Windows Server Essentials

jczr2 · May 8th, 2008

First, Hello to everyone, as I do not post often.

I am working on a new project in work, and I am trying to come up with a good list of essential apps for a windows server. Here is a small list of what I have so far:

• Administrator password reset tool
• Norton Ghost
• ISO burner (Nero)
• ISO editor
• Backup boot drive

I would love to hear of some good recomendations. I think I may add VMware to the list also. The main type of server work with ar HP's (DL's, blades, Integrity)

Thank You

**fitz** · May 8th, 2008

Well, define essential?

It's a very open ended question.. for essential deployment tools, I would put an imaging tool (doesn't have to be ghost - many here prefer Acronis).

Essential daily/productivity tools? Don't really see how burning software is essential on a server.. usually you would do that on a workstation.

Backup boot drive? huh? it's called RAID and redundancy and backups in general.. hey, there's an essential piece of software - Backup software!

Admin password reset tool? If you can't get into the server to login, what use will having the software on the server do for you? Better to have that on a boot disk off the server.

VMWare is not essential software.

So, what is essential?
* Backup software
* Some kind of AV software

Beyond that are nice to have but not essential.
* Sysinternals Utilities
* Resource Kit Utilities

jczr2 · May 8th, 2008

Originally Posted by fitz

Well, define essential? It's a very open ended question.. for essential deployment tools, I would put an imaging tool (doesn't have to be ghost - many here prefer Acronis).

Essential daily/productivity tools? Don't really see how burning software is essential on a server.. usually you would do that on a workstation.

Backup boot drive? huh? it's called RAID and redundancy and backups in general.. hey, there's an essential piece of software - Backup software!

Admin password reset tool? If you can't get into the server to login, what use will having the software on the server do for you? Better to have that on a boot disk off the server.

VMWare is not essential software.

So, what is essential?
* Backup software
* Some kind of AV software

Beyond that are nice to have but not essential.
* Sysinternals Utilities
* Resource Kit Utilities

I am aware of RAID, but not every server uses it. Actually only about 10% of the requests I receive have RAID.

I do think it is good to be able to burn an ISO image just incase.

Password reset for if the only admin of the server becomes unavailable, or shuts down the server. Boot back up to administrator without the password.

I appriciate your input.

**fitz** · May 8th, 2008

Originally Posted by jczr2

I am aware of RAID, but not every server uses it. Actually only about 10% of the requests I receive have RAID.

What do you think backup boot drive is other than a RAID 1 mirror? If you have a second drive that you will be using as a "backup" then you have enough to setup at the minimum a software RAID.

I do think it is good to be able to burn an ISO image just incase.

I never said it wasn't a good thing to burn the ISO image.. just not really off the server. 99% of any new workstation you buy will have a CD/DVD burner. Offload this to the workstation - not on your server.

Password reset for if the only admin of the server becomes unavailable, or shuts down the server. Boot back up to administrator without the password.

Again, having password reset software available is not a bad thing - I will, however, argue that having such software available on the server is a BAD thing. What's to stop someone else from going in and running the software and resetting the admin password and gaining admin access to the server?

Much better practice to keep software that resets passwords somewhere safer.

jczr2 · May 8th, 2008

Again, having password reset software available is not a bad thing - I will, however, argue that having such software available on the server is a BAD thing. What's to stop someone else from going in and running the software and resetting the admin password and gaining admin access to the server?

Much better practice to keep software that resets passwords somewhere safer.

You have very valid points. I should have clarified. The password reset will not be on the server, but a bootable cd that a top level person will have.

With raid, they need to be the same drives. I am thinking of just a small drive with like say XP Pro on it to be able to boot to to access the server drive in an emergency.

**fitz** · May 8th, 2008

ahh.. I misunderstood your original post. I took it to mean software installed on the server.

*light bulb goes on*

Very different then

**madmatt** · May 8th, 2008

Norton Ghost on Windows Server? No, Symantec Backup Exec.

RAID? I have never configured or sold a server without a RAID controller, using at least RAID 1, but pref RAID 5.

Lastly, a server shouldn't run more than what the server is purposed for. There is no need, in my opinion, to have Nero installed on a server. That's what desktops are for.

That's all I have.

**fitz** · May 8th, 2008

matt, as mentioned, it's not stuff on the server itself. Having an imaging solution *in general* is a "good thing"(tm) - but I would agree that having it installed on the server is a "bad thing"(tm)

**madmatt** · May 9th, 2008

I must've missed that. Anyway...

Symantec Backup Exec System Recovery can do imaging, and is designed for Windows Server.

clifgriffin · May 9th, 2008

Depending on the use of the server, all or none of those things could be labeled essential. Personally, I would not install Nero or Norton Ghost on a server. Both of them attach themselves to the operating system and are more likely to complicate troubleshooting in the future than prove to be a constant neccessity.

Use another system to burn DVDs/edit ISOs. If you need to ghost the drive, take it out and put it in an external enclosure.

I tend to approach things from a minimalist standpoint. I install only what is needed and no more.

Beyond configuring essential features (like Remote Desktop), my essentials would be:

Spacemonger (http://www.sixty-five.cc/index.php) (beautiful tool for figuring out why a drive is filling up.)
All of the sysinternals tools. (http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/s...d439d907f7965b)
WinRAR

...and that's about it.

jczr2 · May 9th, 2008

Originally Posted by clifgriffin

Spacemonger (http://www.sixty-five.cc/index.php) (beautiful tool for figuring out why a drive is filling up.)
All of the sysinternals tools. (http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/s...d439d907f7965b)
WinRAR

...and that's about it.

I didn't know about Spacemonger. It looks very interesting. I think I will like that one.

Thanks.

May 8th, 2008	Top \| #1
jczr2 OSNN Junior Addict Joined: November 2006 Location: NJ Posts: 10 Reputation: 0 Power: 64	Windows Server Essentials First, Hello to everyone, as I do not post often. I am working on a new project in work, and I am trying to come up with a good list of essential apps for a windows server. Here is a small list of what I have so far: • Administrator password reset tool • Norton Ghost • ISO burner (Nero) • ISO editor • Backup boot drive I would love to hear of some good recomendations. I think I may add VMware to the list also. The main type of server work with ar HP's (DL's, blades, Integrity) Thank You

May 8th, 2008	Top \| #2
fitz *XPista7eopardix Joined: April 2004 Location: Chicagoland Posts: 4,014 Reputation: 2947 Power: 164**	Re: Windows Server Essentials Well, define essential? It's a very open ended question.. for essential deployment tools, I would put an imaging tool (doesn't have to be ghost - many here prefer Acronis). Essential daily/productivity tools? Don't really see how burning software is essential on a server.. usually you would do that on a workstation. Backup boot drive? huh? it's called RAID and redundancy and backups in general.. hey, there's an essential piece of software - Backup software! Admin password reset tool? If you can't get into the server to login, what use will having the software on the server do for you? Better to have that on a boot disk off the server. VMWare is not essential software. So, what is essential? * Backup software * Some kind of AV software Beyond that are nice to have but not essential. * Sysinternals Utilities * Resource Kit Utilities Hee-hee! Evil makes my buttocks tingle.

May 8th, 2008	Top \| #3
jczr2 OSNN Junior Addict Joined: November 2006 Location: NJ Posts: 10 Reputation: 0 Power: 64	Re: Windows Server Essentials Originally Posted by fitz Well, define essential? It's a very open ended question.. for essential deployment tools, I would put an imaging tool (doesn't have to be ghost - many here prefer Acronis). Essential daily/productivity tools? Don't really see how burning software is essential on a server.. usually you would do that on a workstation. Backup boot drive? huh? it's called RAID and redundancy and backups in general.. hey, there's an essential piece of software - Backup software! Admin password reset tool? If you can't get into the server to login, what use will having the software on the server do for you? Better to have that on a boot disk off the server. VMWare is not essential software. So, what is essential? * Backup software * Some kind of AV software Beyond that are nice to have but not essential. * Sysinternals Utilities * Resource Kit Utilities I am aware of RAID, but not every server uses it. Actually only about 10% of the requests I receive have RAID. I do think it is good to be able to burn an ISO image just incase. Password reset for if the only admin of the server becomes unavailable, or shuts down the server. Boot back up to administrator without the password. I appriciate your input.

May 8th, 2008	Top \| #4
fitz *XPista7eopardix Joined: April 2004 Location: Chicagoland Posts: 4,014 Reputation: 2947 Power: 164**	Re: Windows Server Essentials Originally Posted by jczr2 I am aware of RAID, but not every server uses it. Actually only about 10% of the requests I receive have RAID. What do you think backup boot drive is other than a RAID 1 mirror? If you have a second drive that you will be using as a "backup" then you have enough to setup at the minimum a software RAID. I do think it is good to be able to burn an ISO image just incase. I never said it wasn't a good thing to burn the ISO image.. just not really off the server. 99% of any new workstation you buy will have a CD/DVD burner. Offload this to the workstation - not on your server. Password reset for if the only admin of the server becomes unavailable, or shuts down the server. Boot back up to administrator without the password. Again, having password reset software available is not a bad thing - I will, however, argue that having such software available on the server is a BAD thing. What's to stop someone else from going in and running the software and resetting the admin password and gaining admin access to the server? Much better practice to keep software that resets passwords somewhere safer. Hee-hee! Evil makes my buttocks tingle.

May 8th, 2008	Top \| #5
jczr2 OSNN Junior Addict Joined: November 2006 Location: NJ Posts: 10 Reputation: 0 Power: 64	Again, having password reset software available is not a bad thing - I will, however, argue that having such software available on the server is a BAD thing. What's to stop someone else from going in and running the software and resetting the admin password and gaining admin access to the server? Much better practice to keep software that resets passwords somewhere safer. You have very valid points. I should have clarified. The password reset will not be on the server, but a bootable cd that a top level person will have. With raid, they need to be the same drives. I am thinking of just a small drive with like say XP Pro on it to be able to boot to to access the server drive in an emergency.

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May 8th, 2008	Top \| #6
fitz *XPista7eopardix Joined: April 2004 Location: Chicagoland Posts: 4,014 Reputation: 2947 Power: 164**	Re: Windows Server Essentials ahh.. I misunderstood your original post. I took it to mean software installed on the server. light bulb goes on Very different then Hee-hee! Evil makes my buttocks tingle.

May 8th, 2008	Top \| #7
madmatt Bow Down to the King Joined: April 2002 Location: New York Posts: 13,312 Reputation: 4090 Power: 294	Re: Windows Server Essentials Norton Ghost on Windows Server? No, Symantec Backup Exec. RAID? I have never configured or sold a server without a RAID controller, using at least RAID 1, but pref RAID 5. Lastly, a server shouldn't run more than what the server is purposed for. There is no need, in my opinion, to have Nero installed on a server. That's what desktops are for. That's all I have.

May 8th, 2008	Top \| #8
fitz *XPista7eopardix Joined: April 2004 Location: Chicagoland Posts: 4,014 Reputation: 2947 Power: 164**	Re: Windows Server Essentials matt, as mentioned, it's not stuff on the server itself. Having an imaging solution in general is a "good thing"(tm) - but I would agree that having it installed on the server is a "bad thing"(tm) Hee-hee! Evil makes my buttocks tingle.

May 9th, 2008	Top \| #9
madmatt Bow Down to the King Joined: April 2002 Location: New York Posts: 13,312 Reputation: 4090 Power: 294	Re: Windows Server Essentials I must've missed that. Anyway... Symantec Backup Exec System Recovery can do imaging, and is designed for Windows Server.

May 9th, 2008	Top \| #10
clifgriffin OSNN Junior Addict Joined: May 2008 Posts: 8 Reputation: 0 Power: 47	Re: Windows Server Essentials Depending on the use of the server, all or none of those things could be labeled essential. Personally, I would not install Nero or Norton Ghost on a server. Both of them attach themselves to the operating system and are more likely to complicate troubleshooting in the future than prove to be a constant neccessity. Use another system to burn DVDs/edit ISOs. If you need to ghost the drive, take it out and put it in an external enclosure. I tend to approach things from a minimalist standpoint. I install only what is needed and no more. Beyond configuring essential features (like Remote Desktop), my essentials would be: Spacemonger (http://www.sixty-five.cc/index.php) (beautiful tool for figuring out why a drive is filling up.) All of the sysinternals tools. (http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/s...d439d907f7965b) WinRAR ...and that's about it.

May 9th, 2008	Top \| #11
jczr2 OSNN Junior Addict Joined: November 2006 Location: NJ Posts: 10 Reputation: 0 Power: 64	Re: Windows Server Essentials Originally Posted by clifgriffin Spacemonger (http://www.sixty-five.cc/index.php) (beautiful tool for figuring out why a drive is filling up.) All of the sysinternals tools. (http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/s...d439d907f7965b) WinRAR ...and that's about it. I didn't know about Spacemonger. It looks very interesting. I think I will like that one. Thanks.