1.1 Intranets are Becoming More and More Popular
“As the strategic importance of information as a corporate asset to be leveraged
for competitive advantage becomes clearer to senior management, the key role
played by local area networks (LANs) to deliver that precious information to the
right place and time has become equally clear” (Goldman, Rawles, 2000, p. 11).
Since Intranets can provide secure and fast internal communication for
companies and since it can save cost at different parts of the company due to
resource sharing for example, Intranets become more and more popular among
all sizes of companies. Intranet growth even exceeds the rate of Internet
growth.
1.2 Procedure and Aim of this Report
To get their Intranets up and running companies need competent and highly
skilled network administrators. They are needed not only to set up the Intranet
but also to maintain it, to give user support, and to update soft- and hardware.
This report’s goal is to lay the foundations for the skills needed to become a
network administrator. It can be used as an introduction for new trainee network
administrators. Therefore, it will explain how to use and test Dynamic Host
Configuration Protocol (DHCP), Windows Internet Naming Service (WINS), the
Internet Information Server (IIS) and Proxy servers. It will focus on Microsoft
products in an Windows NT 4.0 environment. Furthermore, the report will
explain, why these servers and services should be included in a company’s
Intranet. However, the report will not give detailed technical explanations on
these services, but provide a general overview.
Table of Contents
1 Introduction
1.1 Intranets are Becoming More and More Popular
1.2 Procedure and Aim of this Report
2 Computer Names and IP Addresses
2.1 Principles of Name Resolution
2.2 Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol
2.2.1 Purpose of Having DHCP on a Network
2.2.2 How to Use the DHCP Server
2.2.2 How to Test the DHCP Server
2.3 Windows Internet Naming Service
2.3.1 Purpose of Having WINS on a Network
2.3.2 How to Use the WINS Server
2.3.2 How to Test the WINS Server
3 Internet Information Server
3.1 Purpose of Having IIS on a Network
3.2 How to Use IIS
3.3 How to Test IIS
4. Microsoft Proxy Server
4.1 Purpose of Having a Proxy Server on a Network
4.2 How to Use Microsoft Proxy
4.3 How to Test Microsoft Proxy
5 Conclusion
Objectives and Themes
This report aims to provide foundational knowledge for trainee network administrators on the implementation and testing of essential network services within a Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 environment. It outlines the operational principles and management procedures for key infrastructure components required for effective intranet administration.
- Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) for automated IP address management.
- Windows Internet Naming Service (WINS) for dynamic name resolution.
- Internet Information Server (IIS) for hosting internal web and FTP services.
- Microsoft Proxy Server for enhancing network security and internet access control.
Excerpt from the Book
2.2.1 Purpose of Having DHCP on a Network
As mentioned above every device in a network has an IP address to provide clear identification. Managing IP addressing is one of a network administrator’s tasks. In the past static IP addresses were given to each machine in the network. The disadvantage of that was that the administrator had to specify the IP address of every computer manually. This was of course a great source of errors because you can easily give a wrong number to a machine. Big problems arise when two machines have the same number. Furthermore, it was very time consuming to manage all these IP addresses. A DHCP server can automate IP addressing and therefore eliminate this important error source. It automatically gives IP addresses to client stations that are logging onto the network. By keeping track of the assigned IP addresses it eliminates the danger of giving the same address to different machines. Consequently, the DHCP clients do not require manual configuration for IP addressing when a DHCP server is running.
When a machine is logging onto the network it first sends a lease request, which is a broadcast request to the network. Normally, a DHCP server responds to the request and sends a packet with the addressing information. Then the client selects the first answer it receives and sends back its acknowledgement.
Chapter Summary
1 Introduction: This chapter highlights the rising importance of Intranets in corporate environments and establishes the report's goal of training new network administrators in essential server management.
2 Computer Names and IP Addresses: It details the mechanisms of name resolution in local networks, explaining how NetBIOS names are mapped to IP addresses.
2.2 Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol: This section covers the purpose of automating IP address assignment and the configuration steps required for a DHCP server.
2.3 Windows Internet Naming Service: It explores how WINS simplifies name resolution in routed networks compared to traditional broadcast methods.
3 Internet Information Server: This chapter introduces IIS as a fundamental component for providing web and FTP services within an organizational Intranet.
4. Microsoft Proxy Server: It describes the advantages of using a proxy server for security, caching, and controlled internet access for network users.
5 Conclusion: The concluding chapter summarizes the key network services discussed and emphasizes the report as a starting point for further technical learning.
Keywords
Intranet, Network Administration, DHCP, WINS, IIS, Microsoft Proxy Server, Windows NT 4.0, IP Addressing, NetBIOS, Name Resolution, Web Server, FTP, Network Security, Caching, Client-Server.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this report?
The report serves as a user guide for trainee network administrators, specifically focusing on the setup, configuration, and testing of common Microsoft network services.
Which key technologies are discussed in the work?
The primary technologies covered are DHCP, WINS, Internet Information Server (IIS), and Microsoft Proxy Server.
What is the primary goal of the author?
The aim is to provide a solid foundational overview of these four services to help new administrators gain the necessary skills for managing an Intranet in a Windows NT 4.0 environment.
What methodology does the author utilize?
The author uses a descriptive and instructional approach, outlining the purpose of each service, how to implement them, and how to verify their functionality through testing procedures.
What does the main body of the work address?
The main body breaks down each of the four network services into individual chapters that explain why the service is needed, how to configure it via its respective management tool, and how to test for successful operation.
Which keywords characterize this document?
Core keywords include Intranet, Network Administration, DHCP, WINS, IIS, Microsoft Proxy Server, and Windows NT 4.0.
Why does the author recommend installing at least two DHCP servers?
The author suggests this to ensure network availability, as clients would be unable to log onto the network if the primary DHCP server were to fail.
What is the specific benefit of using a Proxy Server as mentioned in the text?
Beyond providing internet access, it enhances security by hiding internal network architecture from external threats and improves performance through the caching of frequently accessed web pages.
- Quote paper
- Andreas Thiel (Author), 2001, User Guide for Trainee Network Administrators - DHCP, WINS, IIS, Proxy, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/18247
