Getting Win2003 Server Running On A Pc With Exchange And Active Dir-self learning

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#31682 26-Mar-2009 18:39

So, I've got a bit of free time on my hands in the next few weeks and want to get Windows Server 2003 running an a spare PC that I have and try to hook it up to the house wireless router and get the other laptops running through it.

Its an AMD Athlon 2500+ with 1GB of RAM so I think it should run fine. Currently its got XP Pro but ill format and install Server from fresh. Not worried about the existing XP install.

I want to run Exchange 2007 and get into using Active Directory. Just a bit of self learning and to see how it all works in an office environment, though i only have 2 other laptops to connect to it etc have already got a couple of books and want to get stuck in.

Couple questions, once i've installed Server 2003, I can then install exchange server 2007? correct?

Do I need something additional to get Active Directory up and running, or is it installed with Server 2003?

Also any other tips, tricks, books or things to think about and consider will be greatly appreciated.

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#203576 26-Mar-2009 18:43

You need a 64 bit OS for Exchange 2007 (it seems there is a 32 bit version for developers only on MSDN but I am not sure anymore).

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#203581 26-Mar-2009 18:55

hhmmm well im downloading a trial of exchange 2007 32bit from here

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=444c259e-605f-4a82-96d5-a2f448c9d4ff&displaylang=en&Hash=8LMVniulvFIyxFJc42seiWjt4SUmDV4U6gc0wtqjmLFo4Xqd9vnZjD4TePIzA5W%2f2XFVVcSnznnCL%2b7cMdrQ7A%3d%3d

.....its sp1, but im wondering now if its just the service pack rather than the whole program with sp1 included.......not really clear on their site....

maybe im getting consufed with Exchange 2007, Exchange Server 2007 and Exchange Maintenance tools.....im guessing this stuff is all different is it? and i need server edition on the server and exchange 2007 on the clients? is this right?

hhmmmm, well spose ill find out when i try ti install it.
otherwise ill need to find a 2003 version.

xpd

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#203592 26-Mar-2009 19:46

When you install Win2k3 and log in the first time, youll be prompted via a wizard if you want to setup a AD server etc.
Follow the wizard and it should run smoothly.

Just a note, you havent clarified if its Windows 2k3 or 2k3 R2 - if its R2, make sure you have both CDs or you'll find yourself stuck at first login.

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#203607 26-Mar-2009 20:52

You will be fine with those PC specs.
I'm running SBS2003 on a PC with the same specs here at the office and it works fine.

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#203608 26-Mar-2009 20:56

following your link led to exchange 2007 (not sp1) -sp1 additional d/l further down the page...
definitely install sp1 as well.
for test environment 32bit should be fine, but no support...
you will need to extend the AD schema for exchange 2007 once you have an AD setup.
you'll need min OS win2k3 r2 or sp2 if installing exchange 2007 sp1...

exchange2007(server) goes on the server
exchnage maintainance tools goes on server/pc you use to maintain it...
email clients on pc's etc (office 2007 etc)

Have you thought about SBS2008 ?

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#203609 26-Mar-2009 21:00

Looked at SBS, but im running this more just to learn some stuff and get my head around it if i ever get into doing microsoft certs. most tech jobs etc i look at seem to want experience or knowledge in these so i thought id start here.

thanks for all the info guys. will let you know tomorrow how i get on.

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#203612 26-Mar-2009 21:08

xpd: When you install Win2k3 and log in the first time, youll be prompted via a wizard if you want to setup a AD server etc.
Follow the wizard and it should run smoothly.

Eh? it does? Must not with the way I install it.

if it doesn't... Start -> Run -> "dcpromo"

Exchange 2007 requires AD, so you'll have to promo the DC first. it's not optimal to install 2K7 on a DC, but it's passable. You can use 32bit, but you'll not be able to license it and when the trial expires you'll have issues relatively regularly with the storage groups offlining I believe. I've never actually seen an install of 2K7 expired! :)

It's a very very very complex bit of software. take your time, and be prepared to probably have to reinstall the entire system a few times. You generally can't (and shouldn't) try to correct a major problem from installation or 'silly mistake'.

You'll need to get knowledgeable with ntbackup, you'll have to ensure you're backing up your databases regularly, or log files will impact your disk space.

Finally, Exchange Server 2007 is one product. There's no separate products for management and stuff, they're 'Roles' that you install when you install 2007. To start with you'll want to ignore the Edge Transport Role, you'd require a separate computer for that. Roles that you initially want are Mailbox, Hub Transport and Client Access.

One thing that I love about Exchange 2007: Autodiscover with Outlook 2007 and iPhones :)

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#203632 26-Mar-2009 22:26

You'll need to get knowledgeable with ntbackup, you'll have to ensure you're backing up your databases regularly, or log files will impact your disk space.

or you simply enable "circular logging" on the information store databases.

further, if you use windows 2008 then you dont have ntbackup anymore - you need to find alternative exchange backup solution.

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#203643 26-Mar-2009 23:10

Regs: or you simply enable "circular logging" on the information store databases.?

further, if you use windows 2008 then you dont have ntbackup anymore - you need to find alternative exchange backup solution.

True, circular logging will work.. forgot about that.. I just don't like it :)

And yeah, 2008 adds a whole other set of issues. There's an IPv6 bug still.

I hacked up ntbackup to work on 2008, I'll post details if anyone wants it. Definitely not a supported scenario, but we needed a temporary way to back up the IS whilst we migrated mailboxes off of the old exchange server which was the backup server... had to remove 2003 before we could install 2007 tools to back up the 2007 server :)

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33 posts

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#203739 27-Mar-2009 15:24

So, my amatuer skills are stuck,,,kinda.

i got win2003 R2 installed no worries, active directory is up and running and im flicking through checking stuff out.
I made a new user for myself, so i can access the server through my laptop.
im thinking there is more i need to do.
My laptop in on XP Pro, but the only thing connecting laptop and server is a wireless router. the laptop is on wireless and the server on wire to the router.
I can see the server in my workgroup so they are all on the same lines....

but how exactly can i log into the server from my laptop.....thinking i missed a page somewhere in that win2003 for dummies book. any help or am i just a plonker.

cheers.

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#203762 27-Mar-2009 16:55

Use RDP (Remote Desktop Connection).

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#203791 27-Mar-2009 20:26

Have you domain joined your laptop yet?

It's under "Computer Name" of My Computer properties.

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#204452 31-Mar-2009 15:57

Im trying to join my domain with the laptop but its not recognising it.

On the server, I've gone into active dir and made a new user under the users folder. assigned username and password.

the on the laptop i try to join a new domain, but it says i dont have a user account on the domain.

is there something more i need to do in AD to allow the laptop access....also, will this work with my router playing the role of the hub/switch...as in the server connections to the router as does the laptop (on wireless)

thanks. hope i can get this sorted. its really stopping me from palying with features when i cant even join the network.

cheers.

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Snowflake

#204454 31-Mar-2009 16:00

Derelict:

the on the laptop i try to join a new domain, but it says i dont have a user account on the domain.

when you attempt to join the laptop to the domain, use the domain administrator username and password when prompted for credentials. your user that you created may not have sufficient permissions to add the laptop to the domain

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#204460 31-Mar-2009 16:24

also use the name convention "domain\username" then your password if you have problems getting your domain admin account to work with just "username" and password

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