Providing Internet services is one of the most complicated configuration tasks an administrator faces today. With so many services running on a single server, it is critical for an administrator to understand how the Small Business Server network is designed and how to use the custom tools Microsoft Small Business Server provides.
A key function of Small Business Server is its ability to provide Internet services to the small business network. To facilitate the configuration tasks for these Internet services, Small Business Server supplies the Small Business Server Internet Connection Wizard.
The following describes various network services commonly used in small business environments, outlines the network topologies supported by Small Business Server, and specifies how to use the Small Business Server Internet Connection Wizard.
The steps for configuring remote access on your Small Business Server using a dial-up or virtual private network (VPN) are also covered..
- Network Services
Small Business Server supplies numerous services including DNS, Windows Internet Name Service (WINS), DHCP, Microsoft Internet Security and Acceleration (ISA) Server 2000, Microsoft Internet Information Services (IIS) 5.0, and Microsoft Exchange 2000 Server that provide seamless networking features to the Small Business Server network.
It is important to understand the various services that work together in the Small Business Server network. Additionally, to automatically configure their network services and ensure proper configuration, it is highly recommended that administrators use the Small Business Server Internet Connection Wizard.
- Network Topologies
There are a number of different methods to connect your small business network to the Internet.
- Full-time Broadband Connection
A full-time broadband connection is a high speed connection to the Internet always available using a networking device such as a cable modem or DSL modem. The full-time broadband connection requires two network adapters be installed in your Small Business Server computer.
The first, an external network adapter, is used to connect your Small Business Server computer to the Internet. The second, a local network adapter, is used to connect your client computers to your Small Business Server computer.
A full-time broadband connection also requires that ISA Server be installed to provide routing and NAT services.
- Router
- Modem or Terminal Adapter
This connection uses a modem or Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) terminal adapter to connect to the Internet. To provide dialling functionality for Internet connections, ISA Server must also be installed.
With a dial-up connection, it is important that the modem device is connected to the Small Business Server and turned on before running the Small Business Server Internet Connection Wizard. It is also recommended that an external modem is used. If a problem with the modem occurs, it is then possible to reset the modem without having to restart the entire server.
- Common Configuration Mistakes
- Remote Access
Many small businesses have remote clients that need to connect to the Small Business Server network and use resources as if the client was connected locally. In Small Business Server, this functionality is provided by the Routing and Remote Access Service.
To configure remote access for users, it is necessary to configure the Routing and Remote Access Service to allow dial-in connections and/or virtual private networking connections to the Small Business Server. It is also necessary to give these users permissions to access the server remotely.
Configuring Remote Access
To configure the Small Business Server for remote access, you must configure the following services
