CHAPTER 4 Administering and Monitoring Your Server
Microsoft® Windows® Small Business Server 2003 provides administrators with a powerful and user-friendly interface for managing your network and delivers many tools that enable you to manage the server from both local and remote locations. You can also monitor server performance and usage and receive alerts when server resources need attention. Additionally, you can delegate some management tasks to an onsite power user.
This chapter provides an overview of the tools that Windows Small Business Server 2003 provides and outlines how you can manage the network from remote locations.
Administering Your Server
Windows Small Business Server 2003 includes tools that help you manage your small business network. These tools are easily accessible from specially designed management consoles and make the tasks of configuring and managing your server less complicated.
Management Consoles
To simplify the job of managing the server, Windows Small Business Server 2003 provides two management consoles with an assortment of preinstalled tools. They are described in the following sections.
Server Management
Server Management is designed for people who have full responsibility for managing the server. It contains the necessary management components and tools for routine management. Server Management also includes an Advanced Management area that contains less frequently used tools.
Server Management comes preconfigured with the following management components:
| Management component | Description |
|---|---|
To Do List |
Contains links to the tools and information necessary to complete the configuration of Windows Small Business Server 2003. |
Information Center |
Contains links to documentation and Web resources specific to Windows Small Business Server 2003. |
Internal Web Site |
Contains tools that help manage and customize your company's internal Web site. |
Monitoring and Reporting |
Contains tools that enable you to view current server performance and usage reports, view event logs and services, and set up or modify monitoring configurations. |
Internet and E-mail |
Contains tools that help you configure a firewall, Internet and remote access, e-mail, and phone and modem options. |
Shares |
Contains tools that enable you to view and manage shared folders on the computer running Windows Small Business Server 2003. |
Backup |
Contains tools that enable you to view backup status, to define and implement a backup schedule, and to perform regular system and data backups on the computer running Windows Small Business Server 2003. |
Licensing |
Contains tools that help you view, activate, backup, and restore Windows Small Business Server 2003 client access licenses. |
Users |
Contains tools that help you create, modify, and delete user accounts. |
Client Computers |
Contains tools that help you create computer accounts, connect client computers to the network, and assign and deploy client applications. |
Server Computers |
Contains tools that help you add Windows-based servers to the Windows Small Business Server 2003 network, connect to computers using Terminal Services, and view event logs and services. |
Printers |
Contains tools that help you manage network printers and print jobs. |
Distribution Groups |
Contains tools that help you add and remove distribution groups and modify the properties of existing distribution groups. |
Security Groups |
Contains tools that help you add and remove security groups and modify the properties of existing security groups. |
User Templates |
Contains tools that help you add and remove user templates, modify the properties of existing user templates, and import or export user templates from or to another computer running Windows Small Business Server 2003. |
Advanced Management |
Contains links to tools for managing advanced server features. |
Note
To open Server Management, click Start, and then click Server Management.
Server Management for Power Users
Server Management for Power Users is designed for individuals who have been delegated responsibility for providing a limited amount of management support to the server administrator. To access this console, users must be members of the Domain Power Users security group.
Server Management for Power Users allows users to perform basic management tasks, such as adding users and groups, resetting passwords, or clearing printer queues. The console tree is hidden, preventing users from accessing advanced management features that require administrator permissions. The console prevents the deletion of some objects such as users or computers.
The console comes preconfigured with the following management components:
| Management component | Description |
|---|---|
Users |
Contains tools to add and manage user accounts. |
Computers |
Contains tools to manage computers and client applications. |
Groups |
Contains tools to add and manage distribution and security groups. |
Printers and Fax Printers |
Contains tools to add and manage printers and fax devices. |
Intranet |
Contains tools to manage your company's internal Web site. |
Shared Folders |
Contains tools to add and manage shared folders. |
Note
To open Server Management for Power Users, click Start, and then click Server Management. If you are a member of the Domain Admins group and want to open Server Management for Power Users, click Start, click Run, and then type: %systemdrive%\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Microsoft\SmallBusinessServer\Administration\mysbsconsole.msc
Management and Configuration Tools
Windows Small Business Server 2003 provides numerous wizards and other configuration tools that simplify and help you perform common server management tasks, such as adding users, backing up your system and data files, or connecting to the Internet.
The following tables describe some of the commonly used tools that are included with Windows Small Business Server 2003.
Tools for managing users
| Configuration tool | Description |
|---|---|
Add a User |
Creates one or more new user accounts and gives the user access to resources on the server. |
Configure Password Policies |
Defines the policy for length, complexity, and age of users passwords. |
Change User Permissions |
Changes permissions by applying a user template to one or more users. |
Add a Template |
Creates a new user template. |
Change Password |
Enables you to reset the network password for a user account that you select. |
Tools for managing computers
| Configuration tool | Description |
|---|---|
Set Up Client Computers |
Creates computer accounts, configures network, and deploys client applications. |
Set Up Client Applications |
Modifies the list of applications available for deploying to client computers. |
Assign Applications to Client Computers |
Assigns applications available to deploy client computers on the network. |
Upgrade Client Computers |
Specifies which client applications will be upgraded during client setup. |
Set Up Server Computers |
Joins additional servers to the network. |
Tools for managing groups
| Configuration tool | Description |
|---|---|
Add a Distribution Group |
Creates a distribution group and assigns users and other groups as members. |
Add a Security Group |
Creates a security group and assigns users and other groups as members. |
Tools for managing your network and communications
| Configuration tool | Description |
|---|---|
Connect to the Internet |
Configures your server's network, firewall, secure Web site, publishing, and e-mail settings to properly connect to the Internet. |
Configure Remote Access |
Configures remote access to the computer running Windows Small Business Server 2003, using a dial-in connection or a virtual private network (VPN). |
Change Server IP Address |
Assigns a new IP address and subnet mask to the network adapter used for network services. |
Configure Fax Services |
Configures fax modems to send and receive faxes. |
Tools for monitoring server performance and usage
| Configuration tool | Description |
|---|---|
Set Up Monitoring Reports and Alerts |
Enables, modifies, or repairs the monitoring and reporting features in Windows Small Business Server 2003. |
Change Alert Notifications |
Configures alert options and thresholds, and specifies users who will receive alerts in e-mail. |
Tools for managing client access licenses
| Configuration tool | Description |
|---|---|
Add Licenses |
Activates client access licenses. |
Back Up Licenses |
Creates a backup copy of your client access licenses. |
Tools for managing files
| Configuration tool | Description |
|---|---|
Import Files |
Moves shared files from anywhere on your network to a document library in Windows® SharePoint® Services that users can easily access. |
Configure Backup |
Configures and schedules complete backups of the entire server. |
Tools for sharing network resources
| Configuration tool | Description |
|---|---|
Add a Printer |
Enables you to install printers on your Windows Small Business Server network. |
Add a Shared Folder |
Creates a shared folder on the server. |
For more information about management consoles, see Help and Support Center after Setup is complete. To open Help and Support Center, on a computer running Windows Small Business Server 2003, click Start, click Help and Support, and then search for "Understanding server tools."
User Templates
Windows Small Business Server 2003 provides user templates that enable you to standardize common user properties, such as group memberships, Windows SharePoint Services site groups, disk quotas, and company address information for new user accounts. Creating a user account that is based on a user template reduces the need to manually enter account properties. When creating a new user account, you enter the unique information, such as user name, e-mail alias, and password, and the new account inherits common properties from the template you apply. While the template settings are based on the needs of a typical small business, the user templates can be modified to fit your particular needs. You can also create new templates.
The user templates provided by Windows Small Business Server 2003 are:
| Template name | Description |
|---|---|
User Template |
Accounts based on this template have access to shared folders, printers and faxes, e-mail, and the Internet. Users can open a Remote Desktop Connection to their computer running Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional, but not to the computer running Windows Small Business Server 2003. |
Mobile User Template |
Accounts based on this template have all the permissions of the User Template, and users can access the network remotely through a virtual private network (VPN) or dial-up connection. |
Power User Template |
Accounts based on this template have all the permissions of the Mobile User Template but can also perform delegated management tasks. A Small Business Power User can log on remotely to the computer running Windows Small Business Server 2003 but cannot log on locally. |
Administrator Template |
Accounts based on this template have unrestricted system access. |
For more information about user templates, see Help and Support Center after Setup is complete. To open Help and Support Center, on a computer running Windows Small Business Server 2003, click Start, click Help and Support, and then search for "Managing user templates."
Managing Your Server From Remote Locations
Rather than reporting to the office for each administrative task that needs to be accomplished, administrators can use the built-in remote management tools included with Windows Small Business Server 2003 to manage the server from off-site locations.
After completing the Connect to the Internet and Configure Remote Access tasks on the To Do List, you can easily connect to remote servers in the following ways.
Connect using the Remote Web Workplace
Using the Remote Web Workplace, you can access your company's server from any Internet-enabled computer such as a home computer, Internet kiosk, or laptop. By default, all users created using a Windows Small Business Server 2003 user template can access the Remote Web Workplace. In addition, domain administrators can access the Remote Web Workplace administrator page to:
- Access server desktops.
- Access client desktops.
- Monitor Help Desk.
- Administer the company's internal Web site.
- View server performance and usage reports.
To access your company's Remote Web Workplace, open your Web browser and navigate to the external URL (for example, https://www.cohowinery.com/remote).
For more information about the administrator features in Remote Web Workplace, see Help and Support Center after Setup is complete. To open Help and Support Center, on a computer running Windows Small Business Server 2003, click Start, click Help and Support, and then search for "Understanding Remote Web Workplace administrator features."
Connect using Remote Desktop Connection
With Remote Desktop Connection, you can easily connect to a Terminal Server or to the desktop of a computer running one of the Windows Server™ 2003 family operating systems or Windows® XP for remote administration. All you need is network access and permissions to connect to the other computer. Optionally, you can specify special settings for your connection and then save the settings for the next time you connect.
To enable your computer to accept remote connections, your computer must be running Windows NT® Server 4.0 Terminal Server Edition, Windows 2000 Server, Windows XP Professional, or a Windows Server 2003 family operating system.
For more information about Remote Desktop Connection, see Help and Support Center after Setup is complete. To open Help and Support Center, on a computer running Windows Small Business Server 2003, click Start, click Help and Support, and then search for "Remote Desktop Connection overview."
Monitoring Your Server
The Monitoring and Reporting snap-in in Server Management helps you proactively monitor server performance and usage and respond more quickly when a problem arises. It provides information about server performance and usage and access to tools used to configure monitoring options.
Server performance and usage reports
Windows Small Business Server 2003 performance and usage reports contain detailed information about the overall health and use of your server. Performance reports contain system information, and information about processes, backup, services, and critical alerts and event log messages. Usage reports contain information about users' Internet, e-mail, and fax usage, as well as Outlook® Web Access and remote connectivity.
The reports are created automatically based upon selections you make when you run the Monitoring Configuration Wizard. Administrators can view the reports in the following ways:
- Click the Monitoring and Reporting snap-in in Server Management.
- Follow links to the reports from the Remote Web Workplace.
- Receive the reports in e-mail.
Additionally, you can grant other users permission to view the server usage report from the Remote Web Workplace and from a page on your company's internal Web site at: https://ServerName/monitoring
Alert Notifications
To help you become aware of potential problems with the server and to take corrective action more quickly, Windows Small Business Server 2003 includes a predefined set of alerts that are generated when a selected service is not running or when the threshold for a selected performance counter or event log error is exceeded. Alert activity is summarized in the server performance report. You can also choose to receive an e-mail message when an alert is generated.
The following tools are included to help you enable and configure the Monitoring and Reporting features in Windows Small Business Server 2003.
| Monitoring tool | Description |
|---|---|
Set Up Monitoring Reports and Alerts |
Runs the Monitoring Configuration Wizard, which enables, modifies, or repairs monitoring and reporting features. |
Change Server Status Report Settings |
Opens the Server Status Reports configuration tool, from which you can create, modify, or remove server performance and usage reports. With this tool, you can specify the type of content contained in a report sent in e-mail, attach log files to the report, specify e-mail recipients, and change the time that the report is scheduled to run. |
Change Alert Notifications |
Opens the Alert Notifications configuration tool, from which you can configure the default alerts and thresholds that are sent to administrators when a selected service is not running or when the threshold for a selected performance counter is exceeded. |
For more information about monitoring and reporting features in Windows Small Business Server 2003, see Help and Support Center after Setup is complete. To open Help and Support Center, on a computer running Windows Small Business Server 2003, click Start, click Help and Support, and then search for "Monitor your server."