Server job for local business, please advise

[d3v]

You should take the gateway out of the loop here for the workstations. Set the workstations to Automatically obtain IP address (DHCP) but manually enter 192.168.0.5 for the first DNS entry. Leave the second one blank.

Ok done that, but still cant browse the internet. Maybe my virgin media superhub isn't good enough/suitable for all this kind of stuff? I've disabled DHCP on it, though.

Check to see that you have forwarders in your servers DNS MMC properties.

I reckon this is the problem. I do not know if I have forwarders, and I don't know what MMC properties is. I'll check google now but would appreciate more concise guidance as I can never seem to find proper solutions on google when it comes to server 2012 setup

Should I switch routers back to my old DD-WRT flashed netgear WNDR3300 or would it not make a difference?

 

[d3v]

wow I can access shared folders that are stored on the server, from the laptop, SageData, too, which is the main one - awesome! I reckon I'm well on the way to setting this up for him.

 

[TAPtech]

any router will do. sounds like you just have the DNS on the server misconfigured. Keep in mind- there's two DNS areas on the server. One is just the TCP/IP config of the network adapter, that should be straight forward. The other is the DNS service, the software based mumbo jumo. A lot more complex.

Type http://74.125.226.194/ into internet explorer and see if it takes you to Google. Then type google.com and see if it takes you to google.

If the IP works but the "Google" doesn't, then you have DNS problems.

Check youtube for a guide on DNS setup for your server Operating System. We can walk you through it here but the youtube video will probably be the best. I use youtube as reference all the time. Google too. Can't remember everything like StoneCat and AngryGeek

 

[d3v]

any router will do. sounds like you just have the DNS on the server misconfigured. Keep in mind- there's two DNS areas on the server. One is just the TCP/IP config of the network adapter, that should be straight forward. The other is the DNS service, the software based mumbo jumo. A lot more complex.

Type http://74.125.226.194/ into internet explorer and see if it takes you to Google. Then type google.com and see if it takes you to google.

If the IP works but the "Google" doesn't, then you have DNS problems.

Check youtube for a guide on DNS setup for your server Operating System. We can walk you through it here but the youtube video will probably be the best. I use youtube as reference all the time. Google too. Can't remember everything like StoneCat and AngryGeek

Yep I usually do use youtube and google to learn whatever I need to learn in fact without those two tools I wouldn't know a fraction of what I know today in terms of general knowledge/practical abilities, I owe so much to these excellent tools however for very specific questions like I've been asking throughout this thread they are of limited use.

Once I get the basics nailed down I'll certainly be using youtube to learn the extra bits.

One thing that struck me is how basic the result has turned out to be, as I can really only access shared folders from the server downstairs on this laptop... something I could of done with a NAS or just a basic desktop PC! I do wonder now why I chose to even use a server! Then again I'm obviously only using a fraction of a servers potential here, and not sure what else I should do right now, lol.

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

I reckon this is the problem. I do not know if I have forwarders, and I don't know what MMC properties is. I'll check google now but would appreciate more concise guidance as I can never seem to find proper solutions on google when it comes to server 2012 setup

Should I switch routers back to my old DD-WRT flashed netgear WNDR3300 or would it not make a difference?

This article I wrote is old.....but the principles are still valid. (anyone that's been doing business computers for a long time...and has a good eye...will see that it's SBS03, it was running ISA...and it has Eset NOD32 version 2.7 on it from way back then)
http://www.speedguide.net/articles/server-based-network-guide-1660

The router you have has NOTHING to do with your network anymore other than being a gateway. The router will no longer do DHCP...your server will (so you need to have the DHCP service on the router disabled). The router will no longer do DNS...your server will.

 

[d3v]

This article I wrote is old.....but the principles are still valid. (anyone that's been doing business computers for a long time...and has a good eye...will see that it's SBS03, it was running ISA...and it has Eset NOD32 version 2.7 on it from way back then)
http://www.speedguide.net/articles/server-based-network-guide-1660

The router you have has NOTHING to do with your network anymore other than being a gateway. The router will no longer do DHCP...your server will (so you need to have the DHCP service on the router disabled). The router will no longer do DNS...your server will.

Hey just read your article, really well written and perfect for absolute beginners. I never found anything as good as this when I searched google the past couple of weeks. This part of your guide is exactly what I needed to hear...

Now, lets finetune your DNS service properties on your DC. What you want to do is find out what your ISPs two DNS servers are.

I already suspected I needed to get hold of virgin media's DNS server addresses and furthermore use them as forwarders on the servers DNS settings... reading it from your article just confirms it for me. Will get on to it now - thanks again

edit: just found out virgin media's DNS servers are 194.168.4.100 and 194.168.8.100 and promptly typed them in to the forwarder settings on the servers DNS and the validated perfectly and now I can browse the web perfectly fine from both the server and the laptop.

Next task is to figure out how to remotely VPN in to this server from a workstation outside the LAN.

As for the ML350 it's a daunting object, so much more complex than a desktop. I don't know if anything is missing other than two SAS drive trays (there's still 4 or 5 left, though, so more than enough) and a plastic air funnel than was loose inside the case I have no idea where it goes!

What type of SAS drive do you recommend? I want to get two of the same and create a RAID 1 array, what do you think? I know the caddy's are made to accommodate 2.5" SAS/SATA drives not 3.5". Maybe just a normal SATA drive like a WD caviar black would suffice?

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

I already suspected I needed to get hold of virgin media's DNS server addresses and furthermore use them as forwarders on the servers DNS settings... reading it from your article just confirms it for me. Will get on to it now - thanks again

edit: just found out virgin media's DNS servers are 194.168.4.100 and 194.168.8.100 and promptly typed them in to the forwarder settings on the servers DNS and the validated perfectly and now I can browse the web perfectly fine from both the server and the laptop.

Since writing that article so long ago....what I do these days is put in a Safe DNS service. Like Open DNS...I use 208.67.222.222 and 208.67.220.220 in there. Or you can use Nortons Safe Search DNS servers (or whatever they call it)... 198.153.192.40 198.153.194.40

 

[Markverhyden]

First thing I would do is make sure all of the firmware is up to date.

 

[d3v]

First thing I would do is make sure all of the firmware is up to date.

Good point. I think I'll stick one of my many SATA drives inside and get going with it rather than wait on an SAS drive. I can always change things later. Just got to find out where this plastic cover in picture 3 goes, first!

Also I want to try to VPN in to this domain/server from a laptop that is a few miles away at my sisters house, completely outside my LAN/router. What software do you guys recommend for this purpose, and what IP address does one use in order to connect to the server?

I tried adding remote capabilities via the add roles/services menu of server 2012 but encountered an error. Maybe third party VPN software is better?

 

[d3v]

Oh and one more query, they have another wifi router downstairs behind the coffee bar that the customer usee to connect to the internet. This wifi router is connected to the main router upstairs. Once I disable DHCP on this main router upstairs in the office, what will happen to the public wifi router downstairs? Must I assign a static IP address to it, if so where/how?

 

[skdmaster]

A trick for setting up/troubleshooting a VPN is if your phone has hotspot capabilities then connect your laptop to your phone's hotspot and test your VPN there onsite with the sever so you can make on the fly adjustments.

 

[pcman2010]

d3v,

This is getting a little out of control. You need to properly scope all this in advance. If your friend (client) wants to do all of these, then they need to pony up and purchase a business grade router. Trust me it will make your life easier and it will be more secure. With a router such as Watchguard it can do VPNs tunnels all day, web monitoring, multiple VLAN's, IP segmentation and more. Otherwise you are going to bring the server its knees and or someone could cause a great security problem for this business.

 

[Markverhyden]

Oh and one more query, they have another wifi router downstairs behind the coffee bar that the customer usee to connect to the internet. This wifi router is connected to the main router upstairs. Once I disable DHCP on this main router upstairs in the office, what will happen to the public wifi router downstairs? Must I assign a static IP address to it, if so where/how?

Not sure of privacy regulations in the UK but I would guess they are probably just a strict as they are the US in terms of statutes (laws). It's a major failure to mix public internet traffic with private (business). All major companies in the US that do this (Starbucks, McD's, Panera, hotels, etc) have separate ISP accounts for the public access provided.

You can get by with a properly configured network where the public LAN is on a completely separate subnet from the private subnet. Personally I use completely different nets. For example have the private one on 192.168.x.x and the public one on 172.16.x.x.

On your question above about that clear plastic piece. If you have not already figured it out it is a baffle for the upper fan to direct air to the RAM slots. Should clip on so it can flip up and down for access to RAM slots.

 

[d3v]

d3v,

This is getting a little out of control. You need to properly scope all this in advance. If your friend (client) wants to do all of these, then they need to pony up and purchase a business grade router. Trust me it will make your life easier and it will be more secure. With a router such as Watchguard it can do VPNs tunnels all day, web monitoring, multiple VLAN's, IP segmentation and more. Otherwise you are going to bring the server its knees and or someone could cause a great security problem for this business.

Thanks, looking in to a business class router, have told him he will probably need one. I checked out the Watchguard routers but they have about 20-30 in their product range. Could you please recommend a specific model that would be suitable for just a small business like this.

On your question above about that clear plastic piece. If you have not already figured it out it is a baffle for the upper fan to direct air to the RAM slots. Should clip on so it can flip up and down for access to RAM slots.

Thanks, it clipped in perfectly.

Also I've been dusting/cleaning the ML350 and after cleaning the old thermal grease I noticed both processor chips are E5320's which are both very old (2006) and have poor specs. The ebay listing didn't specificy the processor model but did say it is 2,8ghz not 1.8ghz that they turned out to be. Is it worth building up this ML350 or should I tell my client to open an ebay dispute? Also bearing in mind it came with 4gb DDR2 RAM and no hard drive.

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

Good point. I think I'll stick one of my many SATA drives inside and get going with it rather than wait on an SAS drive. I can always change things later. Just got to find out where this plastic cover in picture 3 goes, first!

Also I want to try to VPN in to this domain/server from a laptop that is a few miles away at my sisters house, completely outside my LAN/router. What software do you guys recommend for this purpose, and what IP address does one use in order to connect to the server?

I tried adding remote capabilities via the add roles/services menu of server 2012 but encountered an error. Maybe third party VPN software is better?

Don't do VPN serving from a Windows server...ESPECIALLY from a DC, use a dedicated hardware appliance...or at the very least, a router at the edge that also can do VPN serving.

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

Is it worth building up this ML350 or should I tell my client to open an ebay dispute? Also bearing in mind it came with 4gb DDR2 RAM and no hard drive.

I thought this was for a lab box for you to play with/learn on. Getting used server for a client...something I'd more deeply consider.

 

[nesrinamb]

I thought this was for a lab box for you to play with/learn on. Getting used server for a client...something I'd more deeply consider.

I'm also a little bit confused.

"The ebay listing didn't specificy the processor model but did say it is 2,8ghz not 1.8ghz that they turned out to be. Is it worth building up this ML350 or should I tell my client to open an ebay dispute? Also bearing in mind it came with 4gb DDR2 RAM and no hard drive. "


I would want to get what I paid for. But then again this is just gonna be a system for a few people that might access it at the same time.

You are planing to add more ram right?

 

[Markverhyden]

His customer only paid 100 pounds for the box. So it's not like he is into it for a lot of money. And I pointed out a few pages ago he can go to partsurfer to look up the BOM for the machine. That way he can see if someone has switched stuff around on them.

 

[d3v]

Hi guys thanks again for the info especially regarding VPN's and the need for a special router, ect. I've let him know this info and he seems ok about it. Could someone please recommend a suitable router our needs in this situation. As I said there's only going to be two PC's connected to the DC, then about 3-4 roaming laptops that will VPN in to the DC server a couple times a day, very possibly at the same time.

Also I tried fitting a standard 2.5" SATA drive in to the ML350 but they do not fit in to the plastic caddy trays at all. What specific SAS drive must I order that will fit? I want two in RAID 0 configuration. What I don't understand is when I search google for ML350 hard drive caddy all the images show a completely different object to what I got in this ML350 here. For one all 8 of mine are plastic, with a raised bump at the back, and some rolls of spring steel at the front, impossible to fit a normal 2.5" hard drive inside. Do I need to buy new drive bay caddies or what?

Also do you guys think 6GB RAM will suffice for our needs, or should I go 8? It came with 4GB but in the undesirable configuration of many 512mb DIMM's.
And what do I search for when looking for RAM? Does standard DDR2 desktop RAM fit or has it got to be server stuff?

 

[TAPtech]

Hi guys thanks again for the info especially regarding VPN's and the need for a special router, ect. I've let him know this info and he seems ok about it. Could someone please recommend a suitable router our needs in this situation. As I said there's only going to be two PC's connected to the DC, then about 3-4 roaming laptops that will VPN in to the DC server a couple times a day, very possibly at the same time.

Also I tried fitting a standard 2.5" SATA drive in to the ML350 but they do not fit in to the plastic caddy trays at all. What specific SAS drive must I order that will fit? I want two in RAID 0 configuration. What I don't understand is when I search google for ML350 hard drive caddy all the images show a completely different object to what I got in this ML350 here. For one all 8 of mine are plastic, with a raised bump at the back, and some rolls of spring steel at the front, impossible to fit a normal 2.5" hard drive inside. Do I need to buy new drive bay caddies or what?

Also do you guys think 6GB RAM will suffice for our needs, or should I go 8? It came with 4GB but in the undesirable configuration of many 512mb DIMM's.
And what do I search for when looking for RAM? Does standard DDR2 desktop RAM fit or has it got to be server stuff?

It has to be server stuff, error checking. Check with the company you bought the server from on eBay- if they are a large used server selling outfit, they'll have a ton of parts for it. Also let them know you got the wrong CPU's and they'll probably be able to replace them for you or discount you some money.

Don't do RAID0 on a server. Do RAID1. You can easily lose data on a RAID0 configuration very easily. Not good!

If it is server 2012 then you should go with 6GB if that's all you can get. 8GB is sort of the minimum for 2012. If it is doing very basic tasks it will probably be OK. A slow server is a pain in the butt though, if you need to do admin tasks and it is limping along it really gets annoying!

Does the hard drive caddy look like this?

http://i.ebayimg.com/t/HDD-Tray-Caddy-for-HP-Compaq-Proliant-ML370-ML350-ML330-G5-G6-ML150-G3-ML310-G4-/00/s/NjAwWDYwMA==/z/fqEAAMXQtRxSLcXv/$(KGrHqJ,!n4FIpbW-FfRBSLc(u6DHg~~60_3.JPG