Hi,

I'm looking into getting a dedicated Windows 2000 server and the efreeservers.com Dell PowerApp.web looks like a good deal. I have a few questions though and was wondering if anyone whose using this can help me?

1) The Server does not have DNS on it, but I do have a RaQ with rackshack.net running DNS services. Can I use my rackshack's RaQ as a DNS for the efreeservers Win2k Server?

2) There is no mail software on the PowerApp.web. I wanna go ahead and install MDaemon, however, I was told by a rep at efreeservers that doing so would void my warranty. Is that true? Is it easy to install other software on the PowerApp.web like SQL Server, Cold Fusion etc? Will they work because I'm under the impression that a "modified" version fo Win2k is installed on the server. And what about Service packs for Win2k. Will they install without any problems?

3) How is the server administered? Can you install PC Anywhere on it? Or maybe use Terminal Services? I hope there is an alternate way of accessing the computer besides the control panel from Dell as I will need to install other software.

4) Any comments on efreeservers?

Thanks!
-Abbas

Im looking at the linux box myself, Im not sure on the DNS issue, although I cant see why not, on Dells site they have a good FAQ.

http://www.dell.com/us/en/esg/topics/products_web_pwrap_paw_faq.htm

1) Yes, you can use your other server for dns

2) I'm not sure about it voiding your warranty (seems it doesn't take much to do that these days), but it is not a modified version of Windows. It's the same version. The only difference is some features Dell doesn't think you need have not been installed. I'm not sure *exactly* which features these are, but i think all the standard IIS stuff is there.

3) The server is generally administered through the web-based interface. But for things you can't do from there, you can use PC Anywhere or the Terminal Services Client. The latter works fine...I've tried it.

4) Good folks, great network. My server's not been unreachable since I started with them.

was curious if you can send me a link to MDaemon
I am in the same boat as you looking at a win2k efreesefver and thinking of running some dns under another box
Dell was supose to call me back I had asked similiar questions as you

Sbrad might know if you can use the dell interface for DNS ???

I was told that CF will install fine and that you can just install the dns part of win2k if you want to use it they do not have it installed as a stock item on the appserver
which I can not figure out because the demo at dell interface has dns control in it
so kinda confused at this ????

I am stuck on which email program to use
I have a dell app100 here that i might use as a dev box and mirror out the efreeserver box or else make it a unix box and do email form it

I was told also that SQL should be on another box to run well but was thinking of doing this also on the same box
I know efreeserver told me if I send em all the upgrade hardware the $100 they charge would cover a one time open of the box and they would install as much as I want for that
I was going to buy 2 gigs of memory and 3 18 or 36 gig HD and a second cpu

It's the same version. The only difference is some features Dell doesn't think you need have not been installed. I'm not sure *exactly* which features these are, but I think all the standard IIS stuff is there. It is different. It is "Windows Embedded" which does not include DNS and other programs that are normally include with Windows Server. The goal of the box was to make a "W2K Cobalt" box but they did not do a great job in the design.

No, you cannot install MS DNS (unless you format the drive and install the full version of MS Server) on it but you can use BIND or another variety of DNS. You can also install CF or any other app that is W2K compliant.

If you are looking for a good, low cost email server for your power.app check out Merak mail at http://icewarp.com. Great program and it has a web based interface.

Yes, SQL should be installed on a separate box because it is a memory/cpu hog.

Hope that helps!

Aloha
rackmy thanks for the dns clarify ;)
looks like someone below said it could I was told it could so that is a good thing then
but again sounds like ya might be right
wheeee the plot continues ;)

hmmm do you know how come on the demo on dell site it has some ip inputs etc... or is that just that IP to the domain but no dns ??? if so seems like a funny big hole there

I was hoping I could get a dell app server and get about 50 sites going each with about 5 subdomains without having to go to an external dns
sounds like this will be a no go
they are all my domains so no outside people will need to get into them

It is different. It is "Windows Embedded" which does not include DNS and other programs that are normally include with Windows Server. The goal of the box was to make a "W2K Cobalt" box but they did not do a great job in the design.
I was referring to the Windows kernel being un-touched.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but couldn't you install Bind and have IIS treat it as a snap-in to the MMC?
If you are looking for a good, low cost email server for your power.app check out Merak mail at http://icewarp.com. Great program and it has a web based interface.
Another good Windows mail server I have used (although maybe a bit more pricey) is VOP Mail by Vircom (http://www.vircom.com/en/index_en.shtml)

mmm do you know how com eon the demo on dell site it has some ip inputs etc... or is that just that IP to the domain but no dns ??? if so seems like a funny big hole there Yep, that is only for assigning IP addresses to the server/sites.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but couldn't you install Bind and have IIS treat it as a snap-in to the MMC? I think they are trying to stay in the "web browser based admin" with everything. There is a DNS package that you can install that has a web based interface (and is actually a pretty nice DNS package). I will remember the name and post it here.

Actually, the Dell PowerApp does NOT run an "embedded" version of Windows 2000. It runs an OEM version of Windows 2000 Server with Network Load Balancing called Blade Server. More information about this OEM version is available from Microsoft's Web Hoster program. You have to be a member to learn more about it however.

This being said, the Dell PowerApp can run Windows DNS server. Due to the description of the OS by Microsoft and confirmation from 2 Dell Reps and 1 Dell Network Specialist, I know this to be a fact. FYI :: I'm referring to the PowerApp 110 and 120, the most recent models.

It is true that installing any other software on a Dell PowerApp will void the warranty. But since it is a normal OS, it can be done.

Not sure who your reps are, but you may want to talk to them again.

Our Dell team tell us that it is not an OEM version but is "Windows Embedded" w/ MS Server Appliance Kit. It is a stripped down/custom version of Windows 2000 Advanced Server with Load Balancing. It does not include DHCP, DNS, WINS, DC, RRAS Server, Clustering based and is based on the PowerEdge 1550 Hardware. It is custom for Dell.

No, you cannot install MS DNS on it unless you wipe the drive and install the FULL version of W2K.

I am not sure about the warrantee, but our Dell system engineer told us that if we do not like the "custom" W2K that we can dump it and install "full" W2K with no problems. I am sure our Dell engineers would not tell us this if it would void the warrantee.

I did some research through Dell's premier site and through Microsoft's site. You are correct, it is the new versions of the PowerApp that run embedded Windows 2000. The old versions ran Blade.

Guess you lucked out if you didn't get the "first generation" PowerApps.

I apologize for this mis-information. I will correct our Dell team on Monday.

I remember the DNS software now :) check out http://www.jhsoft.com/

You can run this on your server.

Originally posted by RackMy.com
I remember the DNS software now :) check out http://www.jhsoft.com/

You can run this on your server.

cool thanks for the link
have you run this ????
do you think it is secure ????

by the way I like your site good clean ;)

I am almost thinking of running dns on 2 other servers not sure yet one at rackshack as 2nd and primary on another box that will be a dev box but if this might be secure this will be my biggest thing security ;)

by the way I like your site good clean Thanks so much :)

We are looking to test this system out for a customer, I will let you know what we find. I have heard nothing but great things about it on many other lists.

Aloha
Rackmy curious if ya can answer a couple ? for me ;)

would you run the dellapp windows or reinstall with regular win2k server or adv server
I have 5 lic for each win2k so was wondering if I just used my versions instead of the app version
the interface does not seem that bad for what I want on the dell app servers
I am not offering hosting on these only for my own clients and my own domains and company
anythoughts ? (total around 50-75 domains and about 5 sub domains for each

what are you usign for DNS ?
is the win2k DNS anygood ?
what POP server ?
anyother thoughts ?

I am thinking of also a dell1550 later for running MSSQL
I have a dell app 100 at this point got it brand new for $600 so figured it would be a good dev box

Mahalos for your time

Hey Honu,

Aloha, what island are you on? I lived in Kohala (The BIG Island) for many years and miss it very much!

Let me see if I can help answer your questions.

If you do not need load balancing or clustering, you don't need Dell's W2K version on the power.app or W2K Advanced Server. I would stick with plain old Windows 2000 Server with the minimum services installed.

I personally think the web based control panel is very confusing and poorly designed. They say how popular the Cobalt was doing and wanted to release an "W2K" version. Don't get me wrong, I love Dell products but I think they missed the boat on this one. It is just as easy to log into the server via Terminal Services and admin using the MMC.

We use MS DNS and it works just fine. Easy to use and no problems. We recommend Merak Mail server to our customers who want their own mail server package.

We have quite a few of the Dell 1550s and they are awesome. They can run RAID 5 with dual procs in a 1U form factor. Very nice!

If it were me, I would format the drive on the Dell Power.app 100 and install W2K standard. It should easily handle 50-75 customers (depending on the RAM of course :) ).

Hope that answers your questions. If not, just let me know.

Thanks,

I am using Simple DNS Plus from jhsoft.com on my powerapps and like the title says Simple. I was amazed that I downloaded it and in seconds it was up and running. very good help files and pretty good customer service.

I am not so keen on the powerapps web base control, I had to fight with it for awhile to make it work for domains.

Aloha Bluebeard
any tips or thoughts you can give ??
also what are you using for email ???

Honu, are you wanting win2k or linux? I have win2k powerapps they took alittle bit to get them going, I tossed Dell's application for management on Linux but made it work for win2k.

They seem to work ok, not as good as my IBM AS/400 but the Dell's were about 13k cheaper. I do approve of the powerapps as an entry level server or back up servers.

I do like mailmax so far, easy to config and not to expensive but if you are not going to supply a web base interface for your customers you might want to look at tnsoft.com they look pretty good and very reasonable in price.

Have fun

Aloha
was looking at them for a win2k solution ;)
Linux I would most likely go with Plesk on a box
I am also wondering about just skipping the interface all together and using win2k with its own dns
I have both win2k server adv and win2k server so I can use that without a prob

I am just trying to figure out best way to get into this
with the easiest I can give myself way to manage domains

wher are your located ???

I am also looking at the IBM machines x series ??

my other concerns are backup etc...