Windows Networking
How does DDNS replace WINS in Windows 2000 and later?
DDNS replaces WINS by allowing DNS clients to update information in the DNS database files. IP Addresses and DNS records stay in synch so that you can use DNS and DHCP together seamlessly. WINS listens to NBT broadcasts and can not update IP Address information if the DHCP lease expires since the NBT broadcasts registers the machines IP Address with the WINS Server at boot up. NetBIOS is not routable which further complicates things. WINS servers use NetBIOS names whereas DNS relies on hostnames.
Under what circumstances would we still use WINS?
WINS should be used whenever your network contains pre-Windows 2000 operating systems or you run NetBIOS dependent services on your network. Pre-Windows 2000 operating systems are dependent on NetBIOS for important domain related activities such as log on authentication and service location. WINS should also be considered as a means to improve resolution performance. You must be very cautious when deploying WINS Servers. Too many can create more problems than it is worth. WINS can help increase resolution speed because it is higher on the list for NetBIOS resolution. The resolution sequence is as follows:
NetBIOS Remote Name Cache
WINS
Broadcast
LMHOSTS
HOSTS
DNS
As you can see, DNS lookups are performed last, after other methods are employed.
What are the key differences between Windows 2000 and Windows 2003?
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/evaluation/whyupgrade/top10w2k.mspx
Top 10 Reasons Why to Upgrade from Windows 2000 Server to Windows Server 2003 R2
Windows Server 2003 R2 builds upon the increased security, reliability, and performance provided by Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 (SP1) to provide a more secure and dependable platform on which to deliver business-critical applications and Web services. At the same time, Windows Server 2003 R2 is easier to manage and integrate into existing environments. This page describes the major new features and improvements included in Windows Server 2003 R2.
Centralize user authentication and authorization
Introduced in Windows 2000, the Active Directory directory service simplifies the administration of complex network directories and makes it easy to locate resources on even the largest networks. This enterprise-class service is scalable, is built on Internet-standard technologies, and integrates with the Standard, Enterprise, and Datacenter editions of Windows Server 2003 R2.
Windows Server 2003 R2 provides numerous ease-of-use improvements to Active Directory and new features, including cross-forest trusts, the ability to rename domains, and the ability to deactivate attributes and classes in the schema so that their definitions can be changed.
Active directory is the backbone of Windows Server 2012 and fundamental technology in almost every business / enterprise. ADDS is the server services for security and permission in Windows environment. As we’re planning to set up three sites, create user accounts and security policies for those computers, we will need to use Active Directory. Active Directory configuration will present the most optimized replication of traffic and data between each of the three sites and provide fundamental of failover and redundancy.
This can give you the IP address, MAC address and vendor on machines. Then one runs the Nmap -A xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx* command with the same address range to obtain the operating systems on those same range of machines and what application version it is. This also gives the open ports and what services are running on them. Now the IP, MAC address, vendor, port information, services, Operating system and the version are known. After all this information is known, one can utilize a mapping tool such as Solar winds that can give an actual picture representation of the network to visualize things. Next is enumeration to discover more specifics such as user accounts, group settings and application settings. Depending on the OS, version and if NET Bios is enabled, one could use null sessions to find lists of machines, shares, users, groups, and users/host ids. Using the Windows command line, type:
Objects are the specific items being catalogued in AD DS. Common objects found in a directory are users, computers, printers, folders, and even files. These objects are grouped into containers, usually organizational units, which in turn are grouped into higher order containers themselves. An object is made up of a collection of attributes which are key-value pairs of information. An example of an attribute key would be "Given Name," and every object in the directory would have a different value for that attribute. AD DS is dynamic and extensible, which means that not all objects share the same attributes, and as an administrator we can
A network can be based on either a peer-to-peer level or server-based, also referred to as domain-based. To distinguish the difference, a peer-to-peer network, also known as a workgroup, is a network in which a group of computers are connected together to share resources, such as files, applications, or peripherals. The computers in a peer-to-peer network are peers to one another, meaning no single computer has control over one another. There is also no central location for users to access resources, which means that each individual computer must share their files in order for other computers to have access (Muller, 2003, p.411). “In a peer-to-peer environment, access rights are governed by setting sharing permissions on individual machines.” (Cope, 2002) On the other hand, in a domain-based network, the computers connected together are either servers or clients. All of the other computers connected to the network are called client computers. The server is a dedicated machine that acts as a central location for users to share and access resources. The server controls the level of authority each user has to the shared resources. When logging on to the network, users on client machines are authenticated by the server, based on a user name and password (Lowe, 2004, p.13).
User Communications. Dartmouth College, Department of Computing Services. "Computer and Network Policy." BlitzMail Bulletin. Wed, 15 Nov 2000 13:36:45.
As the internet is becoming faster and faster, an operating system (OS) is needed to manage the data in computers. An Operating system can be considered to be a set of programed codes that are created to control hardware such as computers. In 1985 Windows was established as an operating system and a year earlier Mac OS was established, and they have dominated the market of the computer programs since that time. Although, many companies have provided other operating systems, most users still prefer Mac as the most secured system and windows as it provides more multiple functions. This essay will demonstrate the differences between windows
Wireless local area networks (WLANs) have the potential to improve the flexibility, productivity, and the quality of work life of an enterprise (Sage Research Staff, 2001). Berean Institute is a typical two year college with about a staff of sixty eight employees and 250 students per semester. Berean teaches cosmetology, barbering and the latest software and hardware technology, which is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Berean currently has two locations in the Philadelphia area and using a Local Area Network (LAN).
Perhaps the most redundant, fault-tolerant of all network topologies is the mesh LAN. Each node is connected to every other node for a true point-to-point connection between every device on the network.
Windows Server 2012 is designed to seamlessly manage remote network access and has a few services to help us better manage the process. The first service to become familiar with is the Network Policy Server of NPS. NPS in its most basic function is the series of permissions the servers use to grant access or authentication. Once configured these access policies or groups can be pushed out to our users.
Local Area Networks also called LANs have been a major player in industrialization of computers. In the past 20 or so years the worlds industry has be invaded with new computer technology. It has made such an impact on the way we do business that it has become essential with an ever-growing need for improvement. LANs give an employer the ability to share information between computers with a simple relatively inexpensive system of network cards and software. It also lets the user or users share hardware such as Printers and scanners. The speed of access between the computers is lighting fast because the data has a short distance to cover. In most cases a LAN only occupies one or a group of buildings located next to each other. For larger area need there are several other types of networks such as the Internet.
That same year, Windows 2000 Professional is released February 17, 2000, it’s not only an upgrade to Windows NT Workstation 4.0 it is intended to replace Windows 95, 98, and NT Workstation 4.0 on all business desktops and laptops. It added major improvements in reliability, ease of use, internet compatibility, and support for mobile computing. It also simplified hardware installation by adding support for many new Plug and Play hardware, including advanced networking and wireless products, IEEE 1394 devices, USB devices, and infrared devices. On October 25, 2001, Windows XP is released with a redesigned look, a focus on usability, and a unified Help and Support services center. It becomes one of the best-selling products in the coming years and is fast and stable. Windows XP Professional “. . . brings the solid foundation of Windows 2000 to the PC desktop”, enhancing reliability, security, and performance. With a new design it includes features for business and advanced home computing, including: remote desktop support, an encrypting file system, and system restore and advanced networking features. Key enhancements for mobile users include wireless 802.1x networking support, Windows Messenger, and Remote Assistance. In 2006 Windows Vista is released with the strongest
If you’ve ever been a network administrator, the call you dread the most might be one you receive in the middle of the night by some panicked employee stating that a portion of your critical network has gone down. What troubleshooting options are available to provide answers to your network problem? Besides having a proactive helpdesk that can “read” the mind of your network, an important part of troubleshooting involves using a network protocol analyzer. If you’ve done your research, you realize that there are many choices on the market today that may satisfy your needs but make a dent your company’s pocket book. Plus, you have to factor in training your helpdesk on how to use this new tool and if it will provide some type of return on investment (ROI).
Setting the network infrastructure policies and workstation policies to ensure the integrity of the network.
Network Solutions, Inc. is a worldwide leader in hardware, software, and services essential to computer networking (Aguinis, 2013, p.31). In the past, this company has used over 50 different systems to measure performance management. Even with the large amounts of different systems to measure performance, only a fraction of employees were receiving performance reviews, and less than 5% of employees received the lowest category of ratings. Also, the organization had no recognition program for employees with a higher category of ratings. In addition to the lack of employees not receiving reviews, it was noticed in the organization that performance problems were not being addressed or resolved.
Goles, T., & Hirschheim, R. (Ed.) (1997). Intranets: The next IS solution? White Paper. Information Systems Research Center, University of Houston.