Step

Description

1.

Install and configure server hardware

         Unpackaged and prep hardware

         Update the firmware to latest versions

2.

If you will be using hardware like Compaq / Dell servers, you will need to run the appropriate configuration software. i.e., Smart Start

3.

Press F6 if you need to install 3^rd party SCSI or RAID driver(s) that are not currently on the Windows 2000 CDROM

4.

Press Enter to continue with the installation

5.

Press F8 to agree with the license agreement

6.

Follow on screen prompts to create the appropriate partitions.

7.

Select to format the partition using the NTFS file system.

Setup will format the partition and copy installation files. When completed, it will reboot the system and continue to the GUI setup

8.

Click Next to continue

9.

Select the regional settings and click Next

10.

Enter a name and company name and click Next

11.

Select the appropriate license settings and click Next

12.

Select a computer name, enter the administrator password and click Next

Note: Windows 2000 allows passwords of up to 127 characters. I recommend that the Administrator account password is at least nine characters long and that it includes at least one punctuation mark or non-printing ASCII character in the first seven characters. In addition, the Administrator account password should be unique from server to server.

Step

Description

13.

You are now prompted to select the Windows 2000 Components to be installed. I recommend selecting only what is needed. I personally remove the following:

         Accessories and Utilities remove Multimedia, Games, and Chat, in Communications I remove Chat and Phone Dialer and I remove the Accessibility Wizards.

         Indexing Service I highly recommend removing the Indexing Service

         Internet Information Services (IIS) I highly recommend removing the IIS service. If you leave it checked then you will have the option of installing NFuse during the install. I do not recommend this; I try to keep NFuse separated from my application servers. If you must install NFuse on a MetaFrame server then do it from the control server.

         Script Debugger I recommend removing the script debugger unless you or your customer requires it.

You will want to check the Terminal Services checkbox to enable Terminal Services.

14.

Select the Date and Time settings and click Next

15.

Select Application Server Mode and click Next

16.

Select the default permissions for application compatibility

         Permissions compatible with Windows 2000 Users This setting gives default terminal services users the same permissions as a member of the Users group and could cause issues with some legacy applications.

         Permissions compatible with Terminal Server 4.0 Users This setting gives default Terminal Services users full access to critical registry and file system locations thus enabling support for legacy applications while creating a possible security hole and more importantly, gives the end-user the ability to affect the stability of the system.

Click Next

17.

You are now prompted to configure the network settings. I highly recommend configuring the network adapter cards now. Select Custom and click Next.

18.

Double click on Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) enter the appropriate TCP/IP address information documented during the design phase. Note: It is recommended to enter the FQDN for the domain the server is a part of in the DNS Suffix for this connection area of the DNS tab, located behind the Advanced button.

Click Next

19.

The next screen you will see asks you if you would like to join a domain or stay a part of a workgroup. Select the appropriate setting and click Next

Setup continues by copying system files and registers system components.

20.

Click Finish to reboot and logon for the first time

Step

Description

21.

Install any drivers necessary. Microsoft recommends that you place the system into install mode if you will be installing any hardware or hardware drivers. Refer to How to install applications section later in this document for more information on install mode.

Click Start Run type: change user /install click OK

When you have completed the install of the new hardware you will need to place the system back in to Execute mode.

Click Start Run type: change user /execute click OK

22.

If you will need to install the Novell Client, you will need to do so now.

When completed you will want to disable the Novell System Tray Icon

Disable Novell System Tray Icon

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Novell\Network Provider\Menu Items]

"Enable System Icon"=string:YES

If you experience slow logons, you might want to adjust the network bindings

23.

Install Microsoft Service Pack 2

http://www.microsoft.com/windows2000/downloads/servicepacks/sp2/default.asp

Note: At the time of press I do NOT recommend installing Service Pack 3. If you find you have no choice but to upgrade to SP3 then please refer to http://www.dabcc.com/ThinSol/XP/docs/mfxpsp3issues.htm

24.

Microsoft recently released a Windows 2000 Security Roll-up Hotfix.

Download from http://www.microsoft.com/windows2000/downloads/critical/q311401/default.asp

For more information check: http://www.microsoft.com/technet/treeview/default.asp?url=/technet/security/news/w2ksrp1.asp

25.

Run Microsoft Windows Update and install all Critical Updates and Service Packs, Root Certificates, Windows Compatibility Updates.

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsupdate

Note: Remember to use change user /install mode for any updates. For more information on change user /install mode please refer to Installing Applications later on in this section.

Note: Do NOT install Service Pack 3 unless you need it and then be very careful. Please refer to: http://www.dabcc.com/ThinSol/XP/docs/mfxpsp3issues.htm

Step

Description

26.

Set the media type, duplex setting, and the speed that the NIC is required to use within the environment. Verify that the switch or managed switch is configured to the preferred setting. Never allow the NIC to Auto detect the settings as described in section Throttling Port Speed and Duplex Settings

         Click Start click Settings click Control Panel click Network and Dial-Up Connections right click on Local Area Network click Properties click Configure click the Advanced Tab

27.

Disable any additional Network Interface Cards or implement NIC Teaming per the supplied vender installation procedures.

         Click Start click Settings click Control Panel click Network and Dial-Up Connections Right click on any additional NICs and click Disable

28.

Create and format any additional partitions

29.

Move the page file to another faster drive or the second partition if available and set the PAGEFILE to 2.1 (4095 MB max) times the total amount of physical RAM installed on the server

         Click Start click Settings click Control Panel double click the System applet click on the Advanced tab click Performance Options click Change

30.

Increase the Registry Size. 125MB should be sufficient.

         Click Start click Settings click Control Panel double click on the System applet click Advanced tab click Performance Options click Change