windows server Need help with server.

[AndrewMKlasen]

Hello all, I am about to be getting a Dell Power edge with windows server essentials. I want this to be a File Server I can access from anywhere I want other than my local network, is it possible to do this with Windows Server 2016 Essentials? Again this is a File Server I want to use to hold projects and footage for my small company. Thanks for everyone's help.

[Oshino Shinobu]

Best way to do this is with a VPN. I believe the RRAS role is available in Server essentials, so you can do it natively through that role.  

 

 

[AndrewMKlasen]

Sounds great, I'm receiving my 2 poweredges' in a week or so, just want to figure things out before hand, I'm guessing there are tutorials for that online so I'll look around. Thanks again.

[BrinkGG]

10 minutes ago, AndrewMKlasen said:

Hello all, I am about to be getting a Dell Power edge with windows server essentials. I want this to be a File Server I can access from anywhere I want other than my local network, is it possible to do this with Windows Server 2016 Essentials? Again this is a File Server I want to use to hold projects and footage for my small company. Thanks for everyone's help.

Both can be done with roles in windows server. If you have a computer with enough power run a virtual machine, I honestly recommend experimenting with Windows server evaluation copies. They run for 180 days without a license, so you can use this to try adding features and getting used to the UI. 

You can access the evaluation center here. Download the ISO if you want to try it as a VM. 

https://www.starwindsoftware.com/blog/how-to-install-vpn-access-on-windows-server-2016

 

Creating the File server is pretty easy if you've used windows server before:

Open server manager,

Hit add roles and features  (or hit Manage in the top right if it's the same as 2012r2)

Installation Type: Role-Based or Feature-based

Server selection: select your server

Server roles: File and storage services arrow, then File Server. It will probably ask you to add features that it requires to run that service, let it add them. 

Features: It should add these automatically from the last page. Hit next. 

Confirmation: Click install.

 

It should run itself from there. It may ask to restart. 

 

Adding a VPN is a little more complex, the simplest way is through the RAS role in the same installer. 

Here are some step by step instructions with pictures to help: https://www.starwindsoftware.com/blog/how-to-install-vpn-access-on-windows-server-2016

 

[AndrewMKlasen]

9 minutes ago, BrinkGG said:

Both can be done with roles in windows server. If you have a computer with enough power run a virtual machine, I honestly recommend experimenting with Windows server evaluation copies. They run for 180 days without a license, so you can use this to try adding features and getting used to the UI. 

You can access the evaluation center here. Download the ISO if you want to try it as a VM. 

https://www.starwindsoftware.com/blog/how-to-install-vpn-access-on-windows-server-2016

 

Creating the File server is pretty easy if you've used windows server before:

Open server manager,

Hit add roles and features  (or hit Manage in the top right if it's the same as 2012r2)

Installation Type: Role-Based or Feature-based

Server selection: select your server

Server roles: File and storage services arrow, then File Server. It will probably ask you to add features that it requires to run that service, let it add them. 

Features: It should add these automatically from the last page. Hit next. 

Confirmation: Click install.

 

It should run itself from there. It may ask to restart. 

 

Adding a VPN is a little more complex, the simplest way is through the RAS role in the same installer. 

Here are some step by step instructions with pictures to help: https://www.starwindsoftware.com/blog/how-to-install-vpn-access-on-windows-server-2016

 

Thank you so much for the info, I'll experiment with this in a VM before my units arrive.