How to configure a display message when users log on to the Windows 2003 domain

You can configure Windows Server to display a message to users when they log on. The message appears after the user presses CTRL+ALT+DEL and disappears after the user clicks OK. After the message disappears, the user can complete the logon process.

Configuring a Group Policy Setting for a Domain:
1. On the domain controller, start the Group Policy Management snap-in.
2. Expand the forest object in the left pane.
3. Expand the domains object in the left pane. Expand yourdomain.
4. Right Click Default Domain Policy, and then click Edit.
5. Expand the following folder:
Computer Configuration\Windows Settings \Security Settings\Local Policies\Security Options
6. In the right pane, double-click Policies, and then follow these steps to create the message text:
> On a Windows Server 2003-based domain controller:
a. Click Interactive logon: Message title for users attempting to log on, and then type the text that you want to appear in the title bar of the message dialog box.
b. Click Interactive logon: Message text for users attempting to log on, and then type the text of the message that you want to appear in the message dialog box.
> On a Windows 2000-based domain controller:
a. Click Message title for users attempting to log on, and then type the text that you want to appear in the title bar of the message dialog box.
b. Click Message text for users attempting to log on, and then type the text of the message that you want to appear in the message dialog box

Note: If you do not use carriage returns in your display message, the maximum number of characters that you can add to the logon box is 512. If you add carriage returns, you can add up to 2048 characters (512 characters per line).

Managing Distribution/Security group membership from Microsoft Outlook

We can manage the membership of a distribution or security group through Microsoft Outlook if they have an email address setup.
1. Go to the user properties at Active Directory Users and Computers.
2. Click the Managed By tab, click change, choose the name to be the manager of the group.
3. Give check mark on the ‘Manager can update membership list’.

To modify the membership through Microsoft Outlook
1. At Microsoft Outlook, open Address Book
2. Double click on the distribution group name.
3. Under the distribution group properties, click Modify Members.
4. Under Distribution List Membership, click Add. Choose the name to be the member of the distribution list.
5. Click OK 3 times.

How to setup an automatic reply in Outlook 2003/Outlook 2007

The following is done from Microsoft Outlook:
1. On the Tools menu, click Rules and Alerts.
2. In the Rules and Alerts dialog box, click the New Rule button on the E-mail Rules tab.
3. In the Rules Wizard, click the Start from a blank rule button, click Check messages when they arrive, and then click Next.
4. Under Which condition(s) do you want to check?, click to select the Sent Only To Me check box or any other check box that you want, and then click Next.
5. Under What do you want to do with the message?, click to select the Have server reply using a specific template check box.
6. On the Step 2: Edit the Rule Description page of the wizard; click the underlined phrase a specific message.
7. Compose a reply message in the Outlook Editor window. Fill in the subject field, click save and close.
8. Complete the Rules Wizard instructions, click Finish, and then click OK.

Since this is a server based rule, we don’t have to keep the outlook open in order for the rule to be applied.
Note: By default exchange doesn’t allow automatic reply message to be send to external user. You must allow it through Exchange System Manager.

Networking Infrastructure in Windows 2008 – What’s new?

>Installation
Simplified windows configuration
All versions are available in single DVD. Choose which version during installation.
After Installation we can configure the server through Initial Configuration Task Overview.
(Setup the administrator username & password, IP, domain/workgroup, windows update, windows firewall, etc)
Have configurable Server Roles and Features.
All configurations are done through Server Manager Console.
Example of Server Roles: AD Domain Service, DNS, DHCP, File Server, etc
Example of Features: Failover Clustering, Storage Manager for SAN, etc
>Networking
Truly support IPv6 – 128 bit
Network Access Protection availability
Non-comply computer can be directed to isolated segment or denied access
>Server Core Installation
No GUI
For Installation of Role Functionality in Windows 2008
We cannot install other application here.
For better performance and security
>Windows backup
VSS enable on Drive directly
Backup to Bootable CD/DVD
Default backup schedule is full + incremental
>Windows Deployment Service
The Next of RIS
For Installing OS and or Application
Several Image type: Boot Image, Install Image, Capture Image, Discover Image
>Windows Server Virtualization
The Next of Virtual Server 2005
Differencing support on VHD files
Virtual Network use VLAN ID for better performance
Dedicated Processor/RAM blocking on WSV for certain Guest Computer
Support x-64 guest OS
>Clustering & NLB
No more need for a VLAN for geo clustering
No 500 ms limitation for heartbeat

Active Directory in Windows Server 2008 – What’s new?

Ø Active Directory Role in Windows Server 2008
o Active Directory Domain Services (ADDS) – this is like the current AD
o Active Directory Certificate Services (ADCS)
o Active Directory Federation Services (ADFS) – for possible access between two different organization
o Active Directory Lightweight Directory Services (ADLDS) – this is like ADAM in Windows 2003
o Active Directory Rights Management Services (ADRMS)
o Active Directory Read Only Domain Controller (ADRODC) – truly new feature
Ø ADLDS contains customize AD attribute, mainly use for application in DMZ and it is read only too. No authentication and doesn’t support exchange.
Ø ADRMS – for Intranet, Website, Email, and document
Ø For RODC implementation must have at least Windows Server 2003 forest functionality and one Windows Server 2008 DC
Ø By default RODC doesn’t keep password. A password replication policy must be setup. PDC emulator on the Domain must run on Windows Server 2008.
Ø Local Administrator can be set on RODC without giving access to Active Directory.
Ø Improved Auditing in AD
o Directory Service Access (current)
o Directory Service Change
o Directory Service Replication
o Detailed Directory Service ReplicationAuditing is not setup by default. When it’s enable, it can track AD object creation, deletion, modify, or movement.