What to do with Server 2003

[darrelld]

I just got server 2003, and I would like to check it out. Are there any problems Dual booting with XP? What can I do with it that I can't do with XP? I have three computers at home through a router and I want to to install it and be able to utilize some of the unique server features to get some familiarity with it.
So come on with the suggestions and expert advice!

[e980238]

It is a final release yet? I havent been keeping up with the M$ stuff for a while. As far as what you can do with it, you should be able to set up active directory (if they didnt do away with it in 2003) and create a log in server for your LAN. I always had fun as a kid playing around with NT4 server like that

[vass0922]

Be aware if you want to start AD, its not as simple as NT4's just setting up a domain

You have to have DNS setup as well, and getting everything to talk correctly takes some work.

maybe make a local DNS cache server, DHCP server etc.

[e980238]

vass,

yeah true I forgot about how much of a pain it was to set that up with 2000.

darrelld,

You could also set up a local file server

[blubomber]

darrelld,

To really get some use out of Server 2003, you should set it up on its own computer.

From what i understand, setting up AD on 2003 is easier than 2000. I have found that setting up AD in windows 2000 to be very simple. the process even sets up the DNS for you. The only thing you will have to be sure of is that the computers are on the same subnet so they can all communicate. Once you get AD setup, then you can setup users and groups and even do some Group Policy to mess around some.

You can run IIS 6.0 on it also. In normal situations it is not recomended to run IIS on a Domain Controller because of security reasons, but in your situation you should be good to go. And you can also use 2003 as a file server and setup your permissions and things like that.

Is this a trial version of 2003 your are using?

[vass0922]

Getting a solid server built with numerous services running to aid your LAN is definately a great way to learn your way around.
If anything later you can get a linux/samba box and put that onto the network to try tieing linux with windows authentication.