Cent-Os vs Server 2008 AD system running Exchange

[FeekyChuck]

This may be the worst place to ask this question, but i want you to NOT boo me out of here or key my car! The company i currently work for ( Newly appointed IT manager ), have their network managed by an outside company. They basically run 3 servers ( one at each site ) , VPN is set up between the 3 branches and we all can see the network dives and share resources over the net. They use Cent-os.

My problems with this entire arrangement are many, but the main gripes are a. security. b. the total lack of user access rights management without accessing the firewall to create rules for read only and full access, setting up shared network printers myself etc etc.

Maybe im just stupid, but i am investigating the possibility of switching over to server 2008, exchange 2007 with a ISA2006 firewall. Reason for the above is the industry we are in, has a lot of higly confidential / secret data from suppliers and government, and the idea of joe soap at my isp having access to ecvery single workstation and server makes my hair stand on end.

Further more, having to phone them to move a network printer from one desktop to another, asking for ticket to be logged everytime i want a certain folder made read only, or deny access to a drive is bugging the $h1T out of me.

Any reason why is shouldnt do the windows thing?

 

[The_Unbeliever]

Viruses and trojans for starters. Plus licensing costs.

If you're bugged about Joe Soap and your ISP's seeing your traffic, take a look at stunnel.

 

[Kasyx]

Windows does not play well with others. It can, but it is a headache. What is your security gripe when it comes to Centos?

If you find the command line really tedious, you could install Webmin which would allow you to do pretty much anything you would need to do in the command line via a usefull web interface - set up Squid ACLs, edit Samba shares and user groups, etc.

However, with that being said, it is clear that you are more comfortable with a Windows Server set up, so it may be worth the headache that comes from getting a Windows server to talk to a Linux one. If you're new there, it may be best to go with what you're most comfortable with. Although it wouldn't hurt to get some Linux experience what with Linux set to take over the server market from Windows in the next couple of months *wakes up from wet dream*.

 

[FeekyChuck]

Viruses and trojans for starters. Plus licensing costs.

If you're bugged about Joe Soap and your ISP's seeing your traffic, take a look at stunnel.

The virus and trojan problem can be adressed if u throw enough money after it..lol. As for the security issue, they access my server to do the backups and they manage user folders. Encrypting ( i think ) wont work, as they have all my admin passwords and they have access via vnc to the raw data.

My gripe isnt with Centos ( security wise ) as such, its with a 3rd party accessing my data, and i cant well demand that all my isp's helpdesk personell get a security clearance to access restricted data.

I am comfortable with windows ( to my shame i have to admit ), and i plan on doing the comptia linux+ via intec as soon as complete my security+ this year. Its just an major worry that i have no idea as to how my network is accessed and by whom

 

[Ludjer]

why dont you cut the 3rd part out of the picture
learn to do everything by yourself, this way you can cut costs by kicking out the company that manages the network and do this by yourself, i mean it cant be that hard, its your network, you guys also most probably bought the servers, so its your equipment,

i would take control of the situation, why cant you have the admin password to change file writes, why do you need to ask a 3rd party to do something for you.