Manage a server by using available support tools: There are a few other ways of managing your servers remotely. Let's look at them briefly.
• Manage several servers by performing similar tasks
This can be achieved by using the appropriate saved MMC consoles, if available. Alternately, you can create your own custom MMC consoles for tasks you frequently do, or delegate to other members of your team.
• Connect to a remote computer when that computer cannot access the network or is not in an operational state because of hardware or software failure.
This can be accomplished using the old standby-Telnet. Remember-it is command line driven, capabilities are limited and security is minimal at best. However, there are times, such as the situation listed above, when the "old way" is still the "best way."
There is one new remote administration feature with Server 2003 that is worth a closer look-the Web Interface for Remote Administration.
NOTE: The feature is, by default, NOT set up on any version of Server 2003, except for the Web Edition.
In order to install this feature on another version of Server 2003, you must utilize the Windows Components Wizard, found in Control Panel | Add/Remove Programs. The feature is buried quite deep within the Wizard. Select Application Server | Internet Information Services | World Wide Web Service and then select the checkbox next to Remote Administration (HTML).
Designed specifically for remote administration of Web servers, the Web Interface for Remote Administration is a HTML-based application that you can use to configure and manage the server from a remote client. Individual servers, server farms and multiple sites per server can be remotely managed from your workstation.
The Web Interface for Remote Administration provides a new way of performing common Web server configuration tasks, including:
• Creating and deleting Web sites
• Configuring network settings
• Managing local user accounts
• Restarting the Web server.
The interface is very easy to work with and maneuver through. It is worth your while to take a moment and walk through each page to familiarize yourself.
Pop Quiz Questions:
1. As Administrator, you need to use an Internet connection to access a user's computer to provide help. Will you use Remote Desktop or Remote Assistance to accomplish this?
2. You have recently deployed the 64-bit edition of Windows Server 2003 and wish to use Remote Assistance, but you cannot find the feature to install. What is the problem?
3. One of your users is concerned about his computer's security. He feels that, because you have allowed Remote Assistance on his PC, an intruder could use this feature to access his desktop. How do you reassure this user?
4. What are two administrative tasks that can be performed using Remote Desktop (Administration Mode)?
5. There is a new remote administration feature with Server 2003, the Web Interface for Remote Administration. Which version or versions of Windows Server 2003 installs this feature by default?
Pop Quiz Answers:
1. You will be using Remote Assistance. Remote Assistance allows an administrator to use an Internet connection to access a user's computer or remote server to provide assistance. The administrator can view the remote computer's screen in a window and communicate with the user through a "chat box." This feature is used so that administrators can resolve problems without having to be physically at the user's computer or server.
2. The problem is that Remote Assistance feature is NOT available under Server 2003 64-bit version. You will need to move to a server running the 32-bit version of Server 2003 to perform Remote Assistance.
3. Explain to the user that no one can connect to the computer unannounced or control it without explicit permission from him, even under this setting. When someone tries to connect, the user is given an opportunity to accept or deny the assistance. Even when it is accepted, the person connecting is given view-only privileges to the user's desktop, until the user explicitly allows the ability to remotely control the desktop, if remote control has been enabled.
4. Two administrative tasks that can be performed are logging onto one server remotely, or switching among several servers, and managing them as if you were physically there, and two, managing your servers from any computer on your network.
5. This feature is, by default, set up only on the Web Edition of Windows Server 2003.
Deborah Timmons is a Microsoft Certified Trainer and Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer. She came into the Microsoft technical field after six years in the adaptive technology field, providing technology and training for persons with disabilities. She is the President and co-owner of Integrator Systems Inc.
- Article Word Count: 722
- |
- Total Views: 166
- |
- permalink