Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2008 has finally been released to manufacturing. This means that around October we'll have the full-release version of Windows Small Business Server 2008. Check this link.
This version of SBS is based upon Server 2008 Longhorn which was based upon Windows Vista. One advantage of this is for those of us who use USB keyboards. There is no text-based installation section and the whole thing is USB keyboard compatible. OK, maybe I'm a bit more excited about that part than most, but that's ok. =)
The pricing has changed also.
I can't wait to actually get my hands on this new version of Microsoft Windows Small Business Server.
Happy Computing,
Tim
This version of SBS is based upon Server 2008 Longhorn which was based upon Windows Vista. One advantage of this is for those of us who use USB keyboards. There is no text-based installation section and the whole thing is USB keyboard compatible. OK, maybe I'm a bit more excited about that part than most, but that's ok. =)
The pricing has changed also.
- 2003 Standard: $599 with 5 CALs
- 2008 Standard: $1,089 with 5 CALs
- 2003 Premium: $1,299 with 5 CALs
- 2008 Premium: $1,899 with 5 CALs
- 2003 1 CAL Standard: No such thing.
- 2008 1 CAL Standard: $77
- 2008 1 CAL Premium: $189
- 2003 5 CALs: $521
- 2008 5 CALs Standard: $385
- 2008 5 CALs Premium: $945
- 2003 20 CALs: $1,841
- 2008 20 CALs Standard: $1,540
- 2008 20 CALs Premium: $3,780
I can't wait to actually get my hands on this new version of Microsoft Windows Small Business Server.
Happy Computing,
Tim
Labels: Computer Networks, My Thoughts, SBS 2003, SBS 2008, software, Windows Server Tips
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As great as it has been to work with Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2003, SBS 2008 looks to be even cooler. There are a bunch of changes that are quite exciting.
Happy Computing,
Tim
- The software works on 64 bit hardware. Only.
- It deploys as Single-NIC only, with a router required as ISA Server will no longer be offered.
- Setup automatically detects your router if addressed between at 192.168.x.1 and 192.168.x.255
- A new Administrator account created during setup and the built-in is disabled out of the box. This means that the admin account can be locked out in the event that it is being bombarded with hacking attempts.
- The system software versions have been updated to Windows Server 2008, Exchange Server 2007 SP1, Windows SharePoint Services v3, WSUS v3
- "My Documents" redirection is no longer all or nothing. You can choose which users should have their "My Documents" redirected to a folder on the server
- CALs for SBS 2008 Standard are now less expensive and you can get "Standard" CALs for users that aren't using the features in Premium.
- CALs purchased in 1, 5, or 25 packs instead of just 5 or 20.
Happy Computing,
Tim
Labels: Computer Networks, Computer Upgrades, My Thoughts, SBS 2003, SBS 2008, software, Windows Server Tips
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I recently ran into a blog by a guy named Sean Daniel. He is a member of Microsoft's Windows SBS Product team. That means that he is intimately familiar with Windows Small Business Server 2003 and 2008.
Sean posts new factoids to his blog just about every day. Some posts are about new features, others are about training opportunities and still others are actual "how to" posts. I am excited about his blog and I wanted to share it with you in the event that you are also interested in Windows Small Business Server 2003 and 2008.
Sean posts new factoids to his blog just about every day. Some posts are about new features, others are about training opportunities and still others are actual "how to" posts. I am excited about his blog and I wanted to share it with you in the event that you are also interested in Windows Small Business Server 2003 and 2008.
Labels: Computer Networks, Computer Upgrades, General PC Advice, How To, SBS 2003, SBS 2008, Tech Talk, Windows Server Tips
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I've been receiving lots of hits to my website asking how to change passwords in Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2003.
If you don't have the legitimate Administrator password you (or your client) either forgot the password or you're trying to hack in to it. And if you're not my client, I won't tell you how to get in.
If you do have administrator access to your Small Business Server 2003 computer, changing users' passwords is extremely easy. Just follow these simple steps.
And if you are interested in a new server for your small business, Biden PC can install one (depending on your current computer network infrastructure) for less than $2000.00.
Happy Computing,
Tim
If you don't have the legitimate Administrator password you (or your client) either forgot the password or you're trying to hack in to it. And if you're not my client, I won't tell you how to get in.
If you do have administrator access to your Small Business Server 2003 computer, changing users' passwords is extremely easy. Just follow these simple steps.
- Go to the Server Management Console and click "Users".
- Choose the user whose password you want to change and right-click on their name then click on "Change Password".
- Type the new password in both boxes and click on "OK". Now the user can log in with their new password.
And if you are interested in a new server for your small business, Biden PC can install one (depending on your current computer network infrastructure) for less than $2000.00.
Happy Computing,
Tim
Labels: Computer Networks, How To, SBS 2003, Services Offered, Tech Talk, Windows Server Tips
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Do you have questions about computer networking? Do you have computer system problems that you haven't gotten fixed. Send us an email at sales@bidenpc.com. We will answer your computer questions in our blog just a few days.
Happy Computing,
Tim
Happy Computing,
Tim
Labels: Computer Networks, Computer Repair, Computer Upgrades, Desktop Support, Free, General PC Advice, Hardware, How To, Tech Talk
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I have a client who has a Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2003 system on his network and he is asking me to compile a list of his users' passwords. The problem is that even with administrator access to the server, I can't see the employees' passwords. I informed him of this and gave him these 3 options as to how he can achieve such a list.
Having a Microsoft Windows 2003 Small Business Server on your network is a great way to increase the security and effectiveness of your small business computer network. It has many options to increase your network security. These options include maximum password life, minimum password complexity, how often you can reuse your passwords and in the event that you forget a password, the administrator can easily reset it. The administrator can't see the employees' passwords but they can reset them to something new.
I hope this helps.
Happy computing,
Tim
- He can ask his employees for their passwords and compile the list himself.
- I can create the list and adjust the users' settings so they can't change their passwords. I can then give them new ones.
- The most secretive way is to perform a brute force attack within the server to attempt to discover the employees passwords. I would then create the list. If they change their passwords, I will have to perform another brute force attack.
- Asking the employees for their passwords could make them feel as though they aren't trusted and cause a feeling of resentment. It could also compromise the users' passwords for other accounts which is a complete lack of security.
- If we state that we are changing the security policy and give the employees new passwords, it is a policy change and they have to accept that. Fortunately that would not compromise the employees' passwords for other accounts.
- The brute force attack is costly. What it entails is essentially hacking his own employees accounts on his own server. It takes time to do this and if the employees find out, their trust in the company could suffer. And like the first scenario of asking for the passwords, this may end up in compromising employees' passwords for other their accounts.
Having a Microsoft Windows 2003 Small Business Server on your network is a great way to increase the security and effectiveness of your small business computer network. It has many options to increase your network security. These options include maximum password life, minimum password complexity, how often you can reuse your passwords and in the event that you forget a password, the administrator can easily reset it. The administrator can't see the employees' passwords but they can reset them to something new.
I hope this helps.
Happy computing,
Tim
Labels: Computer Networks, General PC Advice, My Thoughts, Services Offered, Windows Server Tips
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I often get requests from people who are looking for ways to gain network administrator access on computers or servers. Do you think I'm stupid? I'm not going to give you that!
I will be the first to admit that in my line of business, there are times when using hacking tools is necessary. If a user has locked himself our of a computer, it is my job to give them access again. If a network administrator left (or was fired) and didn't give the business owners the password, the password can often be retrieved by using tools that are commonly available on the internet. If I need to discover how many devices are on the network or what a printer's IP address is, I may use a network enumeration tool.
In my toolbox I keep many network enumeration, wireless sniffing, and password retrieval programs but I am not going to give them to you just because you ask for them. I don't know who you are and therefore I can't know what your true intentions are.
So please, script kiddies and junior hackers of the world, give up and look elsewhere. I'm not going to tell you how to hack my system or anybody else's, even if you do tell me that its your own computer.
Tim
I will be the first to admit that in my line of business, there are times when using hacking tools is necessary. If a user has locked himself our of a computer, it is my job to give them access again. If a network administrator left (or was fired) and didn't give the business owners the password, the password can often be retrieved by using tools that are commonly available on the internet. If I need to discover how many devices are on the network or what a printer's IP address is, I may use a network enumeration tool.
In my toolbox I keep many network enumeration, wireless sniffing, and password retrieval programs but I am not going to give them to you just because you ask for them. I don't know who you are and therefore I can't know what your true intentions are.
So please, script kiddies and junior hackers of the world, give up and look elsewhere. I'm not going to tell you how to hack my system or anybody else's, even if you do tell me that its your own computer.
Tim
Labels: Computer Networks, My Thoughts, software
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This morning I was at a client's office because they had just switched Internet Service Providers (ISP) and their IP (Internet Protocol) Address changed. Under many circumstances, this wouldn't be a big deal because they can be assigned dynamically but because this client went from a static IP address to another static IP addres, their entire network was offline until their router was changed to the new address.
To get their computer network running with the new ISP we had to change the static IP address. Not a problem... Except for the fact that the client didn't have the password for their router. This meant that we had to completely reset their router back to factory settings. Nothing from the old configuration was kept.
Now we had to set the static IP Address, Default Gateway, and DNS entries. We changed the router's internal static IP address settings and the default password to something that he can easily remember.
Much of this hassle could have been averted if the IT Company who installed the network had given him the password. Keeping passwords and documentation is a way that computer companies try to lock you into using their services and that is poor customer service.
Always remember, the computers and network in your home or office are yours. They do not belong to the IT company no matter what they say. If you paid for the hardware, you own it and should have all the passwords and documentation.
If you are in the position where your IT services are holding you hostage, Contact Biden PC. We'll gladly set you free.
Happy Computing,
Tim
To get their computer network running with the new ISP we had to change the static IP address. Not a problem... Except for the fact that the client didn't have the password for their router. This meant that we had to completely reset their router back to factory settings. Nothing from the old configuration was kept.
Now we had to set the static IP Address, Default Gateway, and DNS entries. We changed the router's internal static IP address settings and the default password to something that he can easily remember.
Much of this hassle could have been averted if the IT Company who installed the network had given him the password. Keeping passwords and documentation is a way that computer companies try to lock you into using their services and that is poor customer service.
Always remember, the computers and network in your home or office are yours. They do not belong to the IT company no matter what they say. If you paid for the hardware, you own it and should have all the passwords and documentation.
If you are in the position where your IT services are holding you hostage, Contact Biden PC. We'll gladly set you free.
Happy Computing,
Tim
Labels: Computer Networks, General PC Advice
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Did you know that you can view your FTP files like a normal Windows folder?
Instead of using a standard program to do FTP, you can map a network drive to your FTP account and view your files like you would a normal Windows folder.
Since CyberNet already posted excellent instructions and pictures on how to map a network drive to FTP (primarily in Vista), I'll post about how to do it in XP.
Happy Computing,
Tim
Instead of using a standard program to do FTP, you can map a network drive to your FTP account and view your files like you would a normal Windows folder.
Since CyberNet already posted excellent instructions and pictures on how to map a network drive to FTP (primarily in Vista), I'll post about how to do it in XP.
- Important: First install this fix from Microsoft.
- Open “My Computer”
- In the “Tools” menu, go to “Map Network Drive…”
- In the Setup Wizard, select the “Sign up for online storage or connect to a network server” link at the bottom.
- Another Wizard will pop up, choose “Next”.
- The new screen should have an option highlighted to “Choose another network location”. Click “Next” again.
- Enter in "ftp://your-domain.com" as the network address.
- Unclick "Logon Anonymously" and enter your account logon when asked for a username.
- Now create a name for the drive, maybe something like "Work FTP" or whatever you would like.
- To open your new network drive/FTP site, go to “My Network Places”. You will see a drive with the name you gave it in the previous step.
- If prompted for your username and password, again account details and click "Save Password".
- Go to your Window "Start Menu" and click on "My Network Places".
- Choose the object with the name that you entered previously in step #9 and double click on it.
- You are now looking at your FTP account like it is a normal folder in Windows.
Happy Computing,
Tim
Labels: Computer Networks, General PC Advice, How To, My Thoughts
DiggIt! Del.icio.usWhy Every Small Business Needs a Computer Server
0 Comments Published by Tim Biden on Apr 10, 2008 at 7:59 AM.
Do you own a small business? How many computers do you use at your location? What, you don't have a server? How do you back up all of your files from individual computers? How do you share important files among your employees?
A server really isn't as large an investment as most small businesses imagine and the benefits are immense! A server running Windows Small Business Server 2003 can cost as little as $1,500 and for this you can:
- Host your own email and website
- Store user's data on the server for backup or review
- Share a contact list and calendar
- Control who has access to your computer network
- Control which users have access to which public files and folders
- Access work computers from anywhere else in the world via a web browser
- Access email via a web browser
- Automate the Windows update service for user's PCs
- Control user's password complexity for security
- Reset a user's password in case one forgets theirs or leaves the company
- Share Printers
- Receive faxes via email
Windows Small Business Server is an excellent platform for small businesses because it has many of the features that a large company needs with a much smaller price tag. You get the Windows Server platform, Microsoft Exchange for email as well as to share appointments and calendars, Microsoft Web Server and in the Premium Version you can also get the Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Database.
Whether your company has 3, 25, 50 or even 75 computer users, your company can still use all the functions of Microsoft Small Business Server on just 1 computer. When you are ready to make your small business more efficient and take productivity to the next level, contact Biden PC for your free server consultation.
Remember, servers do more than just store files. They provide backup, security, increased productivity and peace of mind.
Tim
Labels: Computer Networks, Free, General PC Advice, SBS 2003, SBS 2008, Services Offered, Windows Server Tips
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I hate taking my car in to be serviced. I know very little about cars and even less about their internal workings. That's just not interesting to me. So when a mechanic recommends I get this part or that cleaned, I have to rely on how much I trust that person. I often say something to the idea of "I can't do it now but maybe soon." Then I go to someone else and see what they say. I have yet to find a mechanic in California that I really trust. Recommendations are definitely welcome!
Many people feel the same way about computer repair professionals. I have a few clients that aren't certain whether or not to trust me. Unfortunately one man's distrust recent lead him to go against what I told him and cost him an extra two hundred dollars.
As I was configuring accounts on his Small Business Server, I recommended that he create a single sign on for each computer and allow his employees to share those while giving individual access to specific programs. He disagreed and wanted everyone to have individual access to each of 5 computers with the individual access to the program set up on each one. All this without creating roaming profiles.
It would have cost him $100 or $200 to do it my way but he paid $400 to do it his way. The saying goes "The customer is always right" so I did what he wanted. Just before I finished, he asked why we didn't do a single sign on to the computers and individual access to the programs. I explained it and he looked embarrassed. I wish it didn't have to be like that but it wasn't my choice to make.
I understand that not everybody is going to trust service workers because we have to make a living at what we do. Upselling is expected. But, please, at least consider what we have to tell you. It could save you both money and headaches.
Happy Computing!
Tim
Many people feel the same way about computer repair professionals. I have a few clients that aren't certain whether or not to trust me. Unfortunately one man's distrust recent lead him to go against what I told him and cost him an extra two hundred dollars.
As I was configuring accounts on his Small Business Server, I recommended that he create a single sign on for each computer and allow his employees to share those while giving individual access to specific programs. He disagreed and wanted everyone to have individual access to each of 5 computers with the individual access to the program set up on each one. All this without creating roaming profiles.
It would have cost him $100 or $200 to do it my way but he paid $400 to do it his way. The saying goes "The customer is always right" so I did what he wanted. Just before I finished, he asked why we didn't do a single sign on to the computers and individual access to the programs. I explained it and he looked embarrassed. I wish it didn't have to be like that but it wasn't my choice to make.
I understand that not everybody is going to trust service workers because we have to make a living at what we do. Upselling is expected. But, please, at least consider what we have to tell you. It could save you both money and headaches.
Happy Computing!
Tim
Labels: Computer Networks, My Thoughts, SBS 2003, Services Offered
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