checked, because I'd be likemy account public FTP visitors can download from my FTP server. If you want other accounts, make sure the "Password" is selected on the basis of secure access to enforce. For many users, you can use another location, or you can just create a group and assign the path to all members of that group.

On the left you will see the "Shared Folders" the folder you want to "anonymous" as well as the rights that would seemfeasible. When finished, click OK.

Note: The shared folder is the root directory that you selected (in this case, is "anonymous") could be seen, but all the folders that the folders are visible to the user.

The thing that Windows users, you probably missed when setting up FileZilla is the firewall. About the installation, even if you have the means to allow computers to access your FTP Server, there is something wrongis correct.

Locate your firewall settings, you can find FileZilla Server Interface can be allowed in the list, but this is the problem. We need to FileZilla Server Core instead of the interface. The interface is just the user interface for end users like you and me for access to the basic program. Then click Add to select "FileZilla Server" from the installation folder:

Now OK.

If you have two or more computers at home,you can buy a test. First check your internal IP address. If you do not know how to do it, check out my previous post, set the remote desktop. For example, I discovered that the internal IP of 192.168.1.111 is my server, then on another computer, I type in just ftp://192.168.1.111.

Note: If a port other than 21, say that the port 22, type ftp://192.168.1.111:22 if you do not know which port is, in fact, is underinstitution -> General Settings: If it works for you, we will go, other than those new to read instructions or ask me.

FTP server is intended to cover in a network, if you just try to set it up at home, then you are done, but according to the situations introduced in my first paragraph, I would like to see the world.

How a Remote Desktop, we will establish port forwarding. In my case, because my FileZilla Server on port 21 on my computer, Ineed a way to send the FTP application on this port. Ideally it would be nice if you can configure the port 21 and outer door, because every time you type in the address bar, we do not need to type the port number (default port of FTP browser is 21). However, most ISPs (Internet Service Provider), for example, I use Telus blocking port 21. We need a different port as our outer door to find:

I suggest port 5050 as my remote port and all FTP requests through this port willNext to port 21 on my server. I am using D-Link DIR-825, if your router, refer to the instruction manual.

If dynamic DNS, then you have done, if not, go back and read my post, it is very simple.

Let's say you have your dynamic DNS name as myServerAtHome.no-ip.org, then when you're out, you can simply type ftp://myServerAtHome.no-ip.org:5050, but when you get home, you may onlyftp://192.168.1.111.

You can set your browser to visit your FTP server, though, I recommend using FTP software. FileZilla Server is a great FTP server and client software they have. You can check the website FileZilla if you do not have one, why not try FileZilla Client?

Friends Link : Blu-Ray Movies Store. LOWER Prices in Same Item Laser Printers Store. LOWER Prices in Same Item

Requirements for the installation of Active Directory on Windows 2008

Microsoft Active Directory was introduced in Windows Server 2000 to centralize operations such as network management and storage of information on various resources in a domain. Active Directory is to help centralize all this information with the help of the domain.

In this article are the requirements to install Active Directory on a Windows 2008 domain controller to see.

When you install a new AD in Windows Server 2008Forest

Make decisions at a functional level to determine if your Windows 2008 forest can contain other domain controllers Windows 2000 and Windows 2003, or both. You should know that Windows 2008 does not support Windows NT 4.0. You must have Windows 2000 or Windows 2003 Windows NT 4.0 domain controllers to handle. You must first Windows 2008 server as a global catalog server. It is not possible as a Read-Only DomainController (RODC).
When you install Active Directory on Windows Server 2008 in an existing forest to Windows 2000 or Windows 2003 SE RVers

You need to 2008 adprep forestprep / or extend the Windows 2000 Windows Server 2003 to support Windows. Decision to create a functional level to determine if the forest can contain other domain controllers in Windows 2000 and Windows 2003, or both. L 'It is recommended to receive the PDC emulator master role of Windows Server 2008 domain controllers in the forest.
Other requirements

After creating a functional level decisions for the Windows 2008 Server, make sure that the following conditions are met, in order to successfully install AD in Windows Server 2008:

Username and password for the Administrator account: You can only ADaccess to the system with a local administrator account.
Free space and the NTFS partition: the partition on which you install Active Directory must be NTFS. You also need at least 250 MB of free space. It 'a bit better if you have' more space, so you can easily add resources to the directory.
OS version: You can install Active Directory on Windows Server 2008 Standard, Enterprise and Data Center. You can also install Active DirectoryWindows Server 2008 Core, but this is a different process.
A network adapter: An essential component that enables you to connect to the network server.
A dedicated IP address: you can install ad on a server that is configured to use a dynamic IP address, is not the way to go. This is because the DNS records do not work on a server with dynamic IP address and will not be able to enjoy the various functionsActive Directory. If the server is multihomed, you should host the dedicated IP address on the network adapter that is not connected to the Internet.
The connection to the network: It 's essential that the server is connected to the network during the installation of Active Directory. Otherwise, if the command Dcpromo.exe to promote your server to a Windows 2008 domain controller, you receive the following error:
"You must configure theTCP / IP. "

A working DNS server for Active Directory to work properly, you) have a record DNS records DNS servers that support AD (SRV. When using Installation of Windows 2008 Active Directory domain controller, it is best that you can use the wizard to create the proper configuration of DNS services and for you.
Domain Name: You must enter a domain name. You should avoid usingsingle-label domain names. Many experts recommend that you use the same internal and external domain names to avoid confusion. Now you are ready to install Active Directory on Windows 2008 server.

See Also : Liquid Calcium Magnesium Spark Energy

Support Tools for Windows Server support and management

When you purchase the CD of Windows server support, there are various tools in the set. In some tools included are some of the most essential and useful tools in below.

Dcdiag is actually a command line to access and its function is to monitor Active Directory. Run this program will help to make analysis of the state of domain controllers in the forest, the analysis of the necessary permissions for replication, generate reportsall the problems of registration and test DNS connectivity and replication, and report any errors or problems? Repadmin is accessible to the command line that is included in this set-support for Windows server and the function of sight of the replication topology from the perspective of each domain controller, then the administration to better understand the transmission of data and support the individual problems that may occur with replication.In addition, this tool also be used to generate a replication topology manually in case the site link bridging is disabled. This tool also support server also offer several other features, including its function to see the data controller Meta replication to determine the most recent data replication and forced replication between different domains.

Another tool that comes with the Windows server support REPLMON. This tool is known as auseful graphical tool that can be easily used or applied by the program of group support tools or the command prompt. Just like repadmin, this tool also helps the administrator to see the forest wide bridgehead servers, domain controllers in the domain and the current status of the server errors. This support tool also checks the replication topology and gives a graphical representation of the replication partners. Not only does this help the admin directory partitions to conduct the synchronization, replicationthe domain and receive a status report.

The installation process of Windows 2003 Support Tools is not difficult. All you have to do is follow six easy steps:

Log on as administrator

Put the installation CD of Windows server support.

Click "NO" if the message asks you to reinstall Windows.

When the Welcome screen, click "Task operate additional displays.

Click "Browse this CD"

Go to "Support" and then "Tools" and doubleClick Suptools.msi file for the installation wizard. This will guide you through the installation CD of Windows server support.

Related : Preview Games Console External Laptop Linux Thread

Windows Small Business Server 2008 Standard and Premium expectations

Microsoft recently announced the release of Windows Small Business Server 2008 Standard and Premium Edition set for release November 12, 2008.

The release of Server 2008 marks one of the most significant upgrades Microsoft has made to the line of server software. Perhaps only the release of Windows 2000 was a step most important to the product line. Before the release of Windows 2000, NT 4.0 was available only for servers.

The newtechnologies available in Server 2008 will prove to be more favorable to society than previous versions.

Small Business Server 2008 Standard and Premium

Server 2008 is the first release of a new server product from Microsoft Server 2003 R2. The innovations contained in this release are well worth the wait. With the release, as with Vista, Microsoft makes the most of the 64-bit computing environment that isaround for several years.

Some of the major developments in the new release is an update to Active Directory (AD) infrastructure, which has since Windows 2000 was released. However, many functions within Server 2008 is very powerful and have the latest Microsoft server operating system in a radically different direction.

The Small Business Server 2008 Standard Edition comes with Microsoft Exchange Server 2007, Windows SharePoint Services 3.0, Windows Server Update Services 3.0, Microsoft Forefront Security for Exchange Server, Windows Live OneCare for Server and integration with Office Live Small Business.

The Small Business Server 2008 Premium Edition includes all the products in the Standard Edition plus Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Standard for Small Business.

Server Core

Server Core is one of the characteristics of this new radical.> Server Core provides a minimal version of Server 2008 are installed on machines that only need specific functionality. For example, Server Core can be configured on common features that normally the server, such as DHCP server, DNS server, file server and Active Directory, as well as operations such as streaming media, printing services, or even Windows Virtualization.

Server Core is designed for usenetwork administrators and server management staff to develop a core team of highly specialized and efficient, using the computing environment is Server. Server Core Installation is very different from other Microsoft operating systems on a PC or server installations minimal. The interface - usually from the command line, but a task manager or the Notepad window may be sued.

IT professionals can enjoy a Server Core installation, where necessary.Maintenance under such a system is an absolute minimum, because the server where the software is installed only focused on a specific function, instead of multiple functions on a full install of Server 2008. There are also inherently less vulnerable to a potential hacker to work under that setting, so security is a breeze. The simplest system also ensures fewer software errors that occur when you least expect it - as when an application installed that is not fully compatible with Microsoft software.

Given all these benefits for a minimal installation, it becomes clear that the time management involved with this specialized servers is significantly reduced. Less time means less maintenance management of IT staff, or at least, not one staff to spend time making sure that the firewall keeps up or a problem highlighted by several functions in a typical> Server.

Hyper-V

In Server 2008, Hyper-V option, which increases the presence of Microsoft in the world of virtualization. Virtualization provides a single machine to take over the functions of two or more machines, using the same resources, without overlaps or conflicts. Virtualization has many advantages for the business world that they are difficult to track. The limited number of machines in a virtual environment can save money for abusiness in many different ways. Less machines use less energy in less space and can be effectively managed by fewer staff.

Today, the machines can handle the added functionality of virtualization requirements, often CPU, memory and hard disk space is wasted or never used. Virtualizing a server environment is a trend that will continue to see over the next decade.
earlier version of Microsoft virtualization, Virtual Server, uses apopular virtualization technique called "virtualization host-based" where the main installation operating system runs a service called "Virtual Machine Monitor (VMM) that provides virtual environment to another operating system.

Hyper-V works differently with a hypervisor. A hypervisor provides an abstraction layer in boat running only the minimum functions of the kernel, abstracted from the environment required to run multiple operating systems and theircorresponding applications on top of the kernel. This results in a faster and more scalable than the virtual VMM methodology.

However, an important consideration is that Hyper-V is largely depends on the hardware. To fully exploit the speed and scalability of Hyper-V Microsoft virtualization infrastructure generally requires hardware acceleration. This hardware is not uncommon, however. Examples of these are AMD's Pacifica and Intel VT extensions their respective Opteron and Xeon.

Setting up a virtual machine on Hyper-V is a breeze with the wizard, and console access to virtual environments is simple and effective. Hyper-V is integrated into the Server 2008 version and it is just file and print services, making configuration and management are very simple and familiar to the experience with earlier versions of Microsoft.

Easier Server Management

Previousserver installations> had a separate management console for each role within the Manage Your Server dashboard. Manage Your Server is a useful extension to the previous releases server management console were not so neatly collected. However, with Server 2008, this a step further convenience with all new Server Manager.

With Server Manager, administrators have a one-stop-shopmanagement server for the first time. It 's very likely that most of the time, the IT staff never need to use another tool to manage the system, Server 2008, and will be very grateful. Again, with this tool, Microsoft reduces the time required to perform simple tasks.

Within Server Manager, the roles and features installed on the system as of 2008 Server DHCP server, DNS server, file services, Domain services, etc. All these are available for the management and control with the click of a mouse. Very useful troubleshooting tools are also conveniently located in the Server Manager, such as Windows Firewall, Device Manager, Event Viewer and WMI Control. The new Windows Server Backup tool is also located here and will be further discussed, because it is a significant improvement in itself.

Click on any of the management tools inside> Server Manager, the administrator of a special home page, which provides information relevant to the role. Hence, more information is collected, what advice the understanding of the task or function and links to other useful tools that help administrators in almost every situation.

Terminal Services server goes hand in hand. This is the power that enables administrators to remotely configurePC. In previous versions, Terminal Services only allowed the whole system PC remotely deployed, rather than specific applications. The changes to version 2008 Server via the remote desktop client reworked, in which a user logs on to download and install the application without the administrator to oversee the operation.

Other improved Server 2008 Features

Windows Server Backup has been enhanced for faster backupsnew technologies. O server full or incremental backup, the IT staff will notice the difference from previous versions of Microsoft. Restoring a backup is much easier. Previously, this had to be done manually by multiple backup and an incremental backup was performed, but only the date of backups to choose the repair can take place.

Other improvements to the backup service in Server 2008,the ability to restore on another computer, if necessary, the possibility of applications and better planning to return to automate the daily backups. The backup service also allows for remote administration by adding the backup module to the Server Manager console.

Microsoft BitLocker is a new technology available in Server 2008. Debut with the release of Vista, BitLocker encrypts the entire hard drive as a first physicalline of defense against the physical theft of sensitive data that can be included inside. BitLocker provides peace of mind for the offices of the organizations in which physical security can not be what it is at the head office.

Another new feature is the read-only Domain Controller (RODC), which allows staff to set up the infrastructure of Active Directory read-only. This configuration includes the Active Directory replication is unidirectional, rather than two directions, as it isnormally configured. An organization could use this setting back the branch that takes you back to the central office may not be as fast or reliable. In this scenario, Active Directory is configured in a central office and then sent to remote sites before it is used.
The combination of configuration of Server Core, RODC and BitLocker provides a level of security in the Server 2008 version is impossible in a previous version. ConfigureMachines such as read-only ensures that data can not be compromised even if a hacker managed to penetrate the perimeter defenses. Although theft may occur when a server was stolen at a remote site, BitLocker ensures that data on the machine to decipher, making the checks for the RODC administrators to reconfigure the network, with a few mouse clicks.

Internet Information Services (IIS) technology is the server-side for the first time availableWindows NT 3.51 in 1995. With the full release in the seventh IIS Server 2008 for the first time, the service is completely configurable. Webmasters indicate precisely the services you want to allow - and what services you need out. All IIS 7 is also supported by new Server Manager console.

Versions and Licensing

different product editions of Windows Server 2008. A secondthe version is configured for each specific type of hardware platforms, such as 32-bit or 64-bit versions and are available with built-in virtualization, while others leave the function.

It 'important to the products of the different ways to know when the Microsoft server licenses purchased. The Microsoft Open Licence is for smaller customers with less than 250 desktop computers in their network. From five licenses can be purchased andwith these permits, the owner has the right to transfer images to different machines or transfer of a license to another machine.

Microsoft Volume Licensing is designed for networks with more than 250 computers. Within this group are held at different levels to provide flexible payment program. same rights under the Open License, but there are additional discounts for volume purchases.

Both types of licenses with the option to add Microsoft Softwareassurance plan that provides support for Microsoft products.

Software Assurance includes full support, including training and the ability to speak with representatives from Microsoft to assist in the creation and management software for Server 2008.
Software Assurance must not be forgotten in a Microsoft acquisition. With the purchase, software upgrades are included, in addition to the version of rights that guarantees the buyer the right, without additional costs, new editionsof goods purchased must be available during the duration of Software Assurance.

Web Server 2008

This version is configured for the device indicates the ability to function as a Web server and little else. This provision may not be the configuration of the domain controller and does not contain the new Microsoft virtualization technology, Hyper-V. However, Web Server 2008 is supported by a Server Core installation. Thisversion can be purchased in 32-bit or 64-bit and supports up to four processors.

Windows Server 2008 Standard

The standard version is equipped with all the basic features of the new improvements and technologies described in this article. It 'available in 32-bit and 64-bit and also supports up to four processors. The Standard Edition can be purchased with or without Hyper-V virtualization. If the version with virtualizationpurchased, it also comes with five client access licenses (CALs). It is worth noting that Hyper-V is available with 64-bit editions of Server 2008. A virtual copy can be configured with the standard edition.

Windows Server 2008 Itanium

The Itanium edition is fully customized for specific servers that work is how to run the database server or application. Itanium does not support Hyper-V, nor support for Server Core. It 's justAvailable in 64-Bit Edition, bought each processor to a maximum of 64 supported processors and supports up to 64 GB of RAM.

Windows Server 2008 Enterprise

Companies can also be purchased in editions 32-bit or 64-bit, with or without Hyper-V virtualization. At company level, 25 CALs standard with the installation and instead of a maximum of four processors, this edition is the support of eight. Enterprise also providessupport a much more system memory (RAM) with the increase in the number of processors supported: up to two terabytes versus standard 32-gigabyte version. Four cases are available with the Enterprise edition.

Windows Server 2008 Datacenter

Once again, the Datacenter version, purchased both a 32-bit or 64-bit and with or without Hyper-V virtualization support. In terms of licenses are purchased per processor and the Datacenterpurchasing organization is granted unlimited virtual instances. Datacenter Edition was purchased with the Enterprise edition for machines that can benefit from unlimited virtualized environments. The Datacenter Edition supports up to 64 processors to 64-Bit Edition.

It 's also interesting to note that the Hyper-V can be purchased as an add-on editions purchased without the feature. However, at a cost of only $ 28, it is almost unthinkable because someonewould choose to purchase Server 2008 at any level, without this technology.

Other editions should be available in the near future, Windows Small Business Server and Windows Essential Business Server. Both new releases, regardless of the specific configuration chosen, will be available only in 64-bit editions. As their names to show, the issues for SMEs with up to 50 workstations in the Small Business Edition and up to 250 jobsEssential Business Edition.

In addition, specific functionality within each issue are chosen by these new versions. Small Business Server will come with Server 2008 Standard, Exchange Server 2007, SharePoint Services 3.0, a one-year subscription to Forefront Security for Exchange Server and Windows Live OneCare, the all in one package. The Premium version contains all of the above and a copy of SQL Server 2008 and Server 2008Standard, which allows installation on two computers.

Windows Essential Business Server 2008 can be installed on three different machines and includes Server 2008, Exchange Server 2007, Forefront Security for Exchange Server, System Center Essentials 2007 and the next version of ISA Server and Internet Security, when available. The Premium edition adds SQL Server 2008.

See Also : Soil Permeability

How to Create a Windows NTP Network Time Server Configuration

Synchronization of computer is very important in modern computer networks, precision and timing is crucial in many applications, particularly time sensitive operations. Imagine buying an airline seat only to hear at the airport that the ticket was sold twice because it was then purchased a computer that had a slower clock!

modern computers have internal clocks called Real Time Clock chips (RTC), the date and information. Thischips supported the battery so that even during power outages, may time but personal computers are not designed to be perfect to keep the clocks. Their design has been optimized for mass production and low cost rather than maintaining accurate time.

For many applications this can be quite adequate, but often need time machines to be synchronized with other PCs on a network and when computers are not synchronized with every other problem may arise, Such as file-sharing networksor, in some environments even fraud!

Microsoft Windows 2000, a time synchronization tool built into the operating system called Windows Time (W32Time.exe) that can be configured to operate as a network server. Strongly Microsoft and others recommend a server when configured with a hardware source instead Internet, where there is no authentication.

If you configure the Windows Time service to the internal hardware clock, usefirst make sure W32Time is the list of system services in the registry to verify:

Click Start, Run and type regedit and click OK.

Locate and click the following registry entry:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetServicesW32Time

It is strongly recommended that you back up the registry as serious problems can occur if you modify the registry incorrectly, modifications to the registry at your own risk.

To begin configuring ainternal clock, click the following subkey:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetServicesW32TimeParameters

In the right pane, click ReliableTimeSource, click Change.

In the Edit DWORD Value, type 1 in the Value data box, click OK

Close the Registry Editor

To start the Windows Time Service click Start, Run (or alternatively use the operations command prompt).

Type net stop w32time & & net start W32Time

Then press Enter.

Alocal reset 'time on the computer, type the following on all computers except the time server which must not be synchronized with itself:

w32tm-s

To configure the Windows Time service to an external source, click Start, Run, type regedit and then click OK.

Locate the following subkey:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetServicesW32TimeParameters

In the right pane, click Type then click Modify, in edit Value type NTP in the Value dataand click OK.

Now, in the right pane, right-click ReliableTimeSource, click Change.

In the Edit DWORD Value window, under Value data, type 0, click OK.

NtpServer right mouse button in the right pane, click Edit.

In the Edit DWORD Value, type the Domain Name System (DNS), DNS, each unique.

Click OK.

For Windows 2000 Service Pack 4, set the settings to make this correctionfound:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetServicesW32TimeParameters

In the right pane, click MaxAllowedClockErrInSecs right, then change the Edit DWORD Value box, type a time when the second maximum number of seconds difference between the local clock and the received time from the NTP server to be considered a valid new time.

Click OK.

To find the polling interval:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetServicesW32TimeParameters

Inright pane, click Period, then click Edit.

In the Edit DWORD Value window, under Value data, type 24 then click OK

Close the Registry Editor

Click Start, then Run and type the following and press Enter:

Net stop w32time & & net start W32Time

To reset the local 'time of the computer, type the following on all computers except the time server which must not be synchronized with itself:

Network Time Protocol (NTP) is an Internet protocol used toaccurate transfer of time, time that the information together, so an exact time can be obtained

For the Network Time Protocol, NTPServer, locate and click:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetServicesW32TimeTimeProvidersNtpServer

In the right pane, click Enabled, then click Edit.

In the Edit DWORD Value, type 1 under Value data, click OK.

Now go back and clickon

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetServicesW32TimeParametersNtpServer

In the right pane, click NtpServer, then change the Edit DWORD Value data, type in the right pane, click NtpServer, then change the Edit DWORD Value data, type the Domain Name System (DNS), each DNS must be unique and need 0x1 to the end of each DNS name otherwise changes will not take effect.

Click OK.

Research andClick on the following

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetServicesW32TimeTimeProvidersNtpClientSpecialPollInterval

In the right pane, click Special Poll Interval, click Edit.

In the Edit DWORD Value window, under Value data, type the number of seconds you want for each poll, ie 900 will poll every 15 minutes, and then click OK.

To configure correction, found:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetServicesW32Timeconfig

LawMaxPosPhaseCorrection right mouse button, then change the Edit DWORD Value box, under Base, click Decimal, under Value data, type a time in seconds such as 3600 (one hour) then click OK.

Now go back and click:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetServicesW32Timeconfig

In the right pane, click MaxNegPhaseCorrection, then change.

In the Edit DWORD Value window below, click Decimal in the Value data type the time in seconds that you want to poll such as 3600 (in pollshour)

Close the Registry Editor

Now it is time to restart Windows, click Start, Run (or alternatively use the command prompt facility) and type:

net stop w32time & & net start W32Time

And on each computer, other than the time server, type:

W32tm / s

And this is the time server should be up and running now.

Friends Link : Preview Games Console XBOX 360 Hardware Store Save!

Set Up FTP Server Using FileZilla on Windows 7

FTP stands for File Transfer Protocol, if you want to know more about it, you can check it out at Wikipedia. FTP is actually getting less popular nowadays as users have lots of other protocols to exchange files, P2P especially BT. FTP, however, is still playing a very important role.

Let's say, if you have a file that's about 300MB and you would like to send it over to your friend oversea immediately. What would you do? Usually emails have attachment limit (usually it's not as high as 300MB) and it will be extremely slow and unstable if you try to transfer over instant messenger software like MSN. The best solution will be setting up your own FTP server at home and authorize your friend to download from your computer. Mind as well, you can set up an account so that you can view all of your files and grab them wherever you go.

If have already set up your remote desktop at home, you will probably leave the computer on 24*7 just so that you can access it any time you want. Or if you have a spare computer like I do, why don't you try to make use of it? I am going to show you how you can make your computer into a FTP server.

After trying a couple of the FTP server software, the freeware FileZilla Server became my choice.

OK, let's get started.

The first thing you will need to do is to install the package you just downloaded (from the above link); the installation is quite straight forward and I am not going to get into too detail.

Upon successful installation, FileZilla server will launch and you should be able to see the following interface:

Before we go ahead and set it up the ports, we would like to add a user to make sure it works. We will go to choose from "Edit-->Users" (Or there is a shortcut icon right underneath the "Edit" on the menu bar.)

I created a user named "anonymous", and I make sure the "Password" field is uncheck because I would like to make this as my public FTP account that visitors could download from my FTP server. If you would like to set up other accounts, make sure your "Password" filed is checked to enforce a secure login. For different users, you can assign different path, or you can just create a group and assign the path to all members in that group.

On the left hand side, you will see the "Shared folders", you can specify the folder path you would like "anonymous" to look at as well as the permission you would like to grant. Once it's done, click OK.

Note: The shared folder directories is the root folder that the selected user (in this case, it's "anonymous") could see, but any folders contained by root folders are also visible to this user.

The common thing Windows users would probably miss while setting up FileZilla is the Firewall. Over the installation, even though you grant permission for FileZilla server to access your computer resources, there is something not quite correctly set up.

Browse to your firewall setting, you should be able to find FileZilla Server Interface might be in the allow list; however, this is the problem. We should allow the FileZilla Server core instead of the interface. The interface is just the UI for end users like you and me to access the core program. So we click add to choose "FileZilla Server" from the installation folder:

Now it should be OK.

If you have two or more computers at home, you can give it a test now. First find out your internal IP address. If you don't know how to do it, check my previous post, set up your remote desktop. For example, I found that my server's internal IP is 192.168.1.111, then on the other computer, I simply type in ftp://192.168.1.111.

Note: If you have a different port other than port 21, let's say you have port 22, you should type in ftp://192.168.1.111:22 if you don't know what port it is, it's actually under setting-->General setting: If it works for you, we will move on; otherwise, please read the instructions again or ask me.

FTP server is meant to be exit in a network, if you just try to set it up at home, then you are done; but according to the situations I introduced in my first paragraphs, I do want to make it global.

Like a Remote Desktop, we will also need to set up port forwarding. In my case, since my FileZilla Server is on Port 21 on my computer, I will need to somehow forward the FTP request onto this port. Ideally, it would be great if we can set up port 21 as external port because every time we type in the address, we don't need to type in the port number (Browser's default FTP port is port 21). However, most of the ISP (Internet Service Provider), for example I use Telus, block port 21. We will need to find an alternate port as our external port:

I set up Port 5050 as my external port and all FTP request through this port will be redirect to Port 21 on my server. I am using D-Link DIR-825, if you have different router, please refer to the instruction on your manual.

If you set up your Dynamic DNS, then you are already done, if not, please go back and read my post; it's extremely easy.

Let's say you have your Dynamic DNS name as myServerAtHome.no-ip.org, then when you are outside, you can simply type in ftp://myServerAtHome.no-ip.org:5050, but if you are at home, you can just type in ftp://192.168.1.111.

You can use your browsers to visit your FTP server, however, I do recommend you to use FTP software. FileZilla Server is a great FTP server and they do have client software too. You can check FileZilla's website; if you haven't got one, why don't you try FileZilla Client?

Friends Link : Remote Console Wireless Fence Blu Ray Disks

Securing IIS 6.0 Web Server on Windows 2003

Hacking a Web Server
With the advent of Windows 2003 and IIS 6.0 there was a sharp turn in the way hosting services were being provided on Windows platform few years back. Today, web servers running on Internet Information Services 6.0 (IIS 6.0) are highly popular worldwide - thanks to the .NET and AJAX revolution for designing web applications. Unfortunately, this also makes IIS web servers a popular target amongst hacking groups and almost every day we read about the new exploits being traced out and patched. That does not mean that Windows is not as secured as Linux. In fact, it's good that we see so many patches being released for Windows platform as it clearly shows that the vulnerabilities have been identified and blocked.

Many server administrators have a hard time coping up with patch management on multiple servers thus making it easy for hackers to find a vulnerable web server on the Internet. One good way I have found to ensure servers are patched is to use Nagios to run an external script on a remote host, in turn alerting on the big screen which servers need patches and a reboot after the patch has been applied. In other words, it is not a difficult task for an intruder to gain access to a vulnerable server if the web server is not secured and then compromise it further to an extent that there is no option left for the administrator but to do a fresh OS install and restore from backups.
Many tools are available on the Internet which allows an experienced or a beginner hacker to identify an exploit and gain access to a web server. The most common of them are:

IPP (Internet Printing Protocol) - which makes use of the IPP buffer overflow. The hacking application sends out an actual string that overflows the stack and opens up a window to execute custom shell code. It connects the CMD.EXE file to a specified port on the attacker's side and the hacker is provided with a command shell and system access.

UNICODE and CGI-Decode - where the hacker uses the browser on his or her computer to run malicious scripts on the targeted server. The script is executed using the IUSR_ account also called the "anonymous account" in IIS. Using this type of scripts a directory transversal attack can be performed to gain further access to the system.

Over these years, I've seen that most of the time, attacks on a IIS web server result due to poor server administration, lack of patch management, bad configuration of security, etc. It is not the OS or the application to blame but the basic configuration of the server is the main culprit. I've outlined below a checklist with an explanation to each item. These if followed correctly would help prevent lot of web attacks on an IIS web server.

Secure the Operating System
The first step is to secure the operating system which runs the web server. Ensure that the Windows 2003 Server is running the latest service pack which includes a number of key security enhancements.

Always use NTFS File System
NTFS file system provides granular control over user permissions and lets you give users only access to what they absolutely need on a file or inside a folder.

Remove Unwanted Applications and Services
The more applications and services that you run on a server, the larger the attack surface for a potential intruder. For example, if you do not need File and Printer sharing capabilities on your shared hosting platform, disable that service.

Use Least Privileged Accounts for Service
Always use the local system account for starting services. By default Windows Server 2003 has reduced the need for service accounts in many instances, but they are still necessary for some third-party applications. Use local system accounts in this case rather than using a domain account. Using a local system account means you are containing a breach to a single server.

Rename Administrator and Disable Guest
Ensure that the default account called Guest is disabled even though this is a less privileged account. Moreover, the Administrator account is the favorite targets for hackers and most of the malicious scripts out there use this to exploit and vulnerable server. Rename the administrator account to something else so that the scripts or programs that have a check for these accounts hard-coded fail.

Disable NetBIOS over TCP/IP and SMB
NetBIOS is a broadcast-based, non-routable and insecure protocol, and it scales poorly mostly because it was designed with a flat namespace. Web servers and Domain Name System (DNS) servers do not require NetBIOS and Server Message Block (SMB). This protocol should be disabled to reduce the threat of user enumeration.

To disable NetBIOS over TCP/IP, right click the network connection facing the Internet and select Properties. Open the Advanced TCP/IP settings and go to the WINS tab. The option for disabling NetBIOS TCP/IP should be visible now.

To disable SMB, simply uncheck the File and Print Sharing for Microsoft Networks and Client for Microsoft Networks. A word of caution though - if you are using network shares to store content skip this. Only perform this if you are sure that your Web Server is a stand-alone server.

Schedule Patch Management
Make a plan for patch management and stick to it. Subscribe to Microsoft Security Notification Service (http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/notify.asp) to stay updated on the latest release of patches and updates from Microsoft. Configure your server's Automatic Update to notify you on availability of new patches if you would like to review them before installation.

Run MBSA Scan
This is one of the best way to identify security issues on your servers. Download the Microsoft Base Line Security tool and run it on the server. It will give you details of security issues with user accounts, permissions, missing patches and updates and much more.

That's it to the basic of securing the operating system. There are more fixes which can be performed for further securing the server but they are beyond the scope of this article. Let's now move on to securing the IIS web server.

IIS 6.0 when setup is secured by default. When we say this, it means that when a fresh installation of IIS is done, it prevents scripts from running on the web server unless specified. When IIS is first installed, it serves only HTML pages and all dynamic content is blocked by default. This means that the web server will not serve or parse dynamic pages like ASP, ASP.NET, etc. Since that is not what a web server is meant to do, the default configuration is changed to allow these extensions. Listed below are some basic points that guide you to securing the web server further:

Latest Patches and Updates
Ensure that the latest patches, updates and service packs have been installed for .NET Framework. These patches and updates fix lot of issues which enhances the security of the web server.

Isolate Operating System
Do not run your web server from the default InetPub folder. If you have the option to partition your hard disks then use the C: drive for Operating System files and store all your client web sites on another partition. Relocate web root directories and virtual directories to a non-system partition to help protect against directory traversal attacks.

IISLockDown Tool
There are some benefits to this tool and there are some drawbacks, however, so use it cautiously. If your web server interacts with other servers, test the lockdown tool to make sure it is configured so that connectivity to backend services is not lost.

Permissions for Web Content
Ensure that Script Source Access is never enabled under a web site's property. If this option is enabled, users can access source files. If Read is selected, source can be read; if Write is selected, source can be written to. To ensure that it is disabled, open IIS, right click the Websites folder and select Properties. Clear the check box if it is enabled and propagate it to all child websites.

Enable Only Required Web Server Extensions
IIS 6.0 by default does not allow any dynamic content to be parsed. To allow a dynamic page to be executed, you need to enable the relevant extension from the Web Service Extensions property page. Always ensure that "All Unknown CGI Extensions" and "All Unknown ISAPI Extensions" are disabled all the time. If WebDAV and Internet Data Connector are not required, disable that too.

Disable Parent Paths
This is the worst of all and thanks to Microsoft, it is disabled in IIS 6.0 by default. The Parent Paths option permits programmers to use ".." in calls to functions by allowing paths that are relative to the current directory using the ..notation. Setting this property to True may constitute a security risk because an include path can access critical or confidential files outside the root directory of the application. Since most of the programmers and third-party readymade applications use this notation, I leave it up to you to decide if this needs to be enabled or disabled. The workaround to Parent Paths is to use the Server.MapPath option in your dynamic scripts.

Disable Default Web Site
If not required, stop the Default Web Site which is created when IIS 6.0 is installed or change the property of Default Web Site to run on a specific IP address along with a Host Header. Never keep it running on All Unassigned as most of the ready-made hacking packages identify a vulnerable web server from IP address rather than a domain name. If your Default Web Site is running on All Unassigned, it means that it can serve content over an IP address in the URL rather than the domain name.

Use Application Isolation
I like this feature in IIS 6.0 which allows you to isolate applications in application pools. By creating new application pools and assigning web sites and applications to them, you can make your server more efficient and reliable as it ensures that other applications or sites do not get affected due to a faulty application running under that pool.

Summary
All of the aforementioned IIS tips and tools are natively available in Windows. Don't forget to try just one at a time before you test your Web accessibility. It could be disastrous if all of these were implemented at the same time making you wonder what is causing a problem in case you start having issues.

Final tip: Go to your Web server and Run "netstat -an" (without quotes) at the command line. Observe how many different IP addresses are trying to gain connectivity to your machine, mostly via port 80. If you see that you have IP addresses established at a number of higher ports, then you've already got a bit of investigating to do.

Visit : All In Ones Printers Store

Setup DHCP on a Windows Server

DHCP as you may know is Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol and it gives hosts on a network all of the IP information they need to communicate. IP Address, Subnet Mast, Gateway Address, DNS servers and WINS server addresses. For ease of administration DHCP is a great feature for small businesses to help setup their computer network quickly and easily without a lot of hassle. If you are using a Windows server for a file server, domain server, application server, or for pretty much any other reason you can add DHCP functionality for no cost.

First lets quickly go over how DHCP works because it is very simple in the flow and functionality of it. First we configure the server and we create a "pool" of IP addresses, normally this will be something like 192.168.1.100 to 192.168.1.200 depending on how many computers you are going to potentially have connect. As you can see with the IP addresses we specified we can have 100 computers connect using DHCP. Then we specify on the server what the subnet mask, gateway, and DNS addresses are going to be. Now when a client computer connects to your network via wire or wireless his computer will send out a "packet" basically saying "hey are there any DHCP servers out there to give me an address?" and obviously the server will respond back with a packet "yes, here you can use 192.168.1.105" and now the client computer has a working IP address and can communicate on the network. The DHCP server keeps track of what IP addresses it hands out based on the clients MAC address.

Now that we have an understanding of how DHCP works lets talk about configuring it on a Windows server. First thing is to make sure that the DHCP feature is installed and you can check this by seeing it Windows will allow you to configure DHCP, if not then you don`t have it installed. To install DHCP simply goto "Control Panel" then "Add Remove Programs" and on the left side select "Add/Remove Windows Components". Scroll down until you see "Networking Services" highlight it and click the details button. Then scroll down until you see "Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP)" and check the box to the left and click "OK" then click "Next" and DHCP will be installed on your server. One thing to remember is if DHCP is not installed on your server already you will need the Windows Server CDs to install DHCP.

Now that we have DHCP installed on our server we can configure it by simply using the console. So click "Start" then "Run" and type "MMC" in the text box and click "OK" and a Console window will appear. Click "File" "Add/Remove Snap-in" or simply press CTRL+M and then click "Add..." and a list of all the services you can configure will show up and you want to select."DHCP" and click "Add". Once you do that you can back out by clicking "Close" and then "OK" and you should now see a DHCP menu on the left side of the console.

Double click on DHCP on the left side and choose your server. Now we need to create what is called a scope since you can actually run multiple scopes on a single DHCP server. Right click on your server under DHCP on the left hand side and choose new scope. You will be prompted with a "New Scope Wizard" to walk you through everything. Choose a name for your DHCP scope and then click next and choose your range of IP addresses you want to use and define you subnet mask. Default subnet mask is usually 24 in length or 255.255.255.0. Next you can choose addresses to exclude, this is a good idea if you are going to have some equipment with static addresses set within your IP range. Next you will want to select how long you want your lease to be and the default is 8 days. If you are going to have a few computers that will always be connected then 8 days is probably fine. If you are setting up like a wireless hot spot where a lot of different clients will be connecting you probably want to make the lease about 8 hours instead of 8 days. Click next and then click next again and you scope has now been created and your clients can get an address via DHCP.

Tags : Cool Cell Phones Store Save! Wireless Barcode

Free Windows Server Antivirus Software

Those of us in the server maintenance field know how expensive server software can be.  In many ways server software is like the restaurant industry, if you slap the "restaurant grade" label to a standard refrigerator the price goes up 300%. The same thing happens when you need "server backup" or other "server" software.  Luckily there are FREE alternatives out there.
 
ClamWin is an open source program designed to work on Microsoft Windows operating systems.  ClamWin will run on Windows 98/ME/2000/xp and 2003 versions.  ClamWin is based on the open source ClamAV engine but with a graphical interface to make it much more user friendly.  The only downside to using ClamWin is that it does not offer any real-time protection. In other words, it does not scan your system unless you ask it to.  If you have less critical systems in your server room like a backup DNS or DHCP server then this could be a possible solution for you.  As long as you schedule a scan manually as often as you feel it is needed, this could save you some bucks the next time your antivirus renewal comes up.
 
I would not recommend ClamWin for a critical production server.  You don't want to risk critical systems to an antivirus solution that doesn't scan real-time.  For all those other servers and all those older computers that are not used to access the internet (you know, the ones that are sitting in the basement, used by someone just to open that 10 year old application that no one will spend the money to upgrade), ClamWin could be the solution to save you a few licenses the next time you renew your AV software.

Visit : Spine Disc

Windows Small Business Server 2008 Standard and Premium Editions Exceeding Expectations

Microsoft recently announced the release of Windows Small Business Server 2008 Standard and Premium Editions scheduled for release on November 12, 2008.

The release of Server 2008 marks one of the most significant upgrades Microsoft has made to its server line of software. Perhaps only the release of Windows 2000 was a more significant advance to the product line. Before the release of Windows 2000, only NT 4.0 was available for servers.

The new technologies present within Server 2008 will prove to be more beneficial to businesses than previous releases.

Small Business Server 2008 Standard and Premium Editions

Server 2008 marks the first release of a new Microsoft server product since Server 2003 R2. The innovations in the new release have been well worth the wait. With the release, as with Vista, Microsoft makes full use of the 64-bit processing environment that has been around for several years now.

Some of the key advances in the new release are an upgrade to the Active Directory (AD) infrastructure, which has been around since Windows 2000 was released. However, many features within Server 2008 are quite powerful and have taken the newest Microsoft server OS in a radically different direction.

The Small Business Server 2008 Standard Edition comes bundled with Microsoft Exchange Server 2007, Windows SharePoint Services 3.0, Windows Server Update Services 3.0, Microsoft Forefront Security for Exchange Server, Windows Live OneCare for Server and Integration with Office Live Small Business.

The Small Business Server 2008 Premium Edition includes all of the products in the Standard edition plus Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Standard for Small Business.

Server Core

Server Core is one of these radically new features. Server Core allows for a minimal version of Server 2008 to be installed on machines that only need specific functionality. For example, Server Core can be configured to take on common functions that servers normally perform such as those of the DHCP server, DNS server, file server and Active Directory, as well as operations such as streaming media, print services or even Windows virtualization.

Server Core is meant for the use of network administrators and server management personnel who could develop a highly specialized and efficient computing environment utilizing Server Core. A Server Core installation is very different from other Microsoft OS installations on a PC or server. The interface is minimal - mostly by command line, though a Task Manager or Notepad window can be called up.

IT professionals will appreciate a Server Core installation where it is needed. Maintenance under such an installation is at an absolute minimum since the server on which the software is installed is only focused on one particular function rather than the multiple functions on a full installation of Server 2008. There are also inherently less vulnerabilities for a would-be hacker to exploit under this setup, so security is a breeze. The simpler installation also guarantees less software bugs arising when they are least expected - such as when an application is installed that is not fully compatible with Microsoft software.

Considering all these benefits to a minimal installation, it becomes obvious that the management time involved with these specialized servers is also considerably reduced. Less management time translates into less maintenance by IT staff or, at least, a staff that does not waste time making sure the firewall is holding up or pinpointing a problem through multiple functions on a typical server.

Hyper-V

Also in Server 2008 is the Hyper-V option, which enhances Microsoft's presence in the world of virtualization. Virtualization allows for a single machine to take on the functions of two or more machines, utilizing resources simultaneously without causing overlap or conflict. Virtualization has so many benefits to the business world that they are difficult to number. The reduced number of machines in a virtual environment can save money for a business in many different ways. Fewer machines use less power in less space and can be effectively managed by fewer employees.

Today's machines can handle the additional functionality that virtualization demands; oftentimes processor capacity, primary memory and hard drive space are wasted or never even used. Virtualizing a server environment is a trend we will continue to see over the next decade.
Microsoft's previous virtualization release, Virtual Server, uses a popular virtualization technique called "host-based virtualization" where the primary OS installation runs a service called "Virtual Machine Monitor" (VMM) that provides the virtual environment to another operating system.

Hyper-V functions in a completely different way by using a hypervisor. A hypervisor creates an abstraction layer at the boot level, performing only minimal functions of the kernel, then abstracting the environment required to run multiple operating systems and their associated applications on top of the kernel. This translates into a much faster and more scalable virtual environment than the VMM methodology.

However, an important consideration is that Hyper-V is largely hardware dependent. To fully take advantage of the speed and scalability of a Hyper-V virtualization infrastructure from Microsoft typically requires hardware acceleration. This type of hardware is not uncommon, however. Examples of such are the AMD Pacifica and Intel VT extensions of their respective Opteron and Xeon processors.

Setting up a VM through Hyper-V is a breeze with the Wizard, and console access to the virtualized environments is simple and expedient. Hyper-V is built into the Server 2008 release and is managed just as print and file services are, so configuring and management are also very simple and familiar for those experienced with previous versions of Microsoft Server.

Easier Server Management

Previous server installations had a separate management console for each role contained within the Manage Your Server dashboard. Manage Your Server was a convenient enhancement over previous server releases where management consoles were not all so neatly gathered together. However, with Server 2008, this convenience is taken a step further with the completely new Server Manager.

With Server Manager, system administrators have a one-stop shop for server management for the first time. It is very likely that for a majority of the time, IT staff won't ever need to use another tool to manage the Server 2008 system, and they will be very thankful for it. Once again, with this tool, Microsoft lessens the time it takes to perform simple tasks.

Within Server Manager are the roles and functions installed on the Server 2008 system such as the DHCP server, DNS server, file services, domain services, etc. All of them are available for management and monitoring at the click of a mouse. Very handy troubleshooting tools are also conveniently located within Server Manager such as Windows Firewall, Device Manager, Event Viewer and WMI Control. The completely new Windows Server Backup tool is also located here and will be discussed further, as it is a considerable enhancement in its own right.

Clicking on any of the management tools located within Server Manager takes the administrator to a dedicated home page, which provides pertinent information to the role in question. From here, more information can be gathered such as troubleshooting tips, further knowledge about the task or function and links to other helpful tools that help administrators in virtually any particular situation.

Terminal Services goes hand in hand with server administration. This is the capability that allows administrators to remotely configure PCs. In previous releases, Terminal Services only allowed the entire PC installation to be deployed remotely, rather than specific applications. The changes with the Server 2008 release are through the rehashed Remote Desktop client, where a user logs in to download and install the application without the administrator having to oversee the operation.

Other Enhanced Server 2008 Features

Windows Server Backup has been enhanced for faster backups with new technology. Whether servers are fully backed up or incrementally backed up, IT staff will notice the difference from earlier versions of Microsoft Server. Restoration from a backup has also been made much easier. Previously, this had to be done manually from multiple backups if an incremental backup had been performed, but now only the date of the backup has to be chosen for the restoration to occur.

Other enhancements to the backup service in Server 2008 include the ability to recover the operating system on another machine if necessary, the ability to recover applications and improved scheduling for the automation of daily backups. The backup service also allows for remote administration by adding the backup snap-in to the Server Manager console.

BitLocker is another new Microsoft technology available in Server 2008. First debuting with the Vista release, BitLocker allows for the encryption of entire physical hard drives as a first line of defense against physical theft of sensitive data that may be contained within. BItLocker provides more peace of mind for organizations that have branch offices where physical security may not be what it is at the central office.

Another new function is the Read-Only Domain Controller (RODC) that allows IT staff to configure the Active Directory infrastructure as read-only. Such a configuration keeps Active Directory replication unidirectional, rather than bidirectional, as it is normally configured. An organization could use this setup once again in the branch office location where connections back to the central office may not be as fast or as reliable. In this situation, Active Directory would be configured at the central office and then sent out to remote sites before it is accessed.
Combining configurations of Server Core, BitLocker and RODC provides a level of security in the Server 2008 release impossible in prior releases. Configuring machines as read-only guarantees the data cannot be compromised even if a hacker were able to penetrate perimeter defenses. Also, if a theft were to occur in which a server was stolen at a remote site, BitLocker guarantees the data contained on the machine to be indecipherable, while RODC controls allow for administrators to reconfigure the network with a few clicks of the mouse.

Internet Information Services (IIS) is the server-side technology that first became available with Windows NT 3.51 back in 1995. With the seventh full release of IIS available for the first time in Server 2008, the service becomes fully configurable. Web administrators specify precisely which services they would like to enable - and which services they would like to disable. All of IIS 7 is also supported by the new Server Manager console.

Versions and Licensing

Several different product editions of Windows Server 2008 are available. Depending upon the version, each type is configured for specific hardware platforms, such as 32 bit or 64 bit, and versions are available with virtualization capability built in, while others leave the function out.

It is important to understand Microsoft's different available methods of licensing when purchasing server products. The Microsoft Open License is intended for smaller customers with less than 250 desktop computers in their network. As few as five licenses can be purchased and with these licenses, the owner has the right to transfer images to different machines or transfer a license to another machine.

Microsoft Volume Licensing is intended for networks serving more than 250 computers. Within this group are several account levels that offer flexible payment scheduling. The same rights are established as with the Open License, but there are added discounts for the volume purchases.

Both types of licensing come with the option to add Microsoft's Software Assurance plan, which provides maintenance for Microsoft products.

Software Assurance includes comprehensive support including training and the ability to speak with Microsoft representatives to assist in deploying and managing Server 2008 software.
Software Assurance should not be overlooked in any Microsoft purchase. With the purchase, software upgrades are included in addition to Version Rights, which guarantees the purchaser the right, at no extra charge, to new editions of the product purchased should one become available during the length of the Software Assurance contract.

Web Server 2008

This version is specifically configured to give a machine the ability to function as a Web server and little else. This setup does not allow the domain controller configuration and does not include Microsoft's new virtualization technology, Hyper-V. However, Web Server 2008 does support a Server Core installation. This version can be purchased either in the 32-bit or 64-bit editions and supports a maximum of four processors.

Windows Server 2008 Standard

The Standard version comes with all basic functionality of the new enhancements and technologies described in this article. It is available in 32-bit and 64-bit versions and also supports a maximum of four processors. The Standard edition can be purchased with or without Hyper-V virtualization. If the version with virtualization is purchased, it also comes with five Client Access Licenses (CALs). It is worth noting that Hyper-V is only available with 64-bit editions of Server 2008. One virtual instance can be configured with the Standard edition.

Windows Server 2008 Itanium

The Itanium edition is highly customized for specific-function servers that perform either as database or application servers. Itanium does not support Hyper-V, nor does it support Server Core. It is only available in the 64-bit edition, is purchased per processor up to a maximum of 64 supported processors and supports up to 64 gigabytes of RAM.

Windows Server 2008 Enterprise

Enterprise can also be purchased in 32-bit or 64-bit editions and with or without Hyper-V virtualization. At the Enterprise level, 25 CALs come standard with the installation and instead of the maximum of four processors, this edition allows for the support of eight. Enterprise also allows for support of a great deal more system memory (RAM) with the increased number of processors supported: two terabytes versus the maximum of 32 gigabytes in the Standard edition. Four instances are available with the Enterprise edition.

Windows Server 2008 Datacenter

Once again, the Datacenter version can be purchased to support either 32 bit or 64 bit and with or without Hyper-V virtualization. At the Datacenter level, licensing is purchased per processor and with the purchase, an organization is granted unlimited virtual instances. The Datacenter edition is purchased in conjunction with the Enterprise edition for machines that could benefit from unlimited virtualized environments. The Datacenter edition supports up to 64 processors in the 64-bit edition.

It is also worth noting that Hyper-V technology can be purchased as an add-on to editions purchased without the functionality. However, at a cost of only $28, it is almost inconceivable why anyone would choose to purchase Server 2008, at any level, without this technology.

Other editions expected to become available in the near future are Windows Small Business Server and Windows Essential Business Server. Both these new editions, no matter the specific configuration chosen, will only be available in 64-bit editions. As their names portray, these editions are targeted for SMBs with up to 50 desktops in the Small Business edition and up to 250 desktops in the Essential Business edition.

Additionally, specific functionality within each edition can be chosen with these new versions. Small Business Server Standard will come with Server 2008, Exchange Server 2007, SharePoint Services 3.0, a one-year subscription to Forefront Security for Exchange Server and Windows Live OneCare, all in one package. The Premium version will include all the above plus another copy of Server 2008 and SQL Server 2008 Standard, which allows for installation on two machines.

Windows Essential Business Server 2008 can be installed on three different machines and includes Server 2008, Exchange Server 2007, Forefront Security for Exchange Server, System Center Essentials 2007, and the next release of Acceleration Server and Internet Security when they become available. The Premium version also adds SQL Server 2008.

My Links : Port Hub Polar Heart Rate Watches

An Introduction to Windows Dedicated Servers

Most of you must be aware that, you have direct access to the dedicated web server. Though usually most users manage their servers using the control panel of ftp (for shared hosting accounts). One has the complete access to the server, complete access would mean direct root access.

In the segment of dedicated servers, you have the option to choose between two alternatives viz Windows and Linux Dedicated Servers.

But, if your website is coded using ASP or dot NET technology, then you compulsorily choose Windows Servers as these areMicrosoft technologies and can work only on Win web server platform. Whereas if your site is developed using HTML or Flash, then you might think of choosing Linux dedicated servers as well. The servers OS platform would make difference in that case.

A web server which is Windows based, offers you an environment to host your website over IIS servers usually Windows 2003. You get to experience the IIS 7 version, whereas the Windows 2008 offers a higher version of IIS server environment. One of the benefits of using Windows server, is that it allows the developers an environment with better development tools.

Frontpage application is usually pre installed on Windows servers. With this, the website updation is much simpler and faster as well. With it you can update the website in real time. The other popular utility of Windows is ASP. This is a scripting language offered by Microsoft. It offers the feature of developing rich, attractive and dynamic websites.

My Links : Cool Phones Review Qwerty Mobile Audio Integrated Amplifier