server & redirecting port 80 on router

[marcopolon2]

Good morning!

I've got to install server but I know almost nothing about computer networks. And I've got two basic questions. 1. Where should I connect cable from server? And what kind of cable should it be (crossover or what)? 2. How can I configure redirecting of port 80 on router (I didn't see any router - look at the picture)? They said to me that "it must be available from the outside world but through the other port" but I don't get it.

The picture with the network is here: http://images49.fotosik.pl/155/ab7e52eb8b03b4de.jpg

In general they said me to do the following: install IIS (does it contain e-mail service?), redirecting of port 80 on router, NAT (on router to 80; to choose default port when installing UMC), free VNC (because Microsoft remote desktop is not so good), MySQL, PHP, WWW.

I know it is possible to do all above things with the use of Microsoft XP Professional but is it also possible to do it with MS XP Home Edition?

Thanks in advance for the answer to my lame questions :P
Greetings!

[Prometheus_Fire]

Please excuse my directness and no offence, but there are so many things wrong with what you are planning to do!

You lose a lot of features with XP home (So it's a no go) and you can do this with XP Pro, but you should really stop to ask yourself if it is a good idea (Hint: Unless you're installing a practice development machine at home, it's really not!).

If you're installing a production server for an office or business you really should use a server OS. That said I'll try to address your points above.

1. The cable from your server should be attached to a switch (Which should then be connected to your router. Alternatively if you have a DSL router, most have at least 4 switchports).

2. The cable should be a cat 5 straight through cable (Crossover cables are only used to connect like devices to like devices; e.g. connecting a switch to a switch).

3. If you don't have a dedicated router most DSL routers have a facility in their web based user interface for configuring port forwarding and NAT.

4. You can install the SMTP service with IIS, however you'll need to write, purchase or download a mail application.

5. There's nothing wrong with RDP, you just need to make sure port 3389 is allowed and that IP traffic is redirected correctly if it's not going to a publicly routable IP address. Do not under any circumstances use free VNC! It sends passwords across the internet in plain text. Use an encrypted remote access solution such as LogMein Free or PC Anywhere if RDP is a definite no-go.

Now some questions:

1. Is it a production server for a business or a personal dev machine?
2. Do you have a dedicated router and switch?
3. Do you have a static IP address and/or subnet from your ISP?
4. If cost is an issue, have you considered an open source server OS?

[Prometheus_Fire]

[marcopolon2]

Thank you really much for your comprehensive answer.

It is beginning of my intern in IT company, just after second year of studies so I've got really much useless knowledge about advanced maths but nothing about computer networks. They bought a computer (device dedicated to be a server) and asked me to do what I have already written in the previous post. My first thought (after little reaserch in the internet) was to use LAMP with Debian. But they told me to use Windows XP. I thought they've got Windows XP Professional but they have only installer for Win XP Home Edition so I told them I can use either free Linux or I need them to give me Win XP Proff. They've chosen the latter and I wait third week for any CD. The man also suggested me to use VNC but it looks like his suggestion is really poor solution :P.

The server must be something like place to store some internal data of the company, also available through remote desktop.

You told "The cable from your server should be attached to a switch". I've got socket "switch" on that Firelli (or Pirelli?) but I guess it is only place to connect the switch so that's not it. I also have Gigaset but I don't know what it is. So where should I connect it? The graph of the network is done by me because I completely didn't know what's going on in that bush of cables :D.

You told "Alternatively if you have a DSL router, most have at least 4 switchports" - on the graph (link is in the previous post) I've got only ADSL Microfilter so I guess I don't have any DSL router but I dunno.

And maybe the most lame question which I can ask :) - why don't I see any router in this network? You asked "Do you have a dedicated router and switch?". Where can it be connected into this whole graph of the network so that I can check it? There's almost always nobody in that job because all of them do something in other cities :).

Summarizing, the most crucial thing is to understand how this network works and how to connect this whole stuff physically because without proper physical connection I cannot do anything :D.

Greetings and thanks really much for your help

[Prometheus_Fire]

Hi marcopolon2,

We all had to start somewhere, hopefully you'll grow to love networking as much as I do (infinitely more than programming).

Microsoft may withdraw my accreditations for this ;-), but in the situation you find yourself, deploying the Windows based platform you've been asked to is insanity and LAMP is a much more prudent option.

I honestly can't think of a sound business reason why anyone would want to try to deploy XP home as a small business production server (Which won't work anyway). It lacks the requisite security and functionality that you'll need and operational costs (while you spend countless hours trying to get things to work which were never supposed to on that platform and firefighting malicious attacks) will demolish any savings the company would make on the initial spend to set the machine up.

XP Pro is a minor step up, but I personally wouldn't want to do business with a company that kept my (or their) personal or financial data on a desktop machine. I'm a little bit zealous about security!

Forgive me, but I found the diagram a little confusing. It would help immensely if you could give me model numbers on the devices you've listed, specifically the Firelli ADSL access device, so that I may do a rough diagram of what you have and can verify if it will do what you need.

[marcopolon2]

Hello, Prometheus_Fire,

I checked, it is Pirelli, not Firelli. I guess it is device dedicated for those who use services of Netia company (http://www.netia.pl/en/). This company provides stationary telecommunication services in Poland. As it is written on Polish Wikipedia "Netia offers phone services and access to Internet for individual clients and for institutions - access to Internet, VoIP, private wires (leased circuits?), hosting and others".

I don't know which exactly Pirelli device they've got. I think it may be something like this http://www.pirellibroadband.com/en_I...liDRGA125G.pdf

But in general my two basic questions are still the same:
1. Where exactly to connect server through cable?
2. How to connect to the router so that I can configure redirecting of port 80?

I also hope I'll grow to love networking :).
Greetings!

[Jason09]

You would use an Ethernet cable from the server to a LAN port on the router.

[marcopolon2]

Hello!

Originally Posted by Jason09

You would use an Ethernet cable from the server to a LAN port on the router.

But which one it is? As shown on the figure ADSL, Eth1, Eht2, Eth3 and Eth4 are already used. Figure: http://images49.fotosik.pl/155/ab7e52eb8b03b4de.jpg

This is documentation for Pirelli device. Of course I can translate it in English, just write me number of pages which are essential.

http://images47.fotosik.pl/158/ed4adf4b6f2d7aef.jpg
http://images47.fotosik.pl/158/bcfd182001eb2a4c.jpg
http://images50.fotosik.pl/157/c977b82fc94811c1.jpg
http://images37.fotosik.pl/153/05ddb19ec72121a1.jpg
http://images44.fotosik.pl/158/6e24c6e4108452bd.jpg
http://images46.fotosik.pl/158/bb7dfa21376bc3b7.jpg
http://images43.fotosik.pl/157/c7e73d1cf7e40f0c.jpg
http://images46.fotosik.pl/158/3d35f795e9b01934.jpg

I asked them if they've already got operation system on CD. I heard "Not yet but soon we'll give you either Win XP Prof or Win Server. We don't want Linux because everybody can easily use Windows but only some people had contact with Linux".

Greetings!

[Prometheus_Fire]

Hi marcopolon2,

Sorry, it's taken me a while to get back to you.

I'm trying to understand your existing setup. Is the simple sketch I've done an an adequate representation of your network?

[marcopolon2]

Hello!

Urgent: They told me, "OK, let's buy Windows Server". I made little research in the internet to find stationary shop in which I can buy this operating system. But I was surprised that there was such a big difference in the price. Why is it so?

Cheap:
http://www.komputronik.pl/Programy_i...,id,53620,s,1/

Expensive:
http://www.komputronik.pl/Programy_i...,id,52832,s,1/
http://www.agito.pl/serwery/microsof...FVOK3god0SldAQ
http://www.ceneo.pl/1339694

Both cheap and expensive (but this one is preferred because of the location of the shop):
http://e-lectron.pl/index.php?cPath=188_199#jump

In other words, can I suggest them now to buy this Microsoft_Windows_Server_CAL_2008_Device_MOLP (first link - cheap)? Or rather Microsoft OEM Windows 2008 Server CAL 5 User Polish, 1pk - 18-02914 (last link)?

About the diagram. Yes, it is correct. However I should stress one thing. NetShare UltimateNAS Server is that server which already works in the network. This server is little device stored with that whole stuff like cables, Pirelli and so on on one shelf - this is the whole network at this moment. I don't know why this server is so little device and what it is used for. And I need to connect the other server - that is Hewlett Packard, this one on which I want to install Windows Server.

By the way, what computer program do you use to draw schematics of networks?

On my diagram (but on your it is also visible) it looks like there is no other place to connect this new HP Server - all Eth1, Eth2, Eth3 and Eth4 are already used. So how to connect this new server?
Jason09 wrote "You would use an Ethernet cable from the server to a LAN port on the router".

And about redirecting protocol 80. I need to connect to the Pirelli device (why do you call it router? on the cover of user's guidebook which I uploaded it was written "Modem Pirelli DRG A125G" so it look like it is rather modem than router but I dunno). But how should I connect my computer to the Pirelli device so that I can configure it? I don't see any socket for configuration cable - I see only those ADSL, Eth1, Eth2, Eth3, Eth4, USB, Switch. On the diagram shown in the guidebook (http://images47.fotosik.pl/158/bcfd182001eb2a4c.jpg) which is adecuate to the device which I've got in the network, it is written "przycisk zasilania" what means "power supply button" near the Switch (second from the right). How should I connect computer to Pirelli to configure this 80 redirecting? Should it be with the use of USB? And what kind of cable should I use?

Thanks really much for your help, I appreciate it :-)
Greetings!

[Prometheus_Fire]

Hi marcopolon2,

The Windows Server OS is a lot more expensive because it has a lot more power and functionality.

When I click on the komputronik links I get the following message: 'Trwa aktualizacja bazy danych - przepraszamy za problemy
Funkcjonalność sklepu zostanie przywrócona w ciągu maksymalnie 30 sekund.' and the page remains static. My Polish is atrocious, so I think there is a functionality problem and that it wanted me to retry in 30 seconds.

With regard to the network, you should purchase an ethernet 12 or 24 port switch, plug it into the Pirelli modem and use it to feed the NAS server, the patch panel and the new server.

I use Microsoft Visio for network diagrams.

Does the Pirelli modem have a web interface? If it does, you can usually find it by going to http://192.168.1.1/ in a browser window. If it has a web interface you will be able to find out if it supports port forwarding. If it doesn't you will need to invest in a DSL router that does.

[marcopolon2]

It looks like they're updating their databases on the website of that shop komputronik. But what about http://e-lectron.pl/index.php?cPath=188_199#jump and Microsoft OEM Windows 2008 Server CAL 5 User Polish, 1pk - 18-02914 with the price 492 zl? I think eventually I should suggest this operating system to them. I guess it's better way than using Windows XP Professional. I asked them what this server will be used for. They answered me: 1) internal server of the company to upload its files and make them available in the wireless network in the company's office, 2) to upload webpages of external companies for which my company creates webpages. I don't know yet whether this server will have any other further applications in the future. Price is also important thing :) so the question is: is there really a need to buy Windows Server if maybe Win XP Proff would be enough. I assumed Win Server is more expensive than Win Xp Prof but I just checked it. There are prices for Win XP Prof http://www.ceneo.pl/91784 . Is it possible that both Server and XP Prof have got the same price? It surprised me.

Originally Posted by Prometheus_Fire

Does the Pirelli modem have a web interface? If it does, you can usually find it by going to http://192.168.1.1/ in a browser window.

The picture of Pirelli is here http://images47.fotosik.pl/158/bcfd182001eb2a4c.jpg . It has got ADSL Reg Eth1 Eth2 Eth3 Eth4 USB Switch Power. So I guess the only one way is to connect it through USB. I guess it should have web interface because it is shown in that guidebook which I uploaded in #8 post.

Originally Posted by Prometheus_Fire

My Polish is atrocious, so I think there is a functionality problem and that it wanted me to retry in 30 seconds.

:)

Greetings!

[marcopolon2]

Reason of creating new post, not editing:
The administrator has specified that you can only edit messages for 30 minutes after you have posted. This limit has expired, so you must contact the administrator to make alterations on your message.

I was trying to find good and cheap ethernet switch in the same shop as that one with Win XP Server. Results found: http://e-lectron.pl/advanced_search_...h&x=0&y=0#jump
I guess the first option should be all right: http://e-lectron.pl/product_info.php...ducts_id=26119 won't it?

Greetings!

[Prometheus_Fire]

This is the quick and dirty solution to your problem I was describing:



You could use the 1st switch you found there, but that would mean that all your ports would be used.

You're better off getting a switch with more ports than you need so that you have room for expansion.

You'll also need to ensure you have excellent A/V and firewall protection on your servers and computers as you have no dedicated hardware firewall.

If your company wants to share corporate data on this network, a server OS is infinitely better than a desktop OS. In the long run the initial outlay will save the company money and you time due to it's security and scalability. Ensure you're buying the OEM O/S and not just the CALs!

Also make sure to keep the server patched & updated!

[marcopolon2]

Thank you really much for you help :)
So finally I buy:
1) http://e-lectron.pl/index.php?cPath=188_199#jump and Microsoft OEM Windows 2008 Server CAL 5 User Polish, 1pk - 18-02914 with the price 492 zl
2) http://e-lectron.pl/product_info.php...ducts_id=26119 (it just occured I've got more time for installing server so this second point may be reconsidered)
And to connect Pirelli for configuration I need to use USB cable.
Greetings!

[Prometheus_Fire]

NP, if your network keeps growing and you want to build in redundancy, let me know. As it stands you have several single points of failure.

[marcopolon2]

OK, now this site (http://www.komputronik.pl/Programy_i...,id,53620,s,1/) is again available. And surprisingly the price of this Windows Server is much cheaper than the other one (http://e-lectron.pl/index.php?cPath=188_199#jump) - first is for 169 zl, the latter for 492 zl.

If you say that you can help me to build the network in redundancy then maybe I should (or maybe not) create new topic and present my local network at home which was created with complete no plan but it works more or less :-). It includes one PC, two laptops, router, modem, printer.

Greetings!

[marcopolon2]

?????

[Jason09]

If directly connected to the Pirelli, go to start>run (or in Vista, start>all programs>accessories>run.) Type cmd, then ipconfig. Take note of the IP address that is listed, then go to www.portforward.com and check the external IP address listed there. If the 2 are different, then it is a modem/router combo.

[marcopolon2]

Hello!

Originally Posted by Jason09

If directly connected to the Pirelli, go to start>run (or in Vista, start>all programs>accessories>run.) Type cmd, then ipconfig. Take note of the IP address that is listed, then go to www.portforward.com and check the external IP address listed there. If the 2 are different, then it is a modem/router combo.

I connected my laptop to USB of Pirelli.

ipconfig:
IP Address: 192.168.1.45
Subnetwork mask: 255.255.255.0
Default gateway: 192.168.1.254

portforward.com:
Your external IP is: 87.205.18.184

http://images47.fotosik.pl/159/d24a5a4257adaf19.jpg
http://images41.fotosik.pl/155/84bd31c7d52fcca3.jpg

I don't know whether it is safe thing to public above informations here so that they're are available for everybody in the internet. It looks like Pirelli is a modem/router combo.

And about cables. "You would use an Ethernet cable from the server to a LAN port on the router". I guess I need to use two additional cables - one between Pirelli and switch and the other one to connect switch and hp workstation xw6200 (new server). I've got some cables but I haven't bought the switch yet. I've got one cable USB (but that end of the cable which I connected to Pirelli looks somehow different than USB cables which I usually use for MP3, PSP and so on). The other cables are those for networks (with orange, green, blue, white). I know there are some different types of cables like crossover, straight and so on but I know almost nothing about them. Those cables which I've got: 1) UTP ETL VERIFIED TO TIA/EIA-568B.2 CAT.5E PATCH CORD :: COPARTNER E188601 (UL) TYPE CM 75C ----- AWM 2835 60C 30V 24AWG/4PRS :: LL84201 CSA TYPE CMG FT4, 2) FTP CAT.5E BI-COM CABLE ISO/IEC 11801 & TIA/EIA 568A STANDARD, 3) BELKIN COMPONENTS CATEGORY 5e PATCH CABLE #R7J304 VERIFIED CAT 5e 4PR 24AWG TYPE CM E129760-C CSA TYPE FT4 LL80671 ETL VERIFIED TO TIA/EIA 568B.2 ISO/IEC 11801 www.belkin.com. I guess that information 5e is crucial but in general I'm interested in two things: 1) are these appropriate for my application (I mean as those two connections which I need: Pirelli-switch and switch-hp)?, 2) what are those all informations written on the cables (I just ask because of my curiosity :-))?

About OS. I also asked in the shop about licences of Windows. It looks like that cheaper price 169 zl is to buy additional licence if Windows Server is already bought. I also asked the man in the shop what is the cheapest option for me if I've got device but I don't have any Windows Server. He told me to buy Windows Server 2003 with five licences for 1527 zl what is too high price for me. And I don't know why I need to buy five licences, not one. Is it the lowest number of licences to be bought when obtaining Windows Server first time? I don't know what about this http://e-lectron.pl/index.php?cPath=188_199#jump for 497 zl.

Greetings!