Configuring Windows 2000 Server

Product: Windows 2000 Server
Version tested: beta 3 RC2 (Oct. 1999)

Summary: How to set up Windows 2000 Server with a minimum of fuss.

As noted in our Windows 2000 installation report, we recommend booting from CD for easiest setup. During installation, you will be prompted to select the services you want to use on your server. The default will provide the basic facilities for a web server and related services. If, however, you wish to set up Macintosh file and print services, Terminal Services or an Index Server (etc.), select these when prompted.

Once setup is complete, Windows 2000 Server provides a wizard to help you configure the server. The procedure will differ, depending on whether it is the only server on the network or not. For the following examples, we'll assume it is the only server in your network environment.

As you proceed, Windows 2000 will automatically set up the machine as a domain controller and set up Active Directory, DHCP and DNS services. These are core services that enable you to manage network objects such as printers and user accounts. Each step along the way, Windows 2000 provides links to help files to describe the items in more detail.

Windows NT has been a factor in a number of recent Security Exploits and we are still evaluating the new OS' security (and retaining a healthy skepticism of Microsoft's Security Commitment, announced in Feb. 2000). Our evaluation of the security in Windows 2000 using the Internet Security Analysis tools at the Shields Up page was promising, however. An article entitled Windows 2000 Security- An Oxymoron? in WinNT Mag provides additional background on this important issue.

For Further Reading:
Windows 2000 Step-by-Step Guides:
Step-by-Step Guide to a Common Infrastructure for Windows 2000 Server Deployment - Part 1: Installing a Windows 2000 Server as a Domain Controller
Step-by-Step Guide to a Common Infrastructure for Windows 2000 Server Deployment - Part 2: Installing a Windows 2000 Professional Workstation and Connecting it to a Domain

Microsoft Outlines New Win2K Security Strategy
1 in 4 companies are likely to have trouble moving to Windows 2000, says a report at News.com. A Gartner Group report estimates that only 5 percent of companies will migrate from NT Server to Windows 2000 Server this year.
See the Operating Systems and Security sections here at PC Buyer's Guide for more info.

ZD Net:

• Win 2000 Beta 3
• Microsoft partners to charge for Windows 2000 Beta 3
• Pushing Win 2000 deployment - more info on Beta 3
• The Windows 2000 conundrum

Other sources:

• Paul Thurrott's WinInfo Windows news and information (an excellent site)
• www.betanews.com
• Microsoft's "Windows 2000 Ready" page
• Microsoft.com: Windows 2000 training, upgrades and features.
• IBM's Plans & Programs for Microsoft Windows 2000
• Infoworld: beta testing Windows 2000
• ComputerWorld: a survey of IT managers' Windows 2000 deployment plans and issues.

Security Exploits:
NT Security - Gaining Administrative Access - see www.ntshop.net

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