Hi chaps
I am a very advanced and experienced user of all Windows OS's including trouble shooting and fixing Windows since 3.1 and before that DOS.
I build PC's for customers and trouble shoot hardware as well, there is pretty much nothing I can't fix when it comes to PC's basically
I currently do this for a living and have been self employed for the last 3-4 years mainly with residential and small business's with 5-10 employees.
Now during my 15 years experience I have never really used or come into contact with Windows Server, I have always meant to get more experience with it but never really had the time.
I have now installed it on a spare machine I have here and had a little play and I feel I could pick it up very quickly but am aware that it's a big OS and there is lots to learn!
I have been asked to support a fairly big network of 40ish PC's running Windows XP and there is two Servers running Windows Server 2003 (both DC's as far as I can tell) The current guy has left the company in the lurch and is not responding to calls and has basically vanished.
I visited today to do a little audit and everything looks in order and there is no major problems as far as the customer knows either although there are some small problems occurring, the main server has 35'ish clients connecting and the current roles in Mange my Server are:
File Server
Print Server
Application Server
Domain Controller
DNS Server
DHCP Server
WINS Server
The customer is a relation to me and would really like me to take it over as they have had bad experiences in the past, my question is do you think I can pick up what I need to as I go along or by buying a Windows Server 2003 bible (if there is such a thing) or from help on here and other forums?
I there some video tutorials around or a really good intensive course paid or free?
If I did decide to take the maintenance on do you think it would be best to start a fresh, wipe the server and set it up myself so I know what is going on and gain experience or leave it alone as it's working but with some one else's possible mess?
I know there are lots of questions here but any input would be greatly appreciated
I am a very advanced and experienced user of all Windows OS's including trouble shooting and fixing Windows since 3.1 and before that DOS.
I build PC's for customers and trouble shoot hardware as well, there is pretty much nothing I can't fix when it comes to PC's basically
I currently do this for a living and have been self employed for the last 3-4 years mainly with residential and small business's with 5-10 employees.
Now during my 15 years experience I have never really used or come into contact with Windows Server, I have always meant to get more experience with it but never really had the time.
I have now installed it on a spare machine I have here and had a little play and I feel I could pick it up very quickly but am aware that it's a big OS and there is lots to learn!
I have been asked to support a fairly big network of 40ish PC's running Windows XP and there is two Servers running Windows Server 2003 (both DC's as far as I can tell) The current guy has left the company in the lurch and is not responding to calls and has basically vanished.
I visited today to do a little audit and everything looks in order and there is no major problems as far as the customer knows either although there are some small problems occurring, the main server has 35'ish clients connecting and the current roles in Mange my Server are:
File Server
Print Server
Application Server
Domain Controller
DNS Server
DHCP Server
WINS Server
The customer is a relation to me and would really like me to take it over as they have had bad experiences in the past, my question is do you think I can pick up what I need to as I go along or by buying a Windows Server 2003 bible (if there is such a thing) or from help on here and other forums?
I there some video tutorials around or a really good intensive course paid or free?
If I did decide to take the maintenance on do you think it would be best to start a fresh, wipe the server and set it up myself so I know what is going on and gain experience or leave it alone as it's working but with some one else's possible mess?
I know there are lots of questions here but any input would be greatly appreciated