server 2003 standard edition or .....

mattellis · 03-23-2008, 11:04 PM

wus up everyone i am currently attending itt tech for network admin and i was curious to see if any of you think its a good idea to switch my system from xp home to server 2003 edition i know i could load it on here and run it cause i got it off of dreamspark and everything and i know i cant really host a server but just curious if you think its a good idea to just use it and get use to running server since that will be all i mess with ?? and pleas no flaming leave that for other threads thank you.

skiddy · 03-23-2008, 11:21 PM

Go for it if you just want to tinker with it as a learning experience. Just keep in mind that not all XP apps will be 100% compatible with the O/S. MS has done a pretty good job making it application friendly; the biggest problem you may run into is with drivers.

Your best bet for learning would be by installing it on another machine inside your local network, but then again that would require $$ for hardware if you don't have it already. XP home also has crippled networking capabilities so it wouldn't make a good counterpart.

I have a 2003 x64 enterprise server at my parent's place that I remote into and mess with from time to time; it's a great way to get your feet wet.

mattellis · 03-24-2008, 12:21 AM

yeah i think really after i thought it through i might just boot it through a virutal pc

FunkPnut · 03-24-2008, 09:17 PM

The real benefits of running Server 2003 is having a client be able to connect so that you can see how they interact. For instance, Group Policies is huge, but you really need a client to see how it works.

If you only have one machine, but enough hard drive space, you may want to dual boot XP Home and Server 2003. In Server 2003, run Virtual PC and install a client OS, such as XP Pro to connect to your Server 2003 domain.

You should ask your school how much a student copy of XP Pro is. My friend's school was selling Vista for $90, but XP Pro was only $7 oddly enough.

Obviously a spare computer would be ideal, really anything would be good for be fine for a testing server.

Good luck!

Nakagaki · 03-24-2008, 09:22 PM

Why not just dual boot?

NcA · 03-24-2008, 09:31 PM

Get into the Beta for Server 2008 if you want to start testing/playing with server setups. I'd say use VMware or Virtual Server to install it on, or dual-boot (might require a partition resize). You might as well be slightly ahead of the game if you're gonna be playing around. However, I'll say that you'll be best keeping a copy of XP to use for everyday. Like was said before you'll want to have other PC's networked to be able to administer for there to be any purpose in installing it, unless you want to have a look at all the active directory options :S Oh, you'll need XP Pro on all the other machines if you want to be able to create a domain and use any of the Server features too. GL.

Spud387 · 03-25-2008, 12:15 AM

Hey,

I am currently working on my bachelor's degree for network security and administration. Best thing to do is dual boot or run an extra PC. We are currently using linux so I have another machine running fedora and I play around with that when i need to test stuff (its so handy to have).

Never replace your everyday O/S with the server equiv because you never know when something might not work or you need to reinstall cause you messed up some setting big time.

***sgtpruitt*** · 03-25-2008, 12:23 AM

I second the VMware idea. You can set up multiple servers if you want in a virtual environment.

Say you want a DC and an Exchange server, they can run on the same machine where you can have a little domain of your own. As long as it's just for you to play with and you dont have like a pentium 3 in your box it would work just fine.

I think VMware has a free version.

mrsyeltzin · 04-01-2008, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sgtpruitt

I second the VMware idea. You can set up multiple servers if you want in a virtual environment.

Say you want a DC and an Exchange server, they can run on the same machine where you can have a little domain of your own. As long as it's just for you to play with and you dont have like a pentium 3 in your box it would work just fine.

I think VMware has a free version.

VM does have a free version, the one that installs on top of your OS as compared to the barebones install (installs on your hardware using a linux kernel). just be prepared for some serious slowdowns in performance. Best to run on a desktop with lots of HD space and at 2gb of memory. and even then i wouldnt run more than maybe 2-3 VMs. the cool thing is that you can build as many as you want without a performance hit but you cant exactly run them at the same time. Most I ever had was 3 going on top of my base OS (xp) and it was pretty slow.

Shark Tek · 04-02-2008, 06:08 AM

Yeah keep your current XP configuration and run VMware Server. Make sure to have at least 2GB of RAM like other said or it will be pretty slow.

At home I have a small box with Win2K3 with three NICs, 500GB of HD, 1GB of RAM, no monitor neither keyboard that I work it via VNC or RDP. Inside of it I have VMWserver with a O/S that auto load everytime the Win2K3 is restarted. It have an installation of a virtual Smoothwall 3 Firewall/VPN/Proxy/IDS O/S. And so far is working perfectly.

darkrom · 04-02-2008, 08:57 AM

Dual boot or build a new pc. Those are the only real options. VMWARE is nice but not really. Emulation of OS's, especially server OS's, never functions 100% perfect.

There isn't a good reason to install server 2003 on a pc other than to tinker, so tinker away my friend.

Personally I would dual boot if the idea of building a "test dummy" pc seems a bit expensive right now.

Shark Tek · 04-05-2008, 11:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by darkrom

Dual boot or build a new pc. Those are the only real options. VMWARE is nice but not really. Emulation of OS's, especially server OS's, never functions 100% perfect.

There isn't a good reason to install server 2003 on a pc other than to tinker, so tinker away my friend.

Personally I would dual boot if the idea of building a "test dummy" pc seems a bit expensive right now.

Why doesn't operate 100% perfect ?
Why he needs to build a separate machine just to play with win2k3?
Why he needs to spend more time to switch his main keyboard, monitor or mouse to the other machine running win2k3?

The only limitation that a virtualized system have right now is some hardware devices that can't be virtualized like graphic cards, special addons cards, etc. But this is for now because they are working to get around that. But if you have a well built machine with a good amount of ram (2GB-4GB), a dual/quad core cpu that supports Virtualization and plenty of HD space I can guarantee that the performance impact of running a virtualized O/S will be minimum. I'm pretty sure that he only wants to play with IIS, FTP, Domain, Active Directory, etc. All those things works perfectly in a Virtual environment.

My notebook that have only a silly Turion 64 single core cpu of 1.8GHz, 2GB of ram can run a Virtualized Windows XP Pro O/S on top of OpenSuse 10.3 fully loaded with Compiz Fusion, widgets, etc. And you will be amaze how fast it can work on both sides XP and OpenSuse.

The future, well right now is virtualization if he doesn't began to play with that he will be left behind. Many enterprise around the world are consolidating many of their systems in Virtualized environments because is already proven that works and make the systems more productive by freeing space and minimizing downtime. They also help in reducing operation costs.

**firmhonda** · 04-06-2008, 01:27 AM

I have three questions..

1) Where do you attend?

2) What quarter are you? When you actually take the server class you get a copy of server.. It may be a temporary copy but it's definitely enough for you to just be able to dual boot and play around with it when you want to and still have the luxury of tinkering with the networking capabilties of XP.

3) How did you qualify for the Dreamspark? When I tried to download stuff off of there it didn't recognize any itt campuses in the nation.. If this has changed I'm about to go on a downloading spree!

j0ntar · 04-07-2008, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by darkrom

Dual boot or build a new pc. Those are the only real options. VMWARE is nice but not really. Emulation of OS's, especially server OS's, never functions 100% perfect.

There isn't a good reason to install server 2003 on a pc other than to tinker, so tinker away my friend.

Personally I would dual boot if the idea of building a "test dummy" pc seems a bit expensive right now.

A VM is not emulation. It is the OS running on virtual hardware. Partial or entire production environments are run on ESX servers world wide, my company included. Calling it emulation is pure misconception.

Win2k8 is out but instead you can run a small domain controller of win2k3 on a vm with 512mb of ram, win2k8 is a hog for resources and not really needed if you just want to tinker. Win2k8 wont really roll out as a production server for another year or 2(maybe more).

dk27 · 04-29-2008, 10:49 PM

+1 on vmware server. Really great product and you could run multiple virtual machines at once if the physical machine is even somewhat beefy. Make sure you install VMWare tools with that stuff (it's an option when you setup the virtual servers).

sasebonian · 05-06-2008, 02:35 AM

If you want to stay on what you have to work with right now, I'd recommend the virtual route as others have recommended. You can get a solution from VMware or VirtualPc from Microsoft. Both have free versions. I have used both, and I am currently testing virtual Pc 2007 at work, as I'm running out of test boxes to use for some immediate testing, but I did have extra RAM lying around to help performance. I setup the system to use most of the RAM and CPU during testing, as I don't really run anything else.

Some pros:
-- No partitioning or extra harddrive needed for dual booting,
-- Drivers aren't an issue as it loads a generic PC, and once you get the OS, the virtual tools you install will take care of any drivers or file sharing you may run into.
-- No problem running ODBC between multiple virtual servers
-- You control most of the specs of the virtual PC
-- Technically since it's running on your host/main PC, you can test some client/server practices. I say some, not all.
-- If you have to re-install the virtual OS, you can do so, and still surf the net on you main PC to kill time. (It may take longer to install this way depending on how you have your system resources setup, but it sure beats not having a system to use, if you only have 1 pc to use at home. Some people have many Pc's and it's not an issue. But if you are able to test with a laptop, having a virtual OS installed is great as you can take it with you where ever you have your laptop.)

Some cons:
-- Depending how many virtual PC's are running at one time, will determine how much RAM you should have. (I recommend at least 2 gigs if you still want to run things simultaneously. Not really a con, but more of just an fyi
-- Even though partitioning is not even an issue, make sure you still have space for the virtual harddrive. Not really a con, but another fyi.

Obesus · 05-06-2008, 02:49 PM

I'll throw in another vote for VMware. I love VMware since you can simulate a network (all your virtual machines can see each other)

It's been very helpful for practicing admin/hacking stuff against a variety of operating systems. Heck throw in a virtual linux machine too for fun. (Ubuntu is easy to use)

08SiSedan · 05-10-2008, 12:55 PM

Another vote for VM! Thier beta 2 server is the shite but ditch the web console for the client, I run it at home on a seconday box for learning and remote acess. Work just gave me the go ahead to quote/build a 08 Server box and check out thier built in Vitualalization, woo hoo.

At a previous job I had 2003 Server, 2000 Server, 2000 Pro, and XP Pro all one Dell Optoplex 630 I think. Just brought it up to 4 gigs of ram. It was sluggish but I only needed to it to test A/V datss, patches, and IPS rules.

03-23-2008, 11:04 PM	#1 (permalink)
mattellis Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 67 iTrader: 1 / 100%	server 2003 standard edition or ..... wus up everyone i am currently attending itt tech for network admin and i was curious to see if any of you think its a good idea to switch my system from xp home to server 2003 edition i know i could load it on here and run it cause i got it off of dreamspark and everything and i know i cant really host a server but just curious if you think its a good idea to just use it and get use to running server since that will be all i mess with ?? and pleas no flaming leave that for other threads thank you.

03-25-2008, 12:23 AM	#8 (permalink)
*sgtpruitt* VIP Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Spooner Street Posts: 3,089 Tim iTrader: 7 / 100%	I second the VMware idea. You can set up multiple servers if you want in a virtual environment. Say you want a DC and an Exchange server, they can run on the same machine where you can have a little domain of your own. As long as it's just for you to play with and you dont have like a pentium 3 in your box it would work just fine. I think VMware has a free version. __________________ Daily philosophy: Each person has their own moment and place in thought. The Red Wheelbarrow means nothing except to the doctor.

05-06-2008, 02:35 AM	#16 (permalink)
sasebonian Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: San Diego Age: 30 Posts: 102 Jason iTrader: 0 / 0%	If you want to stay on what you have to work with right now, I'd recommend the virtual route as others have recommended. You can get a solution from VMware or VirtualPc from Microsoft. Both have free versions. I have used both, and I am currently testing virtual Pc 2007 at work, as I'm running out of test boxes to use for some immediate testing, but I did have extra RAM lying around to help performance. I setup the system to use most of the RAM and CPU during testing, as I don't really run anything else. Some pros: -- No partitioning or extra harddrive needed for dual booting, -- Drivers aren't an issue as it loads a generic PC, and once you get the OS, the virtual tools you install will take care of any drivers or file sharing you may run into. -- No problem running ODBC between multiple virtual servers -- You control most of the specs of the virtual PC -- Technically since it's running on your host/main PC, you can test some client/server practices. I say some, not all. -- If you have to re-install the virtual OS, you can do so, and still surf the net on you main PC to kill time. (It may take longer to install this way depending on how you have your system resources setup, but it sure beats not having a system to use, if you only have 1 pc to use at home. Some people have many Pc's and it's not an issue. But if you are able to test with a laptop, having a virtual OS installed is great as you can take it with you where ever you have your laptop.) Some cons: -- Depending how many virtual PC's are running at one time, will determine how much RAM you should have. (I recommend at least 2 gigs if you still want to run things simultaneously. Not really a con, but more of just an fyi -- Even though partitioning is not even an issue, make sure you still have space for the virtual harddrive. Not really a con, but another fyi. Last edited by sasebonian; 05-06-2008 at 02:52 AM.

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03-23-2008, 11:21 PM	#2 (permalink)
skiddy Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Dallas, TX Age: 24 Posts: 320 Ryan iTrader: 0 / 0%	Go for it if you just want to tinker with it as a learning experience. Just keep in mind that not all XP apps will be 100% compatible with the O/S. MS has done a pretty good job making it application friendly; the biggest problem you may run into is with drivers. Your best bet for learning would be by installing it on another machine inside your local network, but then again that would require $$ for hardware if you don't have it already. XP home also has crippled networking capabilities so it wouldn't make a good counterpart. I have a 2003 x64 enterprise server at my parent's place that I remote into and mess with from time to time; it's a great way to get your feet wet.

03-24-2008, 12:21 AM	#3 (permalink)
mattellis Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 67 iTrader: 1 / 100%	yeah i think really after i thought it through i might just boot it through a virutal pc

03-24-2008, 09:17 PM	#4 (permalink)
FunkPnut Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Minneapolis, MN Age: 25 Posts: 249 @ndy iTrader: 1 / 100%	The real benefits of running Server 2003 is having a client be able to connect so that you can see how they interact. For instance, Group Policies is huge, but you really need a client to see how it works. If you only have one machine, but enough hard drive space, you may want to dual boot XP Home and Server 2003. In Server 2003, run Virtual PC and install a client OS, such as XP Pro to connect to your Server 2003 domain. You should ask your school how much a student copy of XP Pro is. My friend's school was selling Vista for $90, but XP Pro was only $7 oddly enough. Obviously a spare computer would be ideal, really anything would be good for be fine for a testing server. Good luck!

03-24-2008, 09:22 PM	#5 (permalink)
Nakagaki Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Pasadena Age: 24 Posts: 263 Chris iTrader: 0 / 0%	Why not just dual boot?

03-24-2008, 09:31 PM	#6 (permalink)
NcA Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: MA / Worldwide Posts: 264 iTrader: 1 / 100%	Get into the Beta for Server 2008 if you want to start testing/playing with server setups. I'd say use VMware or Virtual Server to install it on, or dual-boot (might require a partition resize). You might as well be slightly ahead of the game if you're gonna be playing around. However, I'll say that you'll be best keeping a copy of XP to use for everyday. Like was said before you'll want to have other PC's networked to be able to administer for there to be any purpose in installing it, unless you want to have a look at all the active directory options :S Oh, you'll need XP Pro on all the other machines if you want to be able to create a domain and use any of the Server features too. GL.

03-25-2008, 12:15 AM	#7 (permalink)
Spud387 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Vancouver, BC, Canada Age: 22 Posts: 317 Travis iTrader: 0 / 0%	Hey, I am currently working on my bachelor's degree for network security and administration. Best thing to do is dual boot or run an extra PC. We are currently using linux so I have another machine running fedora and I play around with that when i need to test stuff (its so handy to have). Never replace your everyday O/S with the server equiv because you never know when something might not work or you need to reinstall cause you messed up some setting big time.

04-02-2008, 06:08 AM	#10 (permalink)
Shark Tek Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Puerto Rico Posts: 646 iTrader: 0 / 0%	Yeah keep your current XP configuration and run VMware Server. Make sure to have at least 2GB of RAM like other said or it will be pretty slow. At home I have a small box with Win2K3 with three NICs, 500GB of HD, 1GB of RAM, no monitor neither keyboard that I work it via VNC or RDP. Inside of it I have VMWserver with a O/S that auto load everytime the Win2K3 is restarted. It have an installation of a virtual Smoothwall 3 Firewall/VPN/Proxy/IDS O/S. And so far is working perfectly.

04-02-2008, 08:57 AM	#11 (permalink)
darkrom Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 1,663 Matt iTrader: 1 / 100%	Dual boot or build a new pc. Those are the only real options. VMWARE is nice but not really. Emulation of OS's, especially server OS's, never functions 100% perfect. There isn't a good reason to install server 2003 on a pc other than to tinker, so tinker away my friend. Personally I would dual boot if the idea of building a "test dummy" pc seems a bit expensive right now.

04-29-2008, 10:49 PM	#15 (permalink)
dk27 Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Age: 24 Posts: 49 iTrader: 0 / 0%	+1 on vmware server. Really great product and you could run multiple virtual machines at once if the physical machine is even somewhat beefy. Make sure you install VMWare tools with that stuff (it's an option when you setup the virtual servers).

05-06-2008, 02:49 PM	#17 (permalink)
Obesus Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Mechanicsburg, PA Posts: 19 Chris iTrader: 0 / 0%	I'll throw in another vote for VMware. I love VMware since you can simulate a network (all your virtual machines can see each other) It's been very helpful for practicing admin/hacking stuff against a variety of operating systems. Heck throw in a virtual linux machine too for fun. (Ubuntu is easy to use)

05-10-2008, 12:55 PM	#18 (permalink)
08SiSedan Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Camp Hill, PA Posts: 24 iTrader: 0 / 0%	Another vote for VM! Thier beta 2 server is the shite but ditch the web console for the client, I run it at home on a seconday box for learning and remote acess. Work just gave me the go ahead to quote/build a 08 Server box and check out thier built in Vitualalization, woo hoo. At a previous job I had 2003 Server, 2000 Server, 2000 Pro, and XP Pro all one Dell Optoplex 630 I think. Just brought it up to 4 gigs of ram. It was sluggish but I only needed to it to test A/V datss, patches, and IPS rules.