Learning Windows Server 2003

In this chapter, I'll take a look at five major communications and networking services that are commonly used in Windows Server 2003 installationsthe Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol, which helps administrators with IP address management, the Routing and Remote Access Service to manage inbound connections from VPN users, Certificate Services, to enable secure identity verification and transmission processes, the IP Security service to encrypt IP traffic between computers, and the Network Access Quarantine Control feature to protect your network from untrusted clients.

This chapter has a practical focus. Entire books can be (and have been) written on each of these topics, so I cannot possibly cover all of them in depth. Because of the vast amount of resources already available, I've chosen to focus on providing instructions for configuring these protocols and services to work under Windows Server 2003 rather than overwhelm you with page after page of theory. I discuss the mechanics a bit, but I place more emphasis on hands-on activities. At the end of the chapter I provide a comprehensive list of resources if you want more theory and background on these networking topics.

Let's begin.