Re: Setting up Active Directory

From: Jeff Cochran (jeff.nospam_at_zina.com)
Date: 01/09/05 

Date: Sun, 09 Jan 2005 22:41:21 GMT

On Sun, 9 Jan 2005 12:57:03 -0800, dstein
<dstein@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:

>I have an existing home network that consists of two Windows XP Pro computers
>and a cable modem (providing internet access) connected to a wireless router.
> The XP computers are configured to use dynamic DHCP and the router acts as a
>DHCP server.
>
>I now own a computer that I've installed Windows 2000 Server, but have not
>set it up with any server services yet (DHCP, DNS, Active Directory, etc.),
>because I don't know how to proceed.
>
>I would like to setup the new server as a domain controller running Active
>Directory, but I don't want to change how my existing pc's access the
>internet (through the wireless router running DHCP).
>
>My question is, can I create a domain, and run Active Directory for the
>purpose of sharing resources (not internet) between my pc's?

Yes.

> How should I
>setup the server so that I can basically use it as a file server, application
>server, etc. without changing how I access the internet?

Just set it up. The only key to accessing the internet is the Default
Gateway setting in the workstation's TCP/IP settings.

>I am a novice in the area of server operating systems. And I know that
>running Active Directory on a Windows 2000 server on a domain is overkill for
>my small home network. My main reason for doing this is for educational
>purposes. I'd like to learn more about administering a network, and for me,
>it's better to actually set something up than to just read about it.

That's the best way to learn.

>Any resources that somebody knows of, or any advice that you could give
>would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Start with Microsoft and the white papers on Active Directory. A
decent book may help, if you're already accomplished at server
management the books aimed at the Active Directory MCSE exams would be
ideal.

Jeff

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