Installation Planning

Installation Planning Issues Dionne Ashley AIU Online Virtual Campus

Installation Planning Abstract In this report you will find a brief description of each of these servers: domain controller, DNS Server, A Terminal Access Gateway, a Web Server, a Database Server, and a File and Print Server. In addition to this information you will also learn some of the installation planning issues for each of the servers as well as some hardware suggestions based on system capabilities, which systems can be co-located on one or more virtualized servers and which systems should be replicated to ensure the highest availability regarding up-time. Lastly, I will give you a better understanding of what virtualization is and its purpose, and a brief description and the purpose of co-location in reference to network infrastructure.

Installation Planning Installation Planning Issues In this report I will give a brief description of each of these servers: domain controller, DNS Server, A Terminal Access Gateway, a Web Server, a Database Server, and a File and Print Server. In addition to this information you will learn some of the installation planning issues for each of these servers as well as some hardware suggestions based on system capabilities, which systems can be co-located on one or more virtualized servers and which systems should be replicated to ensure the highest availability regarding up-time. Lastly, I will give you a better understanding of what virtualization is and its purpose, and a brief description and the purpose of co-location in reference to network infrastructure. A domain controller is a dedicated server that holds the security database for all systems, and a list of all the users and passwords in the domain. (Meyers, M. 2010). For example, when you logon to any system, the request goes to an available domain controller to verify your input. After authentication has been verified the user is then ready to perform normal tasks and search for information against the directory. According to a tech support article from Microsoft, titled Domain Controller Roles on June 3, 2010, by default not only does the domain controller store information about the domain in one directory partition, it also stores the schema and configuration directory partitions for the entire forest. The installation planning issues to consider are (How to Install a Domain Controller): 1) Choosing the operating system you wish to install. 2) Choosing the disk drive you wish to install the OS. 3) Configuring the system and 4) Choosing a name for your domain. A DNS (Domain Name System) server is a database that handles the translation of a qualified domain name into an IP (Internet Protocol) address. (Public DNS Servers from

Installation Planning www.tech-faq.com). DNS servers are designed to allow devices to look up address records in DNS tables. A majority of the DNS servers are made public, however there are DNS servers that are customized and configured to provide service to businesses or people that own or pay a service fee for the hardware. Of course, in respect of the businesses or people that pay for this service the DNS servers are configured to provide service specifically to that organization. If by chance there is a misconfiguration or malicious behavior and a paid service becomes public, management will rectify the situation once they understand that they have been providing a free service to others outside of their organization. According to an article from dnsserverhosting.com titled DNS Server Hosting, managing the names of internet domains and websites, is one of the main roles that a DNS server plays. This enables clients to create their own web addresses, as opposed to trying to memorize the complex figures in an IP address. DNS clients should be made aware that there are two types of queries that are handled by the DNS server; the recursive and the non-recursive. The recursive inquiry is totally answered by the same server, even though it does send the query to other servers as well. The non-recursive inquiry is only partially answered by the authoritative name server alone. Some of the installation planning issues to consider is as follows: 1) You must first know how to install and configure an Active Directory. 2) You must know how to configure DNS with a zone for the Active Directory. 3) You must be able to create both zone types (forward lookup zone and reverse lookup zone) for proper use of the DNS for your Active Directory. 4) And you must be able to configure the two zones for dynamic updating to simplify creating all the records required for the Active Directory yourself. (Sequeira, A., Installing and Configuring DNS).

Installation Planning Terminal Service Gateway (TS) uses Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) over HTTPS to create an encrypted, secure connection amongst users on the internal network resources and on the internet. (Terminal Services Gateway, September 24, 2007). TS provides a security configuration model allowing you the power to control access to specific internal network resources. The TS Gateway manager console allows you the ability to configure authorization policies that must be followed by remote users in order for them to connect to the internal network resources. Additionally, the manager gives you the ability to choose user groups and client computer groups by implementing the TS Connection authorization policy, thus enhancing security and simplifying administration duties. The manager snap-in console offers you the tools needed to monitor TS Gateway connection status, health and events. This feature allows you to choose specific events that you would like to monitor for auditing purposes; for example unsuccessful connection attempts to the TS Gateway server. The TS Gateway Service has a number of services that it is dependent on in order to function properly. (Posey, Brien M., July 06, 2006). The following considerations will prepare you for some installation planning issues: 1) You must be the system Administrator. 2) You must know what the necessary services are and how to install these services in order to support TS Gateway. 3) Acquire as SSL Certificate or issue one from your own certification authority. (Terminal Services Gateway, September 24, 2007). 4) You must know how to import the SSL certificate into the client computer. 5) Be careful that you do not deploy the certificate onto the same server running TS Gateway if you use your own certificate authority. The result of this would cause a huge security risk. (Posey, Brien M., September 2009). James B. Lingan wrote an article titled Web Server, on October 29, 2007, noting that a web server is a program that delivers the files that form web pages to web users. In order for a

Installation Planning web server to do this, it uses the client/server model and the World Wide Webs Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP). Web servers often come in a bundled package of internet and intranet related programs. According to an informational article written by R. Kayne, on January 12, 2012, titled What is a Web Server? he mentions that every computer is assigned a unique Internet Protocol (IP) address, which identifies the computers location on the network. When a person accesses the internet and sends out a request like www.microsoft.com, the information is transferred across a network, similar to a letter sent out in the mail. When the request reaches its destination, the web server that hosts Microsofts website sends the page in HTML code to the requesting computers IP address; in turn sending communication back through the network, and the users browser on the requesting computer interprets the code and displays this message for the user to view in graphic form. Some things to consider, regarding installation planning issues for installing a web server are as follows: 1) Must be able to configure the web server to serve files containing information of a sensitive matter. 2) Must be able to install the needed software or activate services that are needed in order for the web server to function properly. 3) Create a virtual directory for each application. 4) If you are not running Windows Server 2003, be sure to install Microsoft .NET Framework 1.1 Service Pack 1. (Installing a Web Server, June 20, 2005). The Macmillan Dictionary online (www.macmillandictionary.com) defines a Database server as a piece of software that runs on a server computer on a network and allows users on different computers to be able to use a database. In reference to the contributions of the PC World Staff, in an informative article titled Database Servers on October 18, 2002, a database is simply an organized set of information. In the computer world the term database refers to electronically storing highly structured information. A database server, in addition to controlling

Installation Planning the modification of certain information at the same time, also indexes and sorts the information and allows analyses of the information to produce reports. Database servers have become extremely intricate over the years, and have the ability to maintain huge volumes of information, and present it in various formats. Because there are so many types of database servers, and different specifications and purposes for all the available database servers, I will use the SQL (Structured Query Language) which is used by relational databases. Relational databases are the most commonly used databases. SQL is used to help generate reports and define queries and more fundamental elements of databases. Dominating the world of databases, SQL allows developers to use the same basics to query data from a vast array of systems. Standards compliance is important in regards to SQL, more so in environments running more than one operating system. Databases are critical applications, and should be protected with features such as fault tolerance (systems designed to keep the server running in the event of an unexpected error) and load balancing (allows high volume queries to be managed by multiple servers, thus improving response time and performance). In the installation planning process for installing the SQL server a few things to consider are listed as follows: 1) Review the installation requirements. 2) Review system configuration checks and security considerations for a SQL server installation. 3) Review license terms and acceptance in the Setup user interface. 4) Review information pertaining to upgrading the SQL server and acknowledge the server configuration tools. (How to Install SQL Server 2008 R2). File and print servers are the last of the group of servers that I will be describing and such in this report as far as what they are and the purpose of the servers and the installation planning issues involving each of the two. The file server stores data for users in a network, and provides access to users for files stored on the file server. File server (File and Print Servers from

Installation Planning www.completesystemdesign.com) provides safe central storage to important data, with access granted to authorized personnel; that can be accessed from various levels. The print server provides network printing capabilities for the network, allowing you to configure a server to manage functions in the network. The print servers also manage printing between printers and client computers and communication between the printers and the client computers. (Securing Fine and Print Servers from www.tech-faq.com). Both file and print servers need security measures to be initiated by you in order to protect them. You should protect data stored on the file and print servers by using NTFS partitions, which will enable you to specify security for the file system after the user has logged on. You have the ability to govern which users can access what files and folders. In addition you can specify the level of security that is acceptable for users or groups. For the file and print server installation planning issues, there are some points that you should take into consideration. Some of these points are as follows: 1) You must be an Administrator of the system. 2) Must be able to install all the software components. 3) Configure the server by adding additional print drivers for computers that are using different processor architectures. 4) Obtain a Certificate that is issued by a certification authority (CA) that is trusted by both the clients and devices connecting to the server. (Print, Scan, and Fax Server Installation Guide, September 1, 2010) Server virtualization (Server virtualization, December 2004) consists of camouflaging server resources including processors, individual physical servers, and operating systems from users. A software application is used by the administrator to divide one physical server into several isolated virtual environments.

Installation Planning Virtual machines are one of the three approaches to server virtualization. The guest operating system is allowed to run without modifications, because virtual machines are based on the guest/host paradigm, where each guest runs in a virtual imitation of the hardware layer. The guest is unaware that they are running on a virtual layer, because they have no knowledge of the hosts operating system. So according to the guest, they are running on real software. Another approach to the server virtualization is the par virtual machine model. This approach uses a hypervisor to coordinate instructions to the CPU. The hypervisor, better known as the virtual machine monitor (VMM), validates all guest-issued CPU instructions, and handles all executed codes that require additional privileges. In the OS level, things run a little differently. The OS level is the third approach to server virtualization. Different distributions of the same system are allowed, however the guests must use the same OS as the host. This is a result of the host running a single OS kernel, exporting OS functionality to each of the guests. Some benefits of virtualization are that virtual machines can be used group the workloads of several rarely used servers to fewer machines. Virtual machines can also be used to isolate and secure sandboxes, and create operating systems. In addition, virtual machines can give out the illusion of hardware or hardware configurations. An example of a virtualized server is Solaris, used and introduced by Sun in 1996, a static partitioning concept, where the domains, or partitions were defined by a physical subset of resources, such as a system board with processors. The ability to move resources from one domain to another is known as Dynamic System Domains, and in 1999 Sun made this partitioning dynamic. Suns newest baby is based on an isolated and secure execution environment that appears as a real machine to applications.

Installation Planning According to an article by D. Brancato and D. S. Jones, titled Collocation (colocation or co-location) in October, 2000, on the internet, the term co-location means the provision of space for a customers telecommunications equipment in the service providers premises. Colocation is often offered by companies that specialize in Web site hosting. Of course the alternative to co-location is to have the demarcation point and the equipment at the customers premises. The three top reasons that co-location is chosen over shared hosting services or cable/DSL connections are security, performance, and control and flexibility. (Glossary -Colocation from www.lumbercartel.ca). Security is initiated to protect important data, trade secrets and other vital information. However, even with taking all the proper measures to insure a purely safe environment, the unforeseen is possible. On the performance level, faster connectivity is provided to assist in the reduction of usage costs, and the co-location providers generally offer lower rates with a higher volume usage. In regards to control and flexibility co-located internet servers can be customized to meet the needs of developers, by offering strict security measures as well as configuring specific requirements, and scheduling upgrades to happen on non-peak hours for user convenience. So there you have it. Not only have I given a brief description of each of these servers: domain controller, DNS Server, A Terminal Access Gateway, a Web Server, a Database Server, and a File and Print Server, I have also provided information on installation planning issues pertaining to all of the servers listed above. In addition to this information, I offered a large amount of information about server virtualization and an example of this concept. I have also included some benefits from virtualization. To finalize this report you have learned what

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Installation Planning colocation means and the benefits of a collocated server, as well as three reasons that colocation is chosen over shared hosting services or cable/DSL connections.

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Installation Planning References: An Introduction to Virtualization. (January 2004). Amit Singh. Retrieved on January 18, 2012 from http://www.kernelthread.com/publications/virtualization/ Brancato, D. and Jones, D. S. (October 2000). Collocation (colocation or co-location). TechTarget. Retrieved on January 19, 2012 from http://searchsoa.techtarget.com/definition/collocation Database server-definition. (n.a.)(n.d.). Macmillan Publishers Limited. Retrieved on January 19, 2012 from http://www.macmillandictionary.com/dictionary/american/database-server DNS Server. (November 13, 2007). Microsoft. Retrieved on January 18, 2012 from http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc735848(WS.10).aspx DNS Server Hosting. (n.a.)(n.d.). Colocation.net. Retrieved on January 19, 2012 from http://dnsserverhosting.com/articles/what-is-dns-server-hosting/ Domain controller roles. (June 3, 2010). Microsoft. Retrieved on January 15, 2012 from http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc786438(WS.10).aspx File and Print Servers. (n.a.) (n.d.). Complete Systems Design Information Technology Solutions. Retrieved on January 15, 2012 from http://www.completesystemsdesign.com/servers/fileand-print-servers.html Glossary - Co-location. (n.a.) (n.d.). Inter-Corporate Computer & Network Services, Inc. Retrieved on January 19, 2012 from http://www.lumbercartel.ca/glossary/co-location.pl How to install a domain controller. (n.a.) (n.d.) Howtodothings.com. Retrieved on January 15, 2012 from http://www.howtodothings.com/computers-internet/how-to-install-a-domaincontroller How to: Install SQL Server 2008 R2 (Setup). (n.a.)(n.d.). Microsoft. Retrieved on January 19, 2012 from http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb500442.aspx Installing a Web Server. (June 20, 2005). (n.a.). Microsoft. Retrieved on January 19, 2012 from http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb684788.aspx Kayne, R. (12 January 2012). What is a web server? Conjecture Corporation. Retrieved on January 15, 2012 from http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-web-server.htm Lingan, James B. (Oct 29, 2007). Web server. TechTarget. Retrieved on January 15, 2012 from http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/0,,sid9_gci213606,00.html

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Installation Planning Meyers, M. (2010). Mike Meyers' A+ Guide: Essentials (Exam 220-701) (3rd ed.). McGrawHill. [Online version]. Retrieved from AIU Online Virtual Campus. Introduction to Computer and Network Hardware: ITCO103-1201A-03 website. PC World Staff. (18 October, 2002). Database Servers. IDG Communications. Retrieved on January 15, 2012 from http://www.pcworld.idg.com.au/article/191014/database_servers/ Posey, Brien M. (Jul 06, 2006). An overview of longhorn servers terminal service gateway (part 1). TechGenix Ltd. Retrieved on January 15, 2012 from http://www.virtualizationadmin.com/articles-tutorials/terminalservices/security/overview-longhorn-servers-terminal-service-gateway-part2.html Posey, Brien M. (September 2009). Planning a terminal services gateway. TechTarget. Retrieved on January 15, 2012 from http://searchvirtualdesktop.techtarget.com/tip/Planning-aTerminal-Services-Gateway Print, Scan, and Fax Server Installation Guide. (September 1, 2010). Microsoft. Retrieved on January 19, 2012 from http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/print-scan-and-faxserver-installation-guide(WS.10).aspx Public DNS Servers. (n.a.) (n.d.). Tech-FAQ. Retrieved on January 15, 2012 from http://www.tech-faq.com/public-dns-servers.html Securing File and Print Servers. (n.a.) (n.d.). Tech-FAQ. Retrieved on January 15, 2012 from http://www.tech-faq.com/securing-file-and-print-servers.html Sequeira, A. (n.d.). Installing and configuring dns. John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Retrieve on January 19, 2012 from http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/installing-and-configuringdns.html Server virtualization. (December 2004). TechTarget. Retrieved on January 18, 2012 from http://searchservervirtualization.techtarget.com/definition/server-virtualization Terminal Services Gateway. (September 24, 2007). Microsoft. Retrieved on January 15, 2012 from http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc731264(WS.10).aspx

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