Networks

Ask something
Discussion Locked

SBS 2003 and Windows XP SP2

0 helpful
7 replies

by rmccon

Closed to new repliesThis discussion is closed. It stays readable, but it takes no new replies.

Hi,
I am managing a small office with about 13 users on an SBS2003 system. We need some help researching what problems may arise when we install SP2 for Windows XP. I have done some research on the net and read most of the microsoft aritcles, but I am sure there are some things they are not saying.

We mainly use Office 2003, Outlook 2003 w/Exchange, and Symantec Corporate Antivirus 9.0.

Any help would be appreciated.

Rob

7 replies

by vinnyd

I use SBS2003 and have updated all my office computers to Win XP Service Pack 2

You will not have a problem as long as each computer is logged into the domain.

I have everything you do except for Symantec corp AV.

by edlockett

My advice would be that if you can, install on a test machine first. We have 2003SBS with about 20 clients. So far four have automatically updated to SP2. I have set group policy to disable windows firewall for now. So far no major issues.

by haileyan

The main issues you will experience arrise from the new Windows Firewall being turned on by default after the upgrade to SP2. It blocks all inbound traffic to the workstations by default. If you do not make modifications you will not be able to remotely manage the workstations, connect to them using VNC or Remote Desktop and if your AV server will not be able to monitor workstations.

The good news is that you can use Group Policy to setup all of the Firewall settings before SP2 is rolled out. The first time they boot up with SP2 they will have the firewall settings that you need.

You need SP2 on an administrative workstation before the new Firewall group policy settings will show up. Modify Group Policy from this workstation. Firewall settings in Group Policy are in Computer Configuration => Administrative Templates => Network => Network Connections => Windows Firewall. There are two sub-folders. One is firewall settings for computers logged into the domain. You will want this to be more lenient to allow fior management of your workstations. The Standard configuration is the Firewall configuration used by the computer when not connected to the domain. You will make this much more restrictive for laptop users when they are out of the office.

If you have any specific questions about configuring the firewall feel free to email me.

Here is a link to "Deploying Windows Firewall Settings for MS Windows XP SP2":
http://download.microsoft.com/download/6/8/a/68a81446-cd73-4a61-8665-8a67781ac4e8/WF_XPSP2.doc

This discussion is closed to new replies.