Configuring Instant Messaging SRV Records on Exchange 2000
Having configured Instant Messaging on a Network it is then necessary to configure it for different clients and user accounts. This requires users to log on making use of their user names and also their domain names.

This means that if the user name is johns and the domain name is mycomputeraid.com, then the email address would normally be johns@mycomputeraid.com

To log into Instant Messaging though requires a different formula, and requires knowledge of the Instant Messaging server’s Fully Qualified Domain Name. For example server3.mycomputeraid.com, the IM Router, thus the logon for Instant Messaging would be johns@server3.mycomputeraid.com

This though does mean that the SRV records in the DNS will need to be configured so that all users can find their IM Routers. This though also means that DS Client Software will have to be installed for users of Win98 and NT.

Configuring the SRV Record can be done via Administration Tools and DNS MMC. The Forward Lookup Zone container then needs to be opened, and then the zone for the domain needs to be double clicked. Right click on the zone and then pick Other New Records. Within the Resource Record type choose Service Location and the click the Create Record button.

This will then open the New Resource Record window, in this type _RVP in the Service box, as well as 80 in the Port number box. The Host Offering this Service then needs to be filled with the Fully Qualified Domain Name, and then confirmed. This should mean that when you double click the _TCP sub folder in the zone folder that a new _RVP record is there.

This will then allow for the Instant Messaging logon name to be matched to the email user name – johns@mycomputeraid.com through the Instant Messaging client, then Tools and Accounts. If everything has been done correctly then you should be able to logon to Instant Messaging with the email address.

Article written by MyComputerAid.com

Post from: MyComputerAid.com Computer support

instant messaging srv records

Windows 2003 Server is available in 4 distinct versions, Standard, Enterprise, Datacenter, and Web Edition.  The web edition is a very scaled down version, and of little practical use to businesses outside of web publishing and distribution. beyond being an effective test ground before implementing a more full featured edition. In all, the web edition contains less than half of the features available from any other version, but can be invaluable to web designers.

WS2003 Standard
Ranking immediately behind the Web Edition, the Standard edition is the least expensive of the 3 main versions.  One of the major drawbacks of Standard is that it is only able to access a maximum of 4GB of pooled RAM.  On a small network, this is probably sufficient, but for medium to large applications, system performance could suffer considerably.  This version also supports 2-Way or 4-Way Symmetric Processing, which enables the use of multiple processors for a single application.  This is a remarkable improvement over all processors running independently, but is far short of the intricate Symmetric Processing available in Datacenter and Enterprise versions.

Internet Connection Firewall (ICF) offers security in the form of a firewall. Intended for the home and small business, ICF regulates communications directly targeted to the Internet. This is available for LAN, dial-up, virtual private networks (VPNs), and Point-to-Point Protocol over Ethernet (PPPoE).  This service is only included on Standard and Enterprise versions, not on Datacenter and Web editions.

WS2003 Enterprise
This edition allows pooled RAM resources of up to 64GB, greatly expanding the functionality of the network by providing memory to be accessible when and where it is required.  Enterprise also allows up to 8-Way Symmetric Processing, meaning that the number of processors available for intensive tasks can be increased, balancing the load of critical applications that could bog down a single processor.  ICF is included in this version as well as the Standard version.

WS2003 Datacenter
Datacenter is most advanced version of WS2003.  With pooled RAM resources of up to 512GB on 64-bit installations, this version is obviously the workhorse of the family.  Symmetric Processing has been increased to as much as 64-Way processing.  ICF is not included, but may be achieved using other firewall services which are available in this version.

————–

Common Features in All Versions

Active Directory®, the hierarchical directory of all resources on the network, is available in all versions, and provides an easy to use listing that is available to administrators and users alike.  This feature is designed to enable access to network components, such as printers or hard drives, without having to undergo a drawn out search.

Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) applies encryption key technology to the network.  This makes authentication possible for such things as Secure Sockets Layer (SSL), and Transport Layer Security (TLS), the most common forms of encryption used for processing sensitive information over the internet.  There are several forms of security available through this feature, including the ability to create and manage unique X.509 v3 certificates, which allows you to be independent of, or integrated with, commercial client certification services.

With Remote Desktop for Administration (RDA), formerly known as Terminal Services in Remote Administration mode, an administrator can administer a computer from virtually any computer on the network. Based on Terminal Services technology, RDA is specifically designed for server management.

Terminal Server lets you deliver Windows-based applications — or the Windows desktop itself — to virtually any computing device, including those that cannot run Windows. For example, a user can access a virtual Windows XP Professional desktop and x86-based Windows applications from hardware that cannot run the software locally. Terminal Server provides this capability for both Windows-based and non–Windows-based client devices. When a user runs an application on Terminal Server, all of the application execution takes place on the server, and only keyboard, mouse, and display information traverses the network.
Note:  Terminal Server mode is not available on WS2003 Web Edition.

Network Load Balancing
Previously called Windows NT Load Balancing Service (WLBS), Network Load Balancing distributes incoming TCP/IP traffic among multiple servers. Your clustered applications, especially Web server applications, can handle more traffic, provide higher availability, and provide faster response times.

These are only a few of the many features of Windows Server 2003.  Other features include Remote OS installation and remote maintenance, .NET services, and Windows Media Services, to name only a few.
A complete comparison chart of all features is available from Microsoft at:
http://www.microsoft.com/WindowsServer2003/sbs/evaluation/features/default.mspx

Article written by MyComputerAid.com

Post from: MyComputerAid.com Computer support

Comparing server 2003 versions

Learn More About AD (Active Directory) Cleanup Wizard

The AD cleanup wizard is utility where it search for multiple directories that are migrated and upgraded to active directory and merges the duplicate Microsoft Windows NT accounts.

Once the utility search for all duplicate Microsoft Windows NT accounts and suggests merging the duplicates. It also detects other duplicate account types, their properties, and attributes merging them into a single user account.

The Active Directory Cleanup Wizard can improve the performance of your Exchange 2K servers by removing any Windows 2k Active Directory duplicates.

Click Start, point to All Programs, point to Microsoft Exchange, point to Deployment, and then click Active Directory Account Cleanup Wizard. Follow the instructions in the wizard to merge your duplicate user objects.

Article written by MyComputerAid.com

Post from: MyComputerAid.com Computer support

Active Directory cleanup wizard

Virtual Private Networking in Microsoft Windows supports two tunneling protocols: L2TP and PPTP. Which VPN tunneling protocol should you use in which circumstance? Here’s a quick guide:

Use PPTP if your enterprise doesn’t have a CA to issue computer certificates and if you need compatibility with VPN client computers running legacy Windows platforms.

Use L2TP if your VPN connections require data integrity and non-reputability and not just the data confidentiality that PPTP provides.

Use PPTP if your VPN clients may be located behind NATs as most NATs can be configured to work with this protocol but not with L2TP.

Article written by MyComputerAid.com

Post from: MyComputerAid.com Computer support

How to choose a tunneling protocol

Windows Server 2003 R2 comes with the newest version of the Microsoft Management Console (MMC Version 3.0). However, in order to use this functionality you will have to unlock it in the system registry.

1. Run your registry editor (regedit.exe from the run prompt)
2. Navigate to HKLMSOFTWAREMicrosoftMMC
3. From the Edit menu, select New > Key
4. Enter the name as “UseNewUI” and select “OK”
5. Exit regedit.exe

Article written by MyComputerAid.com

Post from: MyComputerAid.com Computer support

Enable MMC Version 3 in Windows Server 2003 R2