server at home - domain controller, DNS, DHCP, Web-hosting

[Dekd]

well for the past week i've been messing with server 2003, and im amazed with it's power,
i'd like to know some more information based on experience about how to run a proper home server,

well i'll explain the plan and you kind people need to tell how to achieve it.

plan:
-have a server (p4 HT with the usual things)
-run server 2003
-host a website from this web-server,
-be able to manage an ftp session without dramas.
-be able to run all tasks for the home domain, (file server, backup, active directory,etc..)
-want all of my data to be as secure as possible, that means i want all my internet traffic to go trough the web-server and not directly through the router, kind of firewall

so far:
-i've registered a domain, so people at home, logon through the domain controller
-i've setup dhcp so ips are being given out freely
-having trouble with DNS
-can't bloody figure out how to make all data go trough the webserver

issues:
-network quite slow
-my router can't forward port 80 to the webserver, so everytime i type in the web address i get the settings page of the router.

help me do this.

[Icidic]

1) If this is a homework task, take it elsewhere.

2) If it's not homework, go and do some research and then come back. Almost ALL of the tasks that you have listed are very much point and click so I really can't fathom how exactly you're having trouble. Host a website? Install the Application Server role. FTP? Same deal for Anonymous FTP otherwise download a free FTP server such as Cerberus FTP Server or similar. AD\File\Print servers? Install the respective roles. Security? NTFS permissions, Share permissions, User password policies, Group Policies. Really, it's all layed out and quite simple to implement if you just do a little bit of work.

Also, as a small note, Windows 2003 Server System was never designed for home use. Buy and install a Windows Home Server (Server 2008\Vista based) instead if all you need is a simple file\print server.

[ipAlien]

If you want a home server with great control SBS is the best option, not Windows 2003. As far as hosting on this box is concerned, as has been said many a time before, it's not worth it.

Host your website elsewhere and redirect mail to your SBS... Easier and Safer!

[TTV6]

im sur ehe jsut wants to host to play

if you want all traffic to go through it
you will need to run ISA Server and have 2 Nics installed

to run a webserver, you can use IIS install this from add/remove on the server
this will give you FTP, Website hosting etc

DNS, sounds like you need to install the DNS server roll, and make sure your dhcp is giving the correct settings out, like if you install dns, then dhcp should tell you clients that its the dns server too

[Icidic]

Originally Posted by ipAlien

If you want a home server with great control SBS is the best option, not Windows 2003. As far as hosting on this box is concerned, as has been said many a time before, it's not worth it.

Host your website elsewhere and redirect mail to your SBS... Easier and Safer!

Little tidbit - Windows 2003 Server System encompasses Small Business Server 2003 as well as all other 2003 Server products and derivatives .

Originally Posted by TTV6

if you want all traffic to go through it
you will need to run ISA Server and have 2 Nics installed

Well really that's not necessary. All that is necessary is the installation of the Routing and Remote Access Role which will allow you to setup routing and NAT duties on the server which are required for sharing Internet to multiple computers. ISA would be overkill IMO.

[TehCamel]

ps - you didn't need to register a domain name to use domain logons :P

you can use bla.local
or whatever.home or micro.soft or whatever the hell you want :P

[Dekd]

this is definetely homework as it's for a home server,

thanks for the updates, and it seems to be quite simple, however my knowledge of this is pretty much zero, i've played with basic networks and such but never on a system that can handle all of what i want.

the main issue is port forwarding on the router, that doesn't seem to work at all

and knowing IIS, how does it even work, i've done what tutorials have said but it can't even load up localhost. so im puzzled.

there will be 2 nics and the 'server' needs to do it's own port forwarding for local pcs. <----- which i have absolutely no idea on how it works.

[Smegger]

I've found Clarkconnect to be absolutely brilliant. Very powerful and flexible. I have my domain registered with them and it makes life with a dynamic dns much simpler.

[smithy73]

<<Subscribed>>

Currently using W2k3 as "File Server" + WSUS
HTPC + Main PC are XP
Linux Box (FC9) for web site development.
A Couple of other pc's on W2k and *nix as well as a Virtual Machines.

These all seem to work although not efficiently.

Keen to watch some of the ideas come through this thread.
Given the Noobie lounge is a flame free zone even better to learn from.

Apologies if this seems like a hijack - not meant to be.

[PetSue]

Chuck XP on the box, install WAMP, register at dyndns.com and add a hosting name, make up ya web site and put into the www folder of WAMP, open Port 80 on your router, add a couple of lines in WAMP and away ya go...

[Dekd]

well i've registered at dyndns

i'll definetely give it a shot.