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"HELP with WINDOWS SERVER 2003:
Does anyone know of any really good books on programing networks?
I am looking for something like "__________ for dummies".
It would have to be something for the beginner, so its easy to read and understand and is step by step. I am tired of my network crashing and then have to depend on unreliable people to show up when they want to and do what the want and not what I need!
It would be nice to find; from really basic stuff to advance with a windows server 2003 slant."
your post can be taken as "I need printers fixed" all the way to "I need my VPN setup" ...to "how can I setup my 5000 node server cluster"...
is it day to day stuff? adding users, creating and manipulating shares, adding a new server, manipulating a mail server / web server...etc...
please be a tad more specific than "my network crashing"...
thanks!
"I have a power edge 2600 server, purchased in 2003. We have 8 cpu's that are suppost to have access into it and share programs with it. Coming off the server we have the printer, scanner and dsl. we are unable to share any programs and or files between server, dsl and any cpu's. in the near future we hope to look into using the internet for making appointments, web page and blackberry/palm phones. need to understand how to get server and cpu's talking to each other. need to know how to get programs/files to be shared by all users. remote accessing. How and types of interfaces there are with the web.....(I think stuff like web servers vs web sites). To add printers, camras, scanners and any other device."
Terabytes, this is what he replied to your inquiry:
Hmmm, it may be best to suggest that they hire a professional to assist them with their requirements.
I'm guessing you really mean clients/workstations...
I'm also guessing that "this person" has very little idea how a network works...
The best advise I can give you would be one of two choices:
This person needs to start reading/researching basic network concepts (sharing files-setting user permissions-TCP/IP protocol, etc) everybit of that type of information is available online....just start searching....trust me...it's there...
or
Hire another company, and make sure they explain what their doing so that you completely understand whats happening. I'm thinking that there may be a slight communications gap between what your person may be telling their IT person, and what your IT person hears and decides that you can handle. (there is a fine line between experience/knowledge and user desires/costs)
The company you hire will probably not be able to completely make you happy. With the limited knowledge you have of networking they will not be able to fully explain what their doing because they can't take 6 hours to explain how file share permissions work. Basically, that's exactly what you're paying them for because THEY KNOW!...and at this point you don't!
They only way you'll get ahead is to make the effort and learn it....
yes it looks daunting...however it's not as bad or as complicated as it seems (pretty straightforward actually)...take the time to create a new user and see what you can do (or not do)....you learn best from fixing mistakes...a true fact...
a note of caution here....If you're playing with a production server...I'd grab an old computer, setup that server in the office or somewhere, and start looking around and making some changes to the test computer...
everything you need to know...is online...everything!
Remember, somebody....somewhere...has already probably had the same problem(s) with their computer and talked about it somewhere....
Happy searching...
(sorry for the long note....)
Depending on what else you're wanting to do, you might find the Active Directory for Dummies book quite good as well.
If your network is crashing frequently, the usual cause for this is faulty/poor quality networking equipment. If you want to avoid headaches don't go for the dirt cheap networking equipment.
I don't necessarily mean go for the most expensive you can find, you're fine with mid-range branded stuff. Netgear seem to be quite popular. Belkin are at the cheaper end of the mid-range and their setup instructions are very easy to use and usually require no knowledge of networking to get started. Their help lines are quite good too.
