stupid SBS 2003

PirateJon

is there a quick guide to stripping all the SBS stuff out of SBS 2k3 so it's just a file server?

these people have an existing workgroup and I'd rather add a dumb box than configure all the domain, SQL, and MSEX stuff.

Feral

You should be able to reinstall SBS and choose the roles upon reinstallation.

Trying to do it after the fact is a pain in the ass. You could go through and disable services and remove components in Add/Remove programs, but it's messy. I'd just reinstall.

BTW, SBS sucks. Avoid it whenever possible.

PirateJon

TOO LATE ARGH! I was mainly wanting to not have to make the new box a domain controller. Doesn't look like I can get around that.

kb555087 wrote:

Windows 2003 Small Business Server must be a domain controller and hold all FSMO roles for the domain.

Dumb.

I love how they can pay me $150/hr to set this up, but can't find the cash to buy a single windows server license so I don't have to.

Feral

PirateJon wrote: »

kb555087 wrote:

Windows 2003 Small Business Server must be a domain controller and hold all FSMO roles for the domain.

Oh, right, I forgot about that.

Do they have an existing domain controller?

PirateJon

nope. they have 4 workstations in a workgroup to share a printer. They wanted to add a central backup location for files. So they hired a guy that got them to buy a proliant server and SBS w/ cals and all.

yeah, you really need a maxed out dual core box to share a few XLS files. And the 400GB tape drive when all your data files will fit on a CD is awesome.

Feral

Four workstations?

Fuck, you can use XP for that.

Anyway, you can set it up as a domain controller and then just... ignore it. Join the workstations to the domain, or don't, at your discretion.

PirateJon

yeah exactly. anyway, that's part of the plan - ignore MSEX/SQL/DNS/DHCP.

But can I do directory level security on a DC without having the clients be part of that domain? I assume no, but haven't dug into it. I was thinking that they'd at least get a user/pass on the SBS box and add the shared directory as a network place.

Feral

PirateJon wrote: »

yeah exactly. anyway, that's part of the plan - ignore MSEX/SQL/DNS/DHCP.

But can I do directory level security on a DC without having the clients be part of that domain? I assume no, but haven't dug into it. I was thinking that they'd at least get a user/pass on the SBS box and add the shared directory as a network place.

It's been a reeaaaaaaaally long time since I've done it that way, I frankly don't remember.

PirateJon

Same boat here. I do routers and switches now, VOIP, but this was going to be a quick payday... D'OH!

vonPoonBurGer

PirateJon wrote: »

nope. they have 4 workstations in a workgroup to share a printer. They wanted to add a central backup location for files. So they hired a guy that got them to buy a proliant server and SBS w/ cals and all.

yeah, you really need a maxed out dual core box to share a few XLS files. And the 400GB tape drive when all your data files will fit on a CD is awesome.

Wow, so... I guess they've got lots of room to grow?

I actually got my father to buy a Dell server with SBS. It's not too shabby, accomplishes what I wanted it to do (single sign-on for the office, centralized file storage, centralized email, backup & recovery, printer & plotter sharing). It took time to configure, but once I got everything settled it's been mostly hassle-free. He actually has enough data for a 400/800GB LTO3 drive to make some kind of sense though.

exoplasm

You could put Linux on it.

Might as well join them to the domain, though. I don't think it's that big of a deal to migrate profiles.