This review covers chapter 16-17 of Eriq Neale’s SBS2K3 unleashed book. Chapter 16 is entitled Users and Computer and chapter 17 is entitled Integrating the Macintosh into a SBS2K3 Environment. Both of these chapters are chock full of information.

 

Chapter 16 covers users and computers in case you couldn’t have guessed! ;-> The chapter begins by showing the differences between an administrator and a power user. A nice table summarizes all the abilities each one has. Adding users via the wizard comes next. ADUC can be used to add users manually, but you can get strange results if you choose this method. The wizard sets up all the proper permissions and puts the users in the right OU for SBS2K3. User permissions can be changed by running the wizard or manually if one chooses, but why make it harder than you have to?

 

User templates are next discussed as well as creating and modifying templates. These templates are the key to the wizard for properly setting up users via the wizards. Disk and mail quotas are discussed in a couple of pages.

 

Managing computers is discussed next. Computers can be setup at the same time as you setup users or you can go back and do them separately. Another nice table is shown that shows the differences between administrators and power users access to computer management tools. Out of 12 areas, power users can only perform 4 of them. Setting up computers though ADUC is discussed. Assigning applications to computers is also looked at. The code that is created by the wizards is also shown in the book. Connect Computer wizard is briefly looked at on pp. 391-393. Finally, adding servers via the wizard is discussed and then a troubleshooting section closes this chapter.

 

Chapter 17 is all about the Mac. For those of us ignorant about the Macintosh, I am chief among us, this chapter covers it all! This chapter is pretty long. It is 39 pages long. It has a lot of words and pictures. This is good. If you need to setup a Mac on your SBS2K3 network, buy this book just for this chapter. The chapter starts with sharing files. Various services have to be setup on your server before it can talk to the apple and share files. Installing these file services is discussed in very good detail. Creating shares is also talked about. If a windows share is setup already, you will need to readd the share so the files can be seen by all. Microsoft UAM needs to be added to all Macs on the network.

 

Appletalk has to be added as the protocol for OS9 and earlier. This chapter will show you all that you need depending on the OS you have on your Mac. Directory access is in here and then connecting to the server.  Numerous methods are discussed to connect to the server again, depending on the OS. Accessing Exchange is then shown using POP3 and IMAP and using various clients all the way to Entourage. RWW, VPN and RDP are then looked at and then a nice summary and best practices close this lengthy and in-depth chapter.

 

I will next start with chapter 18 which covers back up. Be sure to stay tuned. I hope you enjoyed this review and I hope you will come back soon.

            I just completed chapter 10 which is entitled Workstation Security. This chapter covers a lot of tools and begins with a discussion about risk. You have three choices concerning risk. They are: accept it, mitigate it or transfer it. These choices have associated costs with them and so they should be discussed with the business owner.

 

            Service Pack 2 is a great tool for XP. It automatically has the Windows Firewall turned on. Some think it is a pain, but others have had their bacon saved by this feature. Active X can be better controlled in IE now. Group policy is weaved throughout this chapter. Many examples are given that will allow you to use gpedit to set policies to control most of these tools.

 

            Outlook Express now understands that HTML e-mail can be bad on a workstation and network. Memory protection is now built-in. Automatic updates are not new, but they are here and help you to properly patch systems. Page 204 talks about the security center and it gives some great advice. Just remember this; netstat –ano.

 

            If it is possible, do not let users run as an administrator on their workstations. If they have to for some applications, use Runas, but do not run full bore as Administrator all the time. Setting up a security group is discussed in order to help you establish group policies for many of these tools.

 

            The chapter then talks about anti-virus tools. It is agnostic on which you should use, but it does discuss the “hot” ones and tells you to use it, learn it and love it. That way, you can support it. Anti-spyware tools are also discussed. These tools are sort of the same and the author makes the point that bad code is bad code and virii and spyware are two sides of the same coin. Perhaps one day, these tools will meld into one and make cleaning systems more efficient.

 

            The managed office is looked at and Office as a tool is discussed. Many GP’s can be set for Office and they are discussed here is several tables. Definitely worth looking at. The educated user is your friend. Protecting data from external and internal forces is also discussed.

 

            Pages 221-222 are worth their weight in gold. Do you need to put together a toolkit to use at clients sites? Here you can build CD’s or flash drives with many tools that can help you troubleshoot network and workstation issues.

 

            This chapter was an easy read for me. I truly enjoyed it and found too many tools and nuggets to mention. Pick this book up for this chapter alone. I hope you have enjoyed this review. I will now head on to chapter 16. Please come back and tell your friends. Thanks for visiting.

     Hello again everyone! Long time, no type. Where have I been you may ask? Well, I've been studying the SBS stuff from a number of other books, I've had a 2 week driving vacation that took me 5,021.4 miles in 13 days and I have been trying to complete a migration for a client. I plan to start back at chapter 10 and then go chapters 16-24 and review them here. I'll probably do each chapter individually.

 

     It is often hard to find all the time I need, but I do plan to get more dedicated and try to get this done for you and me! I am going to begin reading chapter 10 right after I get done here typing this up. Then as the week goes on I'll start chapter 16 and go forward. I actually read the final two chapters, 23-24 which cover ISA 2K4 back when I needed to learn it for a job. However, I will read them fresh to review them for you. After I complete this book, I hope to review some of the others I have obtained from nerdbooks. Without further adieu, I appreciate you reading this and writing me. Take care and please check back often. Thanks for understanding.

Are you ready for another exciting review? Here we go.

 

     I did start back at chapter 6 after going through Exchange last time. I then jumped a bit ahead again as I am trying to bone up on some information I need for a client migration this week. I hope you enjoy this review.

 

     Chapter 6 - Covers IIS in pretty good detail. IIS is so intertwined with virtually every piece of SBS, it is imperative that it be understood by the administrator. Everything from RWW to Exchange, Companyweb and practically every other nook and cranny of SBS is reliant on this technology called IIS 6. The chapter takes you through all the settings that you need for all the above areas. It even covers backing up the entire metabase and sites too. Virtual directories are discussed and certificates are in this section as well. You can create your own certificate, but you will need to have your browser trust it or answer yes everytime you go to your site. The chapter finishes up with some good basic troubleshooting tips.

 

     Chapter 7 - Covers RRAS, VPN and firewalls. This chapter is only 17 pages long, but it does cover the basics. The RRAS firewall is covered mainly in this chapter. There is another chapter in the back of the book that covers ISA2004 which of course is your firewall if you have it installed. That's why RRAS is covered here! All the necessary ports are covered that SBS uses to route successfully. VPN's are covered next and the raging debate over them is also discussed. Many SBS'ers do not think VPN is necessary and can even create other risks as more ports are opened. This chapter covers that risk and debate. With RWW, OWA and the like, why would you use a VPN on SBS? You can even use dialup access for SBS if you are so inclined. Does anyone do that these days? Finally, troubleshooting tips are disbursed to round things out.

 

     Chapter 8 - Covers Terminal Services. This chapter is only 11 pages long. It is one of the shortest, I believe the shortest chapter in the entire book. The chapter starts with Remote Administration mode vs. Application Mode. SBS2K3 has 2 licenses for administration. If you want application mode, you need to setup a member server and put Terminal Services on it along with its own CAL's. Installing and configuring Terminal Services and maanging is covered next. Troubleshooting again winds this short chapter to a close.

 

     Chapter 9 - This chapter discusses Server Security. If you have studied NT, W2K and W2K3 like I have, this chapter doesn't really cover anything new. However, if you are fairly new to this arena, this chapter can help bring you up to speed. The chapter starts with physically securing your server. Hard to do in small businesses, but think minimizing risks here. Then file security is covered. NTFS file permissions are covered in decent detail. Permission inheritance and even special permissions are covered. Can you say "Traverse folders" anyone? Having ownership and who can take it is then discussed. Encryption is touched on and then we move on to share level security. Password security and policies are talked about in depth. Since the password/pass phrase is the gateway in to your system, this topic is very important. Once again, troubleshooting closes the chapter.

 

     At this point, I jumped ahead a bit. I read chapters 14 and 15 for this upcoming job I need to do. I'm sorry for not following the book sequentially, but this should prove the book does not need to be read in that fashion. You can read each chapter as its own stand alone primer. That way, you can gain the information you need.

 

     Chapter 14 - Covers sharepoint and companyweb. This chapter I have to say is simply fabulous! You want to justify buying this book? Read this chapter and you have done it! It is that good. I must say I really learned a lot from this chapter. Granted, I am a newbie when it comes to this topic, but I feel I have lost a lot of that "newbieness" after reading this chapter. The chapter begins with an Overview. The perfect beginning for someone like myself. The default file locations are discussed. Think databases here. Everything from documents to photos are stored in  a database. In fact, you can even add metabase data to that information and do some very fancy filtering. It is covered! To move your companyweb data can be a daunting task. This chapter covers it in 13 easy steps. The 4 default permissions are then covered. Web designer for all! Everything from applying themes to customizing lists, documents, you name it are all discussed in very vivid detail for several pages. How to customize these views are next. Web parts are then discussed and how they should have their own separate page setup. Creating subsites is easy and this chapter will show that to you. Next, the author shows us how to create new top level pages. Hint: best done in Frontpage, but not necessary. Once you create the new site, you will be going into IIS Manager to set it up. It is covered in here to make your deployment successful. Backing up and restoring sharepoint data is then viewed. The restoration part is covered in very good detail. The gist is, you create a new subsite, restore there and then you can cherry pick what you want to add back in case you are only after a certain document or picture or list, etc. Using frontpage to extend companyweb is then discussed. Working with multiple languages is covered next. Each site/subsite can only have one language. However, you could setup two subsites that are the same, but have one in English and one in Greek  by applying the proper language pack. Troubleshooting and removal and reinstallation of company web closes this very good chapter.

 

     Chapter 15 - discovers Remote Web Workplace henceforth called RWW. This chapter also starts with an overview. It then shows the administrators view as well as the clients view. The chapter dives into connecting to RWW. Once in RWW, the user can go to many places such as their desktop, companyweb, email, and even to the server if you have administrator credentials. The discussion then turns to RWW file locations and registry settings. All the configuration settings are laid out in a table format. Customizing RWW is then looked at as well as increasing the timeout and how to exclude systems. If you do not want your users connecting their local drives, you can use the 6 step outline in this section to prevent them from doing so. As always, our old friend Mr. Troubleshooter comes to the rescue.

 

     So, what will we cover next time? However much I have read! I will return to chapter 10 and then because many of the subsequent chapters have been covered, I will go on to chapter 16-24 as I can get to them. One word of warning however. I may jump to the 2 closing chapters 23 and 24 as they cover ISA 2004 in depth and I need that knowledge. So, I may cover 23 and 24 next time then go back to chapter 10 and then finish the book with 17-22. I do hope you are getting something from this review. If I can sum it up, buy the book! You won't be sorry. Thanks for reading. I appreciate your feedback.

     Hello again. I want to continue my review of Eriq Neale's SBS2K3 Unleashed book. My first review covered chapters 1-5. I said I was going to go through these chapters sequentially. I needed to have a quick study of Exchange so I jumped ahead. Here is my review of Part V which contains chapters 11-13.

 

     Chapter 11 covers Outlook as a client of Exchange. It covers RPC over HTTP, configuration, OWA, OMA as well as Activesync. It then has  a very thorough troubleshooting section. The troubleshooting section covers each of the previous sections in order. Unless you are a complete seasoned veteran, you will learn a lot from this chapter.

 

     Chapter 12 covers Exchange. It talks about junk mail, spam and viruses. To help control those nasties, it then goes into a discussion of the IMF. It then covers the POP3 connector as well as the SMTP connector. This chapter also discusses how to setup multiple routes. It then goes into recipient policies and the update service. The chapter finishes with some basic troubleshooting. This topic is VERY broad and deep. The book even admits that Exchange is too large to cover in 1-2 chapters and I agree. I am new to Exchange and I found these chapters good, but leaving me wanting more. My next purchase will certainly be an Exchange book.

 

     Chapter 13 covers disaster recovery of your Exchange server. It first lays out the database and log structure that makes up the database store. It breaks these down in a very logical way and even has pictures! That was a nice learning tool for me. It then discusses the 2 backup methods, who can backup what and it then discusses various tools including EXMerge. The discussion then turns to actual recovery of your database. Five methods are then laid out before you to walk you through recovering the data. If this wasn't enough, the topic of repairing damaged databases is laid out. Warning, this stuff is very heavy and not for the faint of heart. You have been warned! As alawys. the chapter closes with some troubleshooting tips.

 

As a heads up, I am either going back to chapter six, where I left off or I am going to part 8 that discusses management and administration. I'm not sure which directions I will go. As I stated earlier, I intended to go sequentially, but somes things came up that are making me learn some things faster than I had intended to. The only way you will know, is to read next weeks installment. I can't wait to meet you back here then. Until that time, keep learning.

I purchased Eriq Neales book, "Small  Business Server 2003 Unleashed". ISBN is 0-672-32805-4. So far, I have read the first five chapters in order. I intend to read the entire book in a sequential manner and then hopefully use it for field work. Here are my basic thoughts on those five chapters.

 

Chapter 1 - This first chapter is a really great place to start for those who do not know the history and intracacies of the four iterations. This chapter covers little known details and some downright bad things in the various versions. I am happy to have read this chapter and learn many things I did not know. Remember the adage, "Those who forget history are doomed to repeat it". It appears MS has certainly learned from previous versions and have really gone out of their way to improve this current version. It makes me anxious for the next SBS version.

 

Chapter 2 - This chapter is all about business and how to justify the cost for a business to implement this solution we call SBS2K3. This chapter uses what I call horse sense and some good tips that could help anyone who is going into any business, not just the IT business. This chapter gives a number of real business types and examples and what the justification for each is. In other words, it shows you how to sell the product to each type of business model in this space. SBS2K3 has numerous features, but not every business needs all the various features. Therefore, this chapter shows you how to use the strengths of various parts of SBS2K3 to help shore up various weaknesses in the type of business you are trying to gain a relationship. This chapter is a very good segue from the first chapter. It will help focus you on satisfying a business need and not just making an unnecessary sale. You might call this chapter an MBA lite!

 

Chapter 3 - Before you install the product, you must plan it first. Every war is fought one battle at a time. Therefore, to win the war (customer) you must make sure you do not misfire. This chapter tells you step by step how to keep your powder dry and win the day. You will learn about selling the proper number and types of Cal's (Answer - almost always it is user, not always however). You will plan your network, IP's, DHCP, DNS, wireless and other topics. Each chapter also has summaries and best practices to help you with tidbits of wisdom, shortcuts and the like.

 

Chapter 4 - Finally, we get to install the product. Here is where the rubber meets the road! This chapter assumes a fresh install on a new drive. It admittedly is not the hardcore stuff the migrators may be looking for, but it is a great guide on the install. It quickly moves over the not so detailed stuff and slows down and goes indepth where it counts, at the GUI portion. It covers the To Do List in two parts and does a fine job of showing you each step and how to perform them. Those of you with a lot of experience however, need not apply. It finishes up with some good old fashioned troubleshooting. Did your installation go nuts on you and leave you crying? Turn here to find out about the logs that can help you get through the tangled mess.

 

Chapter 5 - This chapter gets very serious and can help you out when it comes to DHCP and DNS specifically. It takes turns discussing what each are, how to set them up and how to use the tools to troubleshoot various issues. One nugget, many errors that seem to be AD related are actually DNS related. DNS and AD are so deeply intertwined, it is easy to troubleshoot what you think is an AD issue when in fact, DNS is the culprit! Have you met a friend named NSLookup? When you are troubleshooting DNS errors, this friend can help you out like few others can and get you thinking and looking in the right direction. Has your DHCP laughed at you and left? Learn how to wrangle that rascal and bring it back for good! This chapter was very good and worth the price of admission.

 

This is as far as I have gotten in the book. So far, I feel very good, warm and fuzzy inside about my purchase. Are you an SBS'er? Do you dream of being one? If so, head on out right now and buy this book.Eriq and his 9 co-writers I'm sure will appreciate your purchase. Moreover, I think they would love your personal review. I am not sure who wrote what chapter (except Chapter 2 by Anne Stanton), but I know so far, there is a LOT of talent and gifts in this book.

 

Next time, I'll cover from chapter 6 till wherever I get! It should be several chapters at least. I hope this helps you to decide to buy the book. I do not make anything from its sale nor do I know personally any of the writers. I just know if you want real world information on SBS2K3, this book will help get you through the real world stuff. See you next time.

Hello Everyone:

 

     Sorry it has been awhile. I studied for the 70-282 test for about a month and I took it on March 27, 2006 and passed it! I was so excited. There was also a marketing online exam I had to take and I passed that the very next day. That makes me an official SBSC'er!

 

     For those that do not know, that means Small Business Server Consultant. The Operating System is called Small Business Server 2003 or SBS2K3 for short. Next, I will be studying the 70-290 test with the same MS guys that helped me on the 70-282. I may actually get recertified yet!

 

     Are you chasing any certifications goals and dreams? If so, let me know. How do you use your space here? Send me some links and maybe we can all get active here together!

 

     That's all for now. Until next time, take care of yourselves. See you soon.

Hello!

 

      This is my first blog on my site. I just started the space. I added a nice theme and I uploaded a LOT of pictures from Colorado and Dodge City Kansas. My sister, my wife and I vacationed there last year. The year before, it was just my wife and I. We love Colorado and want to share just a few of the over 1700 pictures we took!

 

     I'm not sure what I will do with this space, but I'll try to make it fun. Thanks for visiting and please, come by often. See you soon.