Adding a server to Active Directory Domain

[Mak]

Hi all

I've got 4 servers and I'd like to manage users and permissions for the 4 from 1, additionally I want to restrict things that users can do, (like shutdown the server, for example!).

In order to do this, here in my LAN I setup 4 servers, in 1 I create a domain, install Active Directory and then I join the others 3 to the domain, run dcpromo and in 1 hour or so I've got 4 nice Win 2003 Servers with Active Directory, that replicate OU, Users, Permissions, etc., and I was happy.

But, in Server Beach the servers can't find the domain. Some explain me that due the insecure protocols Win2003 use, the LAN configuration blocks them and the way to do this is connect the servers via VPN.

So, now I setup the VPN using native Remote Access of Windows and I can connect XP Clients and 2003 servers to the VPN, but, now what next?

When I try to join a server connected via VPN to the domain I get the error that the domain can't be found.

Any idea or directions about this?

I'm very new to networking, I'll appreciate your help.
Thanks

[DXD]

Just a thought but instead of VPN you could pay SB to setup a private network between all the servers which would I think fix the problem your having with getting them to all be part of AD

[noaxispoint]

I would agree with DXD.

I would bet that SB is blocking all SMB/CIFS ports in and out of the network.

VPN's are nice but most of the time ALL tcp/udp packets are routed through the one VPN entry point, unless you setup special routing rules. This could make bandwidth get very expensive as you are likely to have overages if a lot of users are trying to connect to the other 3 servers thru that one entry point.

Using a private lan is the best choice.

[Mak]

ok, that could be a nice option I'll check it out because I'd like the other servers to serve HTTP too.

Thanks