Hello group

As I get deeper into my MCSE studies (currently concentrating on 70-291), I
am planning to set up a more advanced lab, which will enable me to practice
all the technologies required to pass this exam and future exams on the MCSE
track.

Im hoping that some of you experienced guys can give me advice on setting up
the lab?

I passed my previous MCP exams by linking an xp client to a server via a
crossover cable, but I would like to configure RRAS and web server
technologies.

The lab I am trying to setup is going to be all wireless, using a Netgear
DG834G wireless router and Belkin 802.11g PCI wirless cards installed in
servers and clients.

A static WAN IP address comes as standard from my ISP and I usually have
this address configured on the router along with NAT to provide security for
my home PCs.

I have purchased 2 public IP addresses from my ISP.

I have 2 DNS server IP addresses, which are supplied by my ISP.

There are 2 PCs available to use as a DC and member server.

When the lab is setup I would like it to be running in an Active Directory
Domain Environment using DHCP, NAT, SUS services, RRAS configured to run VPN
services and also be able to (maybe) host web applications on the internet.
I was going to install a second NIC into one of the servers for RRAS, but
not sure!

I would like to setup the server so that my client PCs will optain their IP
addresses dynamically and still be able to gain internet access. Would this
be possible by using one of the public IP addresses?

As I have said I am setting this lab up to use for my MCSE practice, but I
would still like the network to be accessible to members of the family.

Hopefully I have provided enough information here, but if not give me a
shout.

cheers

ed

Re: advice on setting up lab by gary

gary
Wed Jun 01 16:20:28 CDT 2005

why not download some software like vmware and create virtual servers?

saves hassle and also easy to rollback changes, altho memory and cpu
intensive..



"edsa" <edsa@f2s.com> wrote in message
news:d7kvsr$4n6$1@news.freedom2surf.net...
> Hello group
>
> As I get deeper into my MCSE studies (currently concentrating on 70-291),
I
> am planning to set up a more advanced lab, which will enable me to
practice
> all the technologies required to pass this exam and future exams on the
MCSE
> track.
>
> Im hoping that some of you experienced guys can give me advice on setting
up
> the lab?
>
> I passed my previous MCP exams by linking an xp client to a server via a
> crossover cable, but I would like to configure RRAS and web server
> technologies.
>
> The lab I am trying to setup is going to be all wireless, using a Netgear
> DG834G wireless router and Belkin 802.11g PCI wirless cards installed in
> servers and clients.
>
> A static WAN IP address comes as standard from my ISP and I usually have
> this address configured on the router along with NAT to provide security
for
> my home PCs.
>
> I have purchased 2 public IP addresses from my ISP.
>
> I have 2 DNS server IP addresses, which are supplied by my ISP.
>
> There are 2 PCs available to use as a DC and member server.
>
> When the lab is setup I would like it to be running in an Active Directory
> Domain Environment using DHCP, NAT, SUS services, RRAS configured to run
VPN
> services and also be able to (maybe) host web applications on the
internet.
> I was going to install a second NIC into one of the servers for RRAS, but
> not sure!
>
> I would like to setup the server so that my client PCs will optain their
IP
> addresses dynamically and still be able to gain internet access. Would
this
> be possible by using one of the public IP addresses?
>
> As I have said I am setting this lab up to use for my MCSE practice, but I
> would still like the network to be accessible to members of the family.
>
> Hopefully I have provided enough information here, but if not give me a
> shout.
>
> cheers
>
> ed
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>



Re: advice on setting up lab by Steven

Steven
Wed Jun 01 16:43:51 CDT 2005

A lab with at least three computers is great in my opinion. Others have also
used Virtual PC though I personally prefer separate computers. Virtual PC
however is great and would be a great lab on a laptop that you could take
anywhere. My lab computers, except domain controller, are double/triple boot
with removable drive trays so that I can any scenario possible in very
little time. I have two monitors and use a KVM switch for a pair of
computers.

Yes everybody can have internet access and still use the domain. make sure
your domain controller is the DHCP server for everyone and have it forward
internet name resolution requests to your ISP dns server. You don't have to
have two nics in the rras server if you are behind a NAT/PAT device but you
can if you want to have one nic connected directly to the internet at have
one of the public IP addresses. Do NOT place two nics in your domain
controller or use it as a rras server. This will cause issues with dns name
resolution for the domain and for browsing via My Network Places.

It is fine having wireless on the network and you may even want to configure
802.1X authentication if the WAP and wireless adapters are capable however I
would Strongly suggest that your domain controller and at least one other
domain computer use CAT 5 connection for the network. Wireless is kind of
unreliable for domain logon and you may see problems ensue as such that will
just throw you off course.

Read the link below on Active Directory FAQ to get you started and become
very familiar with the tools for netdiag, dcdiag, ipconfig, ping, tracert,
nslookup, gpupdate, secedit, gpresult, gptool, replmon, etc and use the free
Windows 2003 Server Deployment Kit [second link below] for chapters
pertinent for your studies. --- Steve

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb%3Ben-us%3B291382
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/techinfo/reskit/deploykit.mspx

"edsa" <edsa@f2s.com> wrote in message
news:d7kvsr$4n6$1@news.freedom2surf.net...
> Hello group
>
> As I get deeper into my MCSE studies (currently concentrating on 70-291),
> I am planning to set up a more advanced lab, which will enable me to
> practice all the technologies required to pass this exam and future exams
> on the MCSE track.
>
> Im hoping that some of you experienced guys can give me advice on setting
> up the lab?
>
> I passed my previous MCP exams by linking an xp client to a server via a
> crossover cable, but I would like to configure RRAS and web server
> technologies.
>
> The lab I am trying to setup is going to be all wireless, using a Netgear
> DG834G wireless router and Belkin 802.11g PCI wirless cards installed in
> servers and clients.
>
> A static WAN IP address comes as standard from my ISP and I usually have
> this address configured on the router along with NAT to provide security
> for my home PCs.
>
> I have purchased 2 public IP addresses from my ISP.
>
> I have 2 DNS server IP addresses, which are supplied by my ISP.
>
> There are 2 PCs available to use as a DC and member server.
>
> When the lab is setup I would like it to be running in an Active Directory
> Domain Environment using DHCP, NAT, SUS services, RRAS configured to run
> VPN services and also be able to (maybe) host web applications on the
> internet. I was going to install a second NIC into one of the servers for
> RRAS, but not sure!
>
> I would like to setup the server so that my client PCs will optain their
> IP addresses dynamically and still be able to gain internet access. Would
> this be possible by using one of the public IP addresses?
>
> As I have said I am setting this lab up to use for my MCSE practice, but I
> would still like the network to be accessible to members of the family.
>
> Hopefully I have provided enough information here, but if not give me a
> shout.
>
> cheers
>
> ed
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>



Re: advice on setting up lab by MarkMS

MarkMS
Wed Jun 01 17:25:11 CDT 2005

Virtual PC sucks, VMWare is a much more refined piece of software, im
comfortably running 2 x 2003 Domain Controllers (@256Ram) and
client(@256Ram). I have a gig of ram in my machine and with all three
running, task manager reports only 596 Ram in use.

You would be mad to do anything else, as the whole 'clone' feature is quite
amazing. Ive build a couple of servers and taken a snapshot post install. I
can now just clone this machine as it sits (in < 20 seconds) then do whatever
i want with it and then just delete it when ive dirtied it, all along the way
i can take snapshots in case i want to jump back a few steps and try
something again.

Spend your money and buy a big ass tft instead. Oh and another gig of ram.

P.s. I have 5 P4 3Ghz in my own lab which are just about to be DECOMISSIONED
in favour of the VMWare. True its nice to have all the machines sitting
there, but jumping between them is a pain in the ass, likewise is flicking
between them on a KVM. Also with 3-4 computers running the room ends up 5-6
degrees warmer!

Mark.

Re: advice on setting up lab by Chuckie

Chuckie
Wed Jun 01 20:59:31 CDT 2005

Hey Mark, I"m surprised to hear your views on VM vs Virtual PC... I used to
be a big fan of VM (Used with Netware products) - but from a performance
point of view I've been very impressed with MS VPC/Server.... One thing,
even with a beefy processor, you can NEVER EVER have too much RAM.

I must admit, that it's bizarre that MS' product does not support PXE
Booting? even though VMWare does.

"You will never need more than 640K of conventional memory" <grin>

"Mark [MS]" <MarkMS@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:C559B5D8-91B2-464B-968C-794AC769F6C3@microsoft.com...
> Virtual PC sucks, VMWare is a much more refined piece of software, im
> comfortably running 2 x 2003 Domain Controllers (@256Ram) and
> client(@256Ram). I have a gig of ram in my machine and with all three
> running, task manager reports only 596 Ram in use.
>
> You would be mad to do anything else, as the whole 'clone' feature is
> quite
> amazing. Ive build a couple of servers and taken a snapshot post install.
> I
> can now just clone this machine as it sits (in < 20 seconds) then do
> whatever
> i want with it and then just delete it when ive dirtied it, all along the
> way
> i can take snapshots in case i want to jump back a few steps and try
> something again.
>
> Spend your money and buy a big ass tft instead. Oh and another gig of ram.
>
> P.s. I have 5 P4 3Ghz in my own lab which are just about to be
> DECOMISSIONED
> in favour of the VMWare. True its nice to have all the machines sitting
> there, but jumping between them is a pain in the ass, likewise is flicking
> between them on a KVM. Also with 3-4 computers running the room ends up
> 5-6
> degrees warmer!
>
> Mark.