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Resolved Question

Using small business server without dhcp and dns server.

Aug 21, 2013 3:49AM PDT

We have been running Small Business Server 2003 R2 for some years now, and our server is getting older. We are moving our emails into the could now (not hosted Exchange because we don't need it) so we won't need to run exchange on our server any more. I'm also considering installing a Rackmount NAS for our files instead of storing them on our server.

I would still like to keep a server (maybe upgrade to Server 2012 Essentials if needed) for things like backups, running the security center, managing users (administrators, power users, user...), etc.

How can I set that up so I can have a server, but in case the server is down, I want all clients to still have access to the NAS and the internet.

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Best Answer

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You could put the addresses in the hosts file.
Aug 21, 2013 6:46AM PDT

As you are a network admin, I'll lead with the simplest solution and won't mention that said server does not have the be the DHCP/DNS source. A common router which many businesses use can do that.
Bob

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Could I keep the domain that way?
Aug 21, 2013 10:24AM PDT

I have never worked with the hosts file, but I think I have an idea how it works. The hosts file in each computer would tell the computer to go to the sonicwall hardware firewall, in my case, for domain name resolution instead of to the server.

Since Small Business Server "interweaves" services like DNS, DHCP, and Active Directory, can I use the server for Active Directory or as Domain Controller without letting it be DHCP and DNS server? (You might have answered this in your previous post already, but how can it be done without getting into problems?)

One reason why I want active directory is for file permissions and user templates. Maybe it's not worth it. Should I just use a workgroup?

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Sorry
Aug 22, 2013 3:17AM PDT

But you just went beyond what I can discuss in 3 or less paragraphs. The simplest solution with the hosts file is pretty basic IT lore and even if a new IT person didn't know, a google with What is the hosts file? finds more than enough about that.

In short, with the server's name in the hosts file the machine knows which IP the server is at so it can log in to the domain. Since a DNS can be an entry in the usual control panel, one can elect to put that as they wish.

But setup may be why I would never do this. That is I tend to want machines that don't need more than one or two settings to get into action. What I need to edit must fit on a small post-it note.
Bob

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Answer
A side note about change.
Aug 22, 2013 5:01AM PDT

I'm seeing a move away from draconian control of business networks. That is, as many are moving to BYOD (which is a discussion on its own merit) you see the idea of Windows Server at the heart of the network dismissed and your network is just a that. A network for some file sharing and communication.

Bob