[bigyin]

Hi, i've to setup a server for a school and each user will have their own login. What is the best way to setup the users for use on the pc. I want them to be able to access everything but not permanently make changes. I want them to be able to move from computer to computer and have their own stuff. I want to have their outlook or outlook express to go with them and their office applications not to always complete the installation cause it thinks its a new user.
I have seen roaming profiles but have been warned that they can be slow. Also have seen folder redirection but don't know if this covers what i need to do.
Any pointers would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

[serverguy]

Well, I suggest you get a Windows Server 2003 For Dummies book and get reading! Honestly, that is the best investment you are going to make if this is what you have to do.

But I will say a few points.

You definitely don't want Roaming Profiles. That is a big no no. Way too slow as you have already been told. Folder Redirection is the way to go.

You need to get Server 2003 installed on a decent spec server grade machine (not a desktop machine). If you already have the server then you needn't worry about this.

Then you need to promote it to a Domain Controller and add all the client computers (running XP Pro I expect) to the domain so as you can manage them.

Then configure all the users and redirect all their My Documents etc to a share on the server. There are so many different ways of doing this I cannot go through them all but a Group Policy is probably the best way forward.

Then get AV, internet access etc sorted and you are done! It isn't that easy in reality though.

I am happy to help you much more in accomplishing what you need to do, but I need much more information. Like how many clients there are, what sort of hardware you have, what experience with Server 2003 you have, what sort of internet connection you have etc.

If there are a limited number of people (less than 50) you could go with Small Business Server which would be a lot easier to set up but limits you to 75 users / clients.

For email, I suggest a web based solution. VPOP3 is what I suggest for a school as it is simple to use and has excellent support and is affordable. Don't even bother trying setting up an Exchange Server!

Depending on your internet connection, you may want to use a Gateway / Smarthost server to send the mail on to other servers.

Also, is the network already setup with necessary, wiring, wireless etc? If not you have a lot of work!

You may also want to read some things on Technet. The Technet forums are also an excellent resource.

[bigyin]

Thanks for your reply Serverguy. I'm off on Mondays so only seen the thread today.

I know what you are getting at regarding the folder redirection so that they have their my docs and desktop wherever they sit. However what other settings can be taken when the person moves seats. The tutor has e-mail accounts through Outlook and Outlook Express and they need these for the courses they teach so she wants them to move with the user.

She also has media player playlists, so she has to go to each computer to configure. Is there a way of sharing the playlists so that if i setup a new user it can be pointed to the folder.

She wants the users to have everything they use if they move. I presume what i am talking about is roaming profiles as i am not sure what application data i can also redirect.

Currently i have the server setup on a domain for the users and they have logon scripts pointing them to their own folders. When they move computers they can login okay and get their folders but IE and Office takes it as a new user and goes through the setup. Would like to get rid of this also.

Thanks for your help.