Hi, this is Windows 2000 server newbie query.

ok here it goes: I want to change a backup linux server to a Windows 2000 server to try out some hosting for friends etc.

I have asked the datacenter people to Install Windows 2000 server on it (i provide the licences).
Now after that i have to put some patches & security updates on place. Plus some update to make it .NET? Can someone give me all the links for that? And can all these installed from remote?

Also i plan to install Hosting Controller/ Command Matrix, though not sure which is better. :)

Finally i plan to put a software firewall (cuz don't want to invest on harware firewall now) so what are the options here? norton firewall? ZoneAlarm? Checkpoint?

Your inputs & help much appreciated.

Thanks

The quick easy update security update for Windows is http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com. That will list available hotfixes/security patches and help ease the install. There is also an Auto Update feature available in SP3 which can help.

To install .NET, just go to asp.net. You will find the framework there. Make sure you install .NET first and then run the update. There are a few .NET updates.

They can all be installed remotely. Remotely installing some SQL updates is not recommend.

Make sure you install IISLockdown w/URLScan. It's a big help.

Here is also a good checklist
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/treeview/default.asp?url=/technet/security/tools/chklist/iis5cl.asp

Hope that helps get you started!

Thanks Mike for your input :)

what about Firewall software? any input? anyone?

thanks

Checkpoint is certainly a good industrial strength firewall. I use them previously on my coloc servers. But configuration can be fairly tricky.

Originally posted by tw12
what about Firewall software? any input? anyone?
If you have stopped all the unrequired services, and configured the server correctly, it may not need locally-installed-firewall-software. Of course it depends on your application and situation.