Windows 2003 server

[emmd]

How easy is it for a person with mainly single user PC experience and some Ad-hoc and infrastructure at home experience, as well as hardware knowledge for home networks to get more or less straight into a job involving windows 2003 server and some terminals. This is what I'm looking into. I'm also afraid I might be jumping into the deep end as I have to manage on my own with no other help. However, I can research a bit etc and troubleshoot. Since it's a small business timing is critical too. Let me know what you guys think. Cheers.

[Digerati]

I think your crazy!

lol, only kidding.

I'm actually about to do my 1st MCSE on server 2003 and I can tell you its not a simple OS.... But, if your only managing a very small and simple network (5 PC's tops all running pop 3 mail etc) then it is very easy and all you need to do is research a bit on how active directory works, setting up domains and users etc. But when Exchange gets involved its best you get qualified or experianced elsewhere as exchange can get very complicated.

Your best bet is to buy an Admin Win2k3 bible or something of the like, that way if you do run into problems you can solve them quickly. Also there are alot of teky sites out there which have forums stacked full of information about 2003 and other business software.

[emmd]

It's around 10 systems... should I be starting to panic?

[Digerati]

I think as long as its all simple set up. Eg, you've created a domain, created the users and added the users to the domain and all the server is doing is acting as a file server and/or print server with e-mail going straight out to POP servers, then it'll be fine because there is very little to manage and maintain.

It look me about a month of playing around to get confident in 2003. You'll be fine

[emmd]

Thanks for the vote of confidence because I think I lack it!

[Moby-Dick]

I think you mean MCP

emmd - it sounds like the job you are looking at might use Small Business Server 2003. If so , you are in luck , its an excellent product and will teach you a fair few of the skills usefull in larger scale networks ( eg exchange ) without not being too user unfriendly.

As above I'd suggest a couple of the SBS 2003 books on the market , much of SBS2003 is wizard driven , leaving you to do some of the flashier stuff yourself

[Digerati]

I think you mean MCP

Hehe, yes I do

much of SBS2003 is wizard driven , leaving you to do some of the flashier stuff yourself

Doh! How did I forget that bit. Thats one of the nicest parts of SBS2003, makes life alot easier. With Wizards all over the software Emmd your network will be magical

(sorry, bad joke i know...please don't ban me *cry*)

[TiMeZeRo]

good luck mate hope it all works out im bout to hopefully do a microsoft .net programming course but not 100% which to do need to look at the whole list of mcrosoft qualifications as there might be somin better for me