Category Archives: Servers
Geek Friday: Installing VPN on a Windows 2008 R2 Server
I’ve seen a few guides for installing VPN on a Windows 2008 Server, but some are not for R2 and others are just too confusing, IMO. However, I finally came across “How to Install VPN on Windows Server 2008 R2” on the Thomas Maurer blog. It has step-by-step instructions with screenshots. Best of all, it doesn’t assume you have two network interface cards (NICs) in the machine. Most of the instructions I have seem in the past get very confusing if you only have one NIC.
One of the neat things about the instructions is that it shows how to setup a static IP pool, which may or may not be necessary depending upon how your DHCP server works.
Windows Small Business Server 2011 Standard Now Available, Essentials Coming 1 May
Microsoft has announced its availability for the Standard edition of Windows Small Business Server 2011. Furthermore, the Essentials edition, good for up to 25 users, will be available 1 May 2011. You can read more about them on the Editions Overview page at Microsoft’s website.
Typically, I have suggested that small businesses opt for Windows Server 2008 R2 Foundation edition. However, that’s only a valid option if you are buying new hardware, since Foundation is only licensed to OEMs. If you, for instance, just want to upgrade your Windows 2003 Server, you have to go with Standard, which costs about 50 – 75% of a new server with Foundation anyhow. At least with a new server, you get a one year warranty right at the beginning going through Dell.
Now, small businesses will have the option of going with something that is competitively priced without changing hardware. Plus, SBS 2011 offers significant improvements in workstation backups (check OS availability first). In addition, Microsoft promises easier access to data via “a personalized web address” and better connectivity via the cloud. In fact, Essentials is geared towards connectivity between locations, while Standard is more geared towards a complete “on-premises” solution.
Sources:
