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I wouldn't use the same server to do both Exchange and a proxy server.. &nbsp; If you want a proxy/firewall machine, go grab an old P166 with two NICs in it and download OpenBSD or FreeBSD or Red Hat or something and use that... &nbsp; 
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I wouldn't use the same server to do both Exchange and a proxy server..   If you want a proxy/firewall machine, go grab an old P166 with two NICs in it and download OpenBSD or FreeBSD or Red Hat or something and use that...  

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Real simple one for you guys. &nbsp;I have had years of experience networking and supporting large networks but have never had to setup a network (except 2 PCs connected together) of any size. &nbsp;Until now (tomorrow)<br />
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I plan to just have a 2K3 server connected to a switch with 4 PCs running XP connected to said switch. &nbsp;The server is to act as file server, exchange server and internet proxy server. &nbsp;With this in mind, is there anything I should know in advance before just 'unboxing' and installing O/Ss? &nbsp;Could I just 'Wing' it? &nbsp;Would you suggest IP on such a small network (site not going to be connected to any others).
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Real simple one for you guys.  I have had years of experience networking and supporting large networks but have never had to setup a network (except 2 PCs connected together) of any size.  Until now (tomorrow)

I plan to just have a 2K3 server connected to a switch with 4 PCs running XP connected to said switch.  The server is to act as file server, exchange server and internet proxy server.  With this in mind, is there anything I should know in advance before just 'unboxing' and installing O/Ss?  Could I just 'Wing' it?  Would you suggest IP on such a small network (site not going to be connected to any others).

Tiny network setup

Windows Server 2003 was based on Windows XP and was released in four editions: Web, Standard, Enterprise and Datacenter. It also had derivative versions for clusters, storage and Microsoft’s Small Business Server. Important upgrades included integrating Internet Information Services (IIS), improvements to Active Directory (AD) and Group Policy (GP), and the migration to Automated System Recovery (ASR).