In addition to the tools that are listed in the article, you need to add Nagios (http://www.nagios.org). Yes, it runs on Linux, but in a small shop, any old hardware would be able to monitor everything. I monitor 400 servers with more than 1400 services. I need multi-tier escalations, the ability to log Help desk tickets, and the ability to launch scripts against the Windows boxes to repair failed services if necessary.

A few years ago, I worked in a small shop in which I was the only IT guy. I would have killed to have this tool. Our company had no money to spend on WhatsUp Gold or any other tool like it. I’m very interested in the open-source movement because it often offers excellent products that cost only the time that you invest implementing them. If there is a tool that is just as good as a commercial product, Windows & .NET Magazine should present it even if it runs on Linux.]]>Andy Stein Thu, 15 Jan 2004 12:04:56 GMThttp://www.windowsitpro.com/article/internet/web-monitoring-solutions#commentsAnchorhttp://www.windowsitpro.com/article/dhcp2/use-a-vpn-for-wireless-security#commentsAnchorThu, 15 Jan 2004 10:10:30 GMT
Douglas Toombs’s "Use a VPN for Wireless Security" (December 2002, http://www.winnetmag.com, InstantDoc ID 27095) was a great article. His explanations made sense and were clear and to the point. (He should write for Microsoft.) Keep up the great work!]]>Ken Levins Thu, 15 Jan 2004 10:10:30 GMThttp://www.windowsitpro.com/article/dhcp2/use-a-vpn-for-wireless-security#commentsAnchorhttp://www.windowsitpro.com/article/messaging/sbs-s-modem-pooling-service-and-built-in-fax-server-good-things-do-come-in-small-packages#commentsAnchorThu, 04 Dec 2003 13:24:54 GMT
that really stinks! thank goodness we didnt upgrade yet, and now we can’t!]]>Chris S Thu, 04 Dec 2003 13:24:54 GMThttp://www.windowsitpro.com/article/messaging/sbs-s-modem-pooling-service-and-built-in-fax-server-good-things-do-come-in-small-packages#commentsAnchorhttp://www.windowsitpro.com/article/collaboration-data-objects-cdo/get-connected#commentsAnchorWed, 03 Dec 2003 09:29:31 GMT
Site server 3.0 is/was great in its day but Micrsoft no longer supports it and now Windows 2003 is out and Site Server 3.0 and Windows 2003 dont work well together. Are there and products that I can buy and get support on from Microsoft that would provide me with an ILS Server thanks ]]>Chad Manzer Wed, 03 Dec 2003 09:29:31 GMThttp://www.windowsitpro.com/article/collaboration-data-objects-cdo/get-connected#commentsAnchorhttp://www.windowsitpro.com/article/messaging/sbs-s-modem-pooling-service-and-built-in-fax-server-good-things-do-come-in-small-packages#commentsAnchorFri, 21 Nov 2003 03:22:56 GMT
Modem pooling is not included in SBS2003.]]>Frank Laurijssens Fri, 21 Nov 2003 03:22:56 GMThttp://www.windowsitpro.com/article/messaging/sbs-s-modem-pooling-service-and-built-in-fax-server-good-things-do-come-in-small-packages#commentsAnchorhttp://www.windowsitpro.com/article/installation2/deploying-ie-with-ieak#commentsAnchorThu, 20 Nov 2003 14:20:23 GMT
I want to know if there is a problem with using the corporate admin licence and creating a package that can be deployed with an application. When I use the content provider licence version, I do not get many of the options that I want to customize that are in the corporate administrator option. Is there a problem with using the administrator licence and creating a package that my clients will download to their systems and still have the same control as if they were on my network? Thank in advance, ]]>Charles G Thu, 20 Nov 2003 14:20:23 GMThttp://www.windowsitpro.com/article/installation2/deploying-ie-with-ieak#commentsAnchorhttp://www.windowsitpro.com/article/windows-2000/dfs-in-windows-2000#commentsAnchorTue, 18 Nov 2003 18:18:30 GMT
Preety good. You should revise this for windos 2003 now. Much is same - but a lot has changed.]]>Ritu Sangha Tue, 18 Nov 2003 18:18:30 GMThttp://www.windowsitpro.com/article/windows-2000/dfs-in-windows-2000#commentsAnchorhttp://www.windowsitpro.com/article/product-review/conseal-pc-firewall#commentsAnchorFri, 14 Nov 2003 16:04:03 GMT
I t just blocks things and i really do not se the uses in it. If you can tell me them, im open ]]>blocks too much Fri, 14 Nov 2003 16:04:03 GMThttp://www.windowsitpro.com/article/product-review/conseal-pc-firewall#commentsAnchorhttp://www.windowsitpro.com/article/messaging/sbs-s-modem-pooling-service-and-built-in-fax-server-good-things-do-come-in-small-packages#commentsAnchorThu, 06 Nov 2003 17:23:09 GMT
I am interested in picking up the new SBS 2003. My main reasoning is to utilize the features you speak about in the previous version of SBS. Modem pooling and Fax server features. However when I look on Microsoft’s website they do not say whether or not SBS2003 has these features. Do you know if SBS 2003 has the modem pooling option and fax server? Aloha, ]]>Kahea Kamauu Thu, 06 Nov 2003 17:23:09 GMThttp://www.windowsitpro.com/article/messaging/sbs-s-modem-pooling-service-and-built-in-fax-server-good-things-do-come-in-small-packages#commentsAnchorhttp://www.windowsitpro.com/article/internet/ieak-automatic-configuration#commentsAnchorThu, 30 Oct 2003 05:04:04 GMT
I need some help please. I’ve got an "ins" file to create a dialup connection. It works 100%, but the problem that i face is that when it creates the connection it also sets it as my browser’s default connection. Is there a setting or a line that i must add to stop this from happening. See example: [Entry] Entry_Name=DHS [User] Name=test Password=pass Require_Logon=Yes [Phone] Phone_Number=2427500 Area_Code=011 Country_Code=27 Country_ID=27 [Device] Type=modem [Server] Type=PPP SW_Compress=yes PW_Encrypt=no Network_Logon=no SW_Encrypt=no Negotiate_TCP/IP=yes [TCP/IP] Specify_IP_Address=no Specify_Server_Address=Yes IP_Header_Compress=yes Gateway_On_Remote=yes DNS_Address=192.168.41.5 DNS_Alt_Address=0.0.0.0 Thanks]]>Etienne Uys Thu, 30 Oct 2003 05:04:04 GMThttp://www.windowsitpro.com/article/internet/ieak-automatic-configuration#commentsAnchorhttp://www.windowsitpro.com/article/performance/segmenting-your-network#commentsAnchorWed, 29 Oct 2003 07:26:24 GMT
Hi, The article is good.But u need to be some more clear about the routers, bridges, switches, repeators and all That would be more advantageous and the reader can easily understand the difference between them. Thank u]]>gangadharWed, 29 Oct 2003 07:26:24 GMThttp://www.windowsitpro.com/article/performance/segmenting-your-network#commentsAnchorhttp://www.windowsitpro.com/article/messaging/sbs-s-modem-pooling-service-and-built-in-fax-server-good-things-do-come-in-small-packages#commentsAnchorTue, 28 Oct 2003 09:53:41 GMT
Remember, the client limit is 50 for SBS2k and 75 for SBS2k3....not 25 like mentioned in the article. SBS2k3’s Pooling is nice, but not as easy as it seems to configure. I think this incarnation of Windows 2k3 is almost, but not quite there. The next one (prolly around 2k5) will be perfect. ^_^]]>DevinTue, 28 Oct 2003 09:53:41 GMThttp://www.windowsitpro.com/article/messaging/sbs-s-modem-pooling-service-and-built-in-fax-server-good-things-do-come-in-small-packages#commentsAnchorhttp://www.windowsitpro.com/article/product-review/conseal-pc-firewall#commentsAnchorThu, 23 Oct 2003 08:10:35 GMT
Is there a windows XP version ?????????]]>ianThu, 23 Oct 2003 08:10:35 GMThttp://www.windowsitpro.com/article/product-review/conseal-pc-firewall#commentsAnchorhttp://www.windowsitpro.com/article/administration-tools2/disaster-recovery-with-dfs#commentsAnchorMon, 08 Sep 2003 15:43:08 GMT
The author never sems to finish an important point made in the article of using a primary/backup relationshipo when using DFS. He says its good practice to do so, but never clearly demonstrates how to use only ONE copy of the DFS root as the primary, and only use the the backup copy in the event of a catastrophe. With an AD-enabled DFS root, how do you force users to use one copy versus the backup copy? Also, if the the domain controller is not accessible (say in a remote office who loses its WAN link to a centralized DC), but has a file server local (a primary DFS replica), will the users still be able to access the data (assuming an AD based DFS root)?]]>Mike Bedford Mon, 08 Sep 2003 15:43:08 GMThttp://www.windowsitpro.com/article/administration-tools2/disaster-recovery-with-dfs#commentsAnchorhttp://www.windowsitpro.com/article/internet/web-monitoring-solutions#commentsAnchorWed, 26 Mar 2003 14:06:02 GMT
What about a freeware solution like Servers Alive(freeware for 10 or less monitored services) from : http://www.woodstone.nu/salive/features.asp]]>RedWolfWed, 26 Mar 2003 14:06:02 GMThttp://www.windowsitpro.com/article/internet/web-monitoring-solutions#commentsAnchorhttp://www.windowsitpro.com/article/migration/nt-5-0-s-directory-service-migration-tool#commentsAnchorFri, 28 Feb 2003 04:02:04 GMT
HI, I’m wondering if this DSMT is still existing? I cannot find it in Windows 2000 server. Are we suppose to use the MSDSS tools instead? regds ]]>MelFri, 28 Feb 2003 04:02:04 GMThttp://www.windowsitpro.com/article/migration/nt-5-0-s-directory-service-migration-tool#commentsAnchorhttp://www.windowsitpro.com/article/installation2/superior-ris-deploying-alternative-oss#commentsAnchorThu, 14 Nov 2002 20:54:41 GMT
The employees at Lanworks have know started Argon Technology and have released RIS Menu Editor v2.0 http://www.argontechnology.com/risme/ This release of RISME is compatible with images and menu items created with the 3Com Remote Installation Services Menu Editor (3Com RISME) that was released by 3Com in March 2000. In addition to the features of the 3Com RISME, Argon RISME allows the program to be used from an administrator’s desktop (it does not need to be run directly on the server), and it supports .NET Server.]]>Basat Khalifa Thu, 14 Nov 2002 20:54:41 GMThttp://www.windowsitpro.com/article/installation2/superior-ris-deploying-alternative-oss#commentsAnchorhttp://www.windowsitpro.com/article/installation2/superior-ris-deploying-alternative-oss#commentsAnchorWed, 10 Jul 2002 02:45:32 GMT
Yes lanworks moved again.. Here is the url of where I found it. http://www.3com.com/en_US/lanworks/index.html P.S. other o/s’s 3com have tech doc on how to install windows 98 with risme]]>Hereward Greenwood Wed, 10 Jul 2002 02:45:32 GMThttp://www.windowsitpro.com/article/installation2/superior-ris-deploying-alternative-oss#commentsAnchorhttp://www.windowsitpro.com/article/installation2/superior-ris-deploying-alternative-oss#commentsAnchorWed, 10 Jul 2002 02:38:46 GMT
Yes risme has moved again are is the link to where I found it. http://www.3com.com/en_US/lanworks/index.html]]>hereward greenwood Wed, 10 Jul 2002 02:38:46 GMThttp://www.windowsitpro.com/article/installation2/superior-ris-deploying-alternative-oss#commentsAnchorhttp://www.windowsitpro.com/article/system-policies/creating-remote-access-policies#commentsAnchorMon, 29 Apr 2002 07:45:07 GMT
I’m owner of a cybercafe. I’m using Windows 2000 Server Advanced for my server and windows 2000 pro for the workstations which connected through the HUB. I’ve connected with Internet through the Cable modem and my users share it from my server’s workgroup. I didn’t create any domain on my server. Can you please tell me the procedure that, how I could share the same Internet service through dialup from my home pc? I’ve a pc in my home which have External modem and telephone line. I’ve also a telephone line in my cybercafe.]]>naimMon, 29 Apr 2002 07:45:07 GMThttp://www.windowsitpro.com/article/system-policies/creating-remote-access-policies#commentsAnchorhttp://www.windowsitpro.com/article/installation2/superior-ris-automating-application-setups#commentsAnchorThu, 25 Apr 2002 06:37:33 GMT
Just a comment about Windows Installer customization. You can use Microsoft Transform(mst) Files to customize the application being installed. I’ve used them in the past to customize MS and other vendors’ apps and then rolled them out with SMS.]]>John Correa Thu, 25 Apr 2002 06:37:33 GMThttp://www.windowsitpro.com/article/installation2/superior-ris-automating-application-setups#commentsAnchorhttp://www.windowsitpro.com/article/product-review/webmail#commentsAnchorThu, 11 Apr 2002 10:36:04 GMT
I have a network that when you plug a network cable on a laptop/pc on lets say 2nd floor, you have to release it before moving to lets say 3rd floor else the laptop will not work on 3rd floor. Any ideas?]]>Roselyn Thu, 11 Apr 2002 10:36:04 GMThttp://www.windowsitpro.com/article/product-review/webmail#commentsAnchorhttp://www.windowsitpro.com/article/telnet/the-freedom-of-telnet#commentsAnchorMon, 25 Mar 2002 15:56:03 GMT
Typical. Now that Telnet is obsolete and SSH is the status quo for that type of management it would be expected that microsoft would incorporate it in to their software as another vulnerability. They love to steal other vendors ideas and implement them in their own software! Day late dollar short Bill?]]>SuSE Mon, 25 Mar 2002 15:56:03 GMThttp://www.windowsitpro.com/article/telnet/the-freedom-of-telnet#commentsAnchorhttp://www.windowsitpro.com/article/windows-client/create-a-virtual-private-network-with-rras#commentsAnchorWed, 13 Mar 2002 03:31:01 GMT
I agree with James H. Barnes, this is meant to be Windows & .NET Magazine, not Windows 95 magazine]]>William King Wed, 13 Mar 2002 03:31:01 GMThttp://www.windowsitpro.com/article/windows-client/create-a-virtual-private-network-with-rras#commentsAnchorhttp://www.windowsitpro.com/article/domains2/single-domain-migration#commentsAnchorTue, 09 Oct 2001 14:14:06 GMT
I very much enjoyed this article. As we are a small organization with only one domain, this will be helpful in migrating from NT to W2K server. ]]>Renee O'Malley Tue, 09 Oct 2001 14:14:06 GMThttp://www.windowsitpro.com/article/domains2/single-domain-migration#commentsAnchorhttp://www.windowsitpro.com/article/domains2/single-domain-migration#commentsAnchorTue, 09 Oct 2001 14:14:06 GMT
I very much enjoyed this article. As we are a small organization with only one domain, this will be helpful in migrating from NT to W2K server. I did notice an area in your article that needs fixing. You need to go back in and modify your figures. Figure 1 should be Figure 2, Figure 2 should be Figure 1, and Figure 3 should be Figure 2.]]>Renee O'Malley Tue, 09 Oct 2001 14:14:06 GMThttp://www.windowsitpro.com/article/domains2/single-domain-migration#commentsAnchorhttp://www.windowsitpro.com/article/installation2/superior-ris-deploying-alternative-oss#commentsAnchorTue, 09 Oct 2001 11:04:50 GMT
Although this is an interesting article, I would like for someone to give me an example of an OS that you could actually use the 3Com editor for.]]>Derrick Hawkins Tue, 09 Oct 2001 11:04:50 GMThttp://www.windowsitpro.com/article/installation2/superior-ris-deploying-alternative-oss#commentsAnchorhttp://www.windowsitpro.com/article/telnet/the-freedom-of-telnet#commentsAnchorFri, 20 Jul 2001 01:42:02 GMT
About "net stop ": Actually you can use the long service name instead of the short name such as W3SVC (no one wants to remember such cryptic names anyway), just use the quotes for the long name and it should work.]]>Tomofumi Masuda Fri, 20 Jul 2001 01:42:02 GMThttp://www.windowsitpro.com/article/telnet/the-freedom-of-telnet#commentsAnchorhttp://www.windowsitpro.com/article/installation2/superior-ris-automating-application-setups#commentsAnchorThu, 12 Jul 2001 12:09:03 GMT
Transform Files to the Rescue

The "Superior RIS" articles by Douglas Toombs are excellent. I have something to add to "Superior RIS: Automating Application Setups" (May 2001). The author writes that a drawback to Windows Installer installations is that you can’t change the installation parameters. Good news! You can modify the properties for a Windows Installer (.msi) database with a Windows Installer transform (.mst) file.

After you create an .mst file with customized parameters, you can deploy it with the TRANSFORMS property of msiexec.exe. The Microsoft article "How to Use Property Reference Command-Line Parameters with Msiexec.exe" (http://support .microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/ q230/7/81.asp) documents what to do. The command

msiexec.exe /i MyApp.msi TRANSFORMS=MyTransform.mst

installs the MyApp application with the customized parameters in MyTransform.mst.]]>Christian Schindler Thu, 12 Jul 2001 12:09:03 GMThttp://www.windowsitpro.com/article/installation2/superior-ris-automating-application-setups#commentsAnchorhttp://www.windowsitpro.com/article/migration/migrating-domain-controllers-to-windows-2000#commentsAnchorTue, 06 Mar 2001 11:48:15 GMT
We all know each of us is the undisputed king in our own minds. So instead of saying negative things about the author why don’t you write something up with your own time and post it. Strahd....]]>Strahd Tue, 06 Mar 2001 11:48:15 GMThttp://www.windowsitpro.com/article/migration/migrating-domain-controllers-to-windows-2000#commentsAnchorhttp://www.windowsitpro.com/article/migration/migrating-domain-controllers-to-windows-2000#commentsAnchorWed, 17 Jan 2001 17:55:09 GMT
while mahmood jaffer realizes the implications of migrating domain controllers, he does not seem to understand the logic behind this, maybe a quick tutorial from me would help.]]>Shabbir Ahmed Wed, 17 Jan 2001 17:55:09 GMThttp://www.windowsitpro.com/article/migration/migrating-domain-controllers-to-windows-2000#commentsAnchorhttp://www.windowsitpro.com/article/windows-2000/configure-a-win2k-vpn#commentsAnchorFri, 22 Dec 2000 12:00:26 GMT
Great Article!! I only wish It would have been published about 2 months ago while wrestling to establish a VPN in record time without to much knowledge. It was a Bear trying to sift through all the Info Microsoft has out there on VPNs and to simplify the steps needed to accomplish this. Douglas Toombs does a super job on simplifying the process for setting the VPN up and he is right: Although setting up a VPN can be a complex task, after it’s working, it’s a very cost-effective means of keeping offices connected. During my progress with the VPN one questions popped up: What toll does the PPTP / L2TP encryption overhead exact on the speed of let’s say a T-1?...]]>Patrick Pieters-Kwiers Fri, 22 Dec 2000 12:00:26 GMThttp://www.windowsitpro.com/article/windows-2000/configure-a-win2k-vpn#commentsAnchorhttp://www.windowsitpro.com/article/product-review/conseal-pc-firewall#commentsAnchorMon, 27 Nov 2000 15:23:14 GMT
There is a WIN2000 version now]]>YFH Mon, 27 Nov 2000 15:23:14 GMThttp://www.windowsitpro.com/article/product-review/conseal-pc-firewall#commentsAnchorhttp://www.windowsitpro.com/article/windows-2000/configure-a-win2k-vpn#commentsAnchorThu, 02 Nov 2000 14:55:07 GMT
I’m an employee of a large aerospace company, and I’ve been reading a copy of Windows 2000 Magazine that the company provides through its periodicals library. I received the September issue (my name was third on the routing slip), and in the table of contents, I found several articles I wanted to read. Turning to Douglas Toombs’ "Configure a Win2K VPN," I was very disappointed to find that someone else had cut out the article­--a testament to the usefulness of the magazine!

Today I ordered the magazine for myself at home­--no more missing articles or receiving the magazine after other people have gone through it. The online access is a definite bonus.

]]>Jim Benedict Thu, 02 Nov 2000 14:55:07 GMThttp://www.windowsitpro.com/article/windows-2000/configure-a-win2k-vpn#commentsAnchorhttp://www.windowsitpro.com/article/encryption2/encrypting-internet-email-with-exchange-server#commentsAnchorWed, 04 Oct 2000 16:41:45 GMT
For those of you who have questions in regards to whether or not data ever gets intercepted as it crosses the Internet, here is the response from Mark Joseph Edwards at windowsitsecurity.com: "When you send data across the Internet, those packets travel over many networks. Anywhere along the route data can be captured. If someone wanted your data through PacBell, they’d probably crack a system and install some sniffer software--that way they don’t have to physically break in. This can and does happen all the time. There are countless news reports on the Internet of data being stolen in this exact manner." I hope this information helps. Thanks for reading! ]]>Douglas Toombs Wed, 04 Oct 2000 16:41:45 GMThttp://www.windowsitpro.com/article/encryption2/encrypting-internet-email-with-exchange-server#commentsAnchorhttp://www.windowsitpro.com/article/encryption2/encrypting-internet-email-with-exchange-server#commentsAnchorTue, 26 Sep 2000 03:05:44 GMT
I would just like to add my support to Carlos Campos´comments if anyone can offer an explanation I would be very grateful.]]>John Taylor Tue, 26 Sep 2000 03:05:44 GMThttp://www.windowsitpro.com/article/encryption2/encrypting-internet-email-with-exchange-server#commentsAnchor