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Experiences in Windows Server 2003 Deployments. Craig Liddle, Consultant Centerlogic, Portland, OR. Overview. Who is Centerlogic Centerlogic Windows Server 2003 involvement General Deployment Scenarios Centerlogic Customer Scenarios Deployment Lessons Learned Customer Offerings.
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Experiences in Windows Server 2003 Deployments Craig Liddle, Consultant Centerlogic, Portland, OR
Overview • Who is Centerlogic • Centerlogic Windows Server 2003 involvement • General Deployment Scenarios • Centerlogic Customer Scenarios • Deployment Lessons Learned • Customer Offerings
Who is Centerlogic? • Microsoft Gold Certified Partner • Participant in Microsoft Rapid Adoption programs
Windows Server 2003 Involvement • Beta program • Engineers implementing in labs and at home • Early looks at the product • Microsoft Rapid Adoption Program • Deploying 2003 prior to general release • Working with customers on utilizing the new features of 2003 • Utilized Server 2003 with the SharePoint rapid deployment program • Early adopters • Customers looking for longer support window • Customers wanting to use the new features • Customers wanting to move to current release • Preparation for Exchange 2003/SharePoint 2003
General Deployment Scenarios • 2003 for AD • Platform for LDAP • Platform for Exchange 2003 • 2003 for specific services • SharePoint • Web Servers • .NET Web Services • Group Policy management • Terminal Services
Centerlogic Customer Scenarios • Enterprise Migration from NT 4.0 • Design, Planning, Testing, and Assistance on initial migration • Reasons for the move • Updated Exchange • Beginning of the support curve • Skipping Windows 2000 • LDAP platform • Delegation of admin • Group Policy • RSoP (Resultant Set of Policy) • Web Server migration from NT 4.0 • Planning and migration from NT4 and IIS4 to Server 2003 and IIS6 • Reason for the move • Faster • Support of Front Page entensions • More Secure • Fits into .NET Application strategy
Centerlogic Customer Scenarios • SharePoint 2003 • Design, planning and Implementation of SharePoint portals • Used Server 2003 • AD • IIS 6 • Part of Microsoft rapid deployment program • Small business Migration from NT 4.0 • Design, Planning, Testing, and Assistance on initial migration • Reasons for the move • Updated Exchange • Beginning of the support curve • Delegation of admin • Group Policy • RSoP (Resultant Set of Policy) • No lab for testing migration • Small number of servers • Utilizing older hardware
Centerlogic Customer Scenarios • Terminal services and Citrix • Design, planning and implementation • Reasons • Increased security • Fast web services with IIS 6 • Fast terminal services, New RDP 5.1 • Improved Group Policy support • RSoP (Resultant Set of Policies) • Increased Screen size, 1600 x 1200 • Increased Color Depth 24bit true color
Deployment Lessons Learned • Plan migration • Testing prior to migration important • Hardware is primary concern • CDONTS.dll Issue • Mail object removed in Windows Server 2003 • No Documentation • Unpatched servers caused problems or delays • Training • Infrastructure compatibility • Backup Software • Anti-virus Software • Legacy OS on Client machines
Deployment Lessons Learned • MS security defaults • IE Security application • IIS 6 has turned off Scripts • DHCP • Upgrade prior to migration • Server 2003 Success has prompted: • Platform for integration, .NET • Move web services in house • Remote office Terminal Server/Citrix strategy • Additional administration capabilities • Group Policy • Delegation of Admin • LDAP platform • PAM (Pluggable Authentication Module) integration • Exchange 2003
Recommendations • NT4 Customers should consider direct jump to Server 2003 (skip W2K) • Evaluate current server hardware • Hardware Vendors (e.g. COMPAQ and DELL) have caveats • Consider server consolidation • Consider internal hosting of Internet servers • Be aware of the CDONTS issue • Be aware of tighter default security • Terminal Server enhancements should be evaluated, especially for remote offices. • Address client strategy (e.g. legacy issues, XP enhancements) • Group Policy administrators can benefit from Server 2003
Centerlogic Briefings • Upgrading to Microsoft Windows Server 2003 • Collaboration with Microsoft SharePoint 2003 • Terminal Services for User productivity • Microsoft Exchange 2003 • Business Intelligence • Microsoft Biztalk • Secure Identity Management • Desktop Management
Contact Info: cliddle@centerlogic.com mbarrett@centerlogic.com Office: 503.228.8886 www.centerlogic.com