IIS and SMTP - newbie NNTP help

Author

newbie NNTP help

Dennis Jones

2007-01-26, 7:23 pm

Hello,

I'm using Windows Server 2003 and I'd like to learn more about how to setup
newsgroups. I have figured out how to create newsgroups in the "Default
NNTP Virtual Server," and I am able to connect to them and post/read
messages using Outlook Express, but I have a number of questions:

1) When I set up my web server, Windows Server let me define multiple
(virtual) websites on the same TCP port (port 80). Do the virtual NNTP
servers work that way too? In other words, can I set up two virtual servers
(e.g. news.mydomain.com and news.myotherdomain.com) without having to change
the port on one of them from 119 to something non-standard?

2) I am not at all familiar with moderator operations. How do I set up the
ability to cancel posts? Can I cancel posts using the Outlook Express news
reader?

3) What are the meanings and purpose of the default newsgroups (control.*)?
Are they required? If they are required, can I hide them from users when
they view the list of newsgroups available on my server?

I've poked around some using Google, but haven't really found much
information relating to NNTP server setup. If these questions are too basic
for this newsgroup, I apologize. I just didn't know where else to start and
I figured the folks here could point me in the right direction. If there
are online resources or references that will answer my questions, please
feel free to direct me to them.

Thanks in advance,

- Dennis

Dennis Jones

2007-02-02, 1:30 am

"Dennis Jones" <nospam@nospam.com> wrote in message
news:OdUPjaaQHHA.1212@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...

<snip>

Anyone?

PeterD

2007-02-02, 1:17 pm

On Thu, 1 Feb 2007 20:08:26 -0800, "Dennis Jones" <nospam@nospam.com>
wrote:

>
>"Dennis Jones" <nospam@nospam.com> wrote in message
>news:OdUPjaaQHHA.1212@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
>
><snip>
>
>Anyone?
>

Anyone what? Why'd you snip the original message?

Dennis Jones

2007-02-02, 1:17 pm

"PeterD" <peter2@hipson.net> wrote in message
news:lsl6s29q6eo5tspimsabt9b5a3pegpv1a6@
4ax.com...
> On Thu, 1 Feb 2007 20:08:26 -0800, "Dennis Jones" <nospam@nospam.com>
> wrote:
>
>
> Anyone what? Why'd you snip the original message?

Because there was no point in duplicating the content, was there?

- Dennis

PeterD

2007-02-02, 7:19 pm

On Fri, 2 Feb 2007 10:24:11 -0800, "Dennis Jones" <nospam@nospam.com>
wrote:

>
>"PeterD" <peter2@hipson.net> wrote in message
> news:lsl6s29q6eo5tspimsabt9b5a3pegpv1a6@
4ax.com...
>
>Because there was no point in duplicating the content, was there?
>
>- Dennis
>

Uh, like we're supposed to trace back the thread util we find the
original content?

What the hepq do you think quoting is for? You are *MUCH* more likely
to get answers if you make it easy for people to answer you. Snipping
the original question just made it virtually 100% that no one will
bother.

Dennis Jones

2007-02-02, 7:19 pm

"PeterD" <peter2@hipson.net> wrote in message
news:lj57s2p6qdrnjbe9pf8as1o0h340vm7s8p@
4ax.com...

> Uh, like we're supposed to trace back the thread util we find the
> original content?

It's not like you had to search 10 messages, for goodness sake.

> What the hepq do you think quoting is for? You are *MUCH* more likely
> to get answers if you make it easy for people to answer you. Snipping
> the original question just made it virtually 100% that no one will
> bother.

And if I had quoted the original message, I would have been flamed for
over-quoting. I just can't win for losing I guess, huh?

- Dennis

PeterD

2007-02-03, 1:17 pm

On Fri, 2 Feb 2007 16:33:52 -0800, "Dennis Jones" <nospam@nospam.com>
wrote:

>
>"PeterD" <peter2@hipson.net> wrote in message
> news:lj57s2p6qdrnjbe9pf8as1o0h340vm7s8p@
4ax.com...
>
>
>It's not like you had to search 10 messages, for goodness sake.
>
>
>And if I had quoted the original message, I would have been flamed for
>over-quoting. I just can't win for losing I guess, huh?
>
>- Dennis
>

Let's see, you didn't get an answer, but at least you didn't get
flamed for over quoting... I guess that's a winner, right?

I answer questions, but I don't go on hunting trips for the
questions!

Yes, you lost.

Try again, this time don't snip the question! Sure you can snip parts
of posts that are not significant, and that's expected. But snipping
the question itself... Well, what the heck do you think quoting is
for, anyway!

PeterD

2007-02-03, 1:17 pm

Dennis Jones

2007-02-04, 1:23 am

"PeterD" <peter2@hipson.net> wrote in message
news:si49s2hl4cqgmjkevv4ea4l9kqccmtnihm@
4ax.com...

> I answer questions, but I don't go on hunting trips for the
> questions!

A hunting trip would only have been necessary if your news reader didn't
provide a hierachical view of the posts. Since there was only one original
post and a single sub-post ping to see if anyone was listening, if you saw
the ping, it _should_ have been an *extremely simple* matter to find the
original post (no hunting required) -- so I guess I just don't see what all
the fuss is about.

Every newsgroup is different, but most other newsgroups would have been
completely unforgiving if I had quoted my original post just to see if
anyone was paying attention. I was apparently gravely mistaken (in this
newsgroup) to think it would be better to save space rather than violate the
DRY principle.

So Peter, to get back on-topic, the following quote (of my original post) is
for you:

I'm using Windows Server 2003 and I'd like to learn more about how to setup
newsgroups. I have figured out how to create newsgroups in the "Default
NNTP Virtual Server," and I am able to connect to them and post/read
messages using Outlook Express, but I have a number of questions:

1) When I set up my web server, Windows Server let me define multiple
(virtual) websites on the same TCP port (port 80). Do the virtual NNTP
servers work that way too? In other words, can I set up two virtual servers
(e.g. news.mydomain.com and news.myotherdomain.com) without having to change
the port on one of them from 119 to something non-standard?

2) I am not at all familiar with moderator operations. How do I set up the
ability to cancel posts? Can I cancel posts using the Outlook Express news
reader?

3) What are the meanings and purpose of the default newsgroups (control.*)?
Are they required? If they are required, can I hide them from users when
they view the list of newsgroups available on my server?

I've poked around some using Google, but haven't really found much
information relating to NNTP server setup. If these questions are too basic
for this newsgroup, I apologize. I just didn't know where else to start and
I figured the folks here could point me in the right direction. If there
are online resources or references that will answer my questions, please
feel free to direct me to them.

Thanks in advance,

- Dennis

PeterD

2007-02-04, 1:16 pm

On Sat, 3 Feb 2007 18:58:39 -0800, "Dennis Jones" <nospam@nospam.com>
wrote:

>So Peter, to get back on-topic, the following quote (of my original post) is
>for you:
>
>
>I'm using Windows Server 2003 and I'd like to learn more about how to setup
>newsgroups. I have figured out how to create newsgroups in the "Default
>NNTP Virtual Server," and I am able to connect to them and post/read
>messages using Outlook Express, but I have a number of questions:
>
>1) When I set up my web server, Windows Server let me define multiple
>(virtual) websites on the same TCP port (port 80). Do the virtual NNTP
>servers work that way too? In other words, can I set up two virtual servers
>(e.g. news.mydomain.com and news.myotherdomain.com) without having to change
>the port on one of them from 119 to something non-standard?

I don't think there is, but I can't check for sure right now. I feel
that probably not, but who knows. Generally one would restrict gropus
using othet techniques such as permissions.

>
>2) I am not at all familiar with moderator operations. How do I set up the
>ability to cancel posts? Can I cancel posts using the Outlook Express news
>reader?

When I want to cancel a post, I do it on the server... <g> That makes
it instant.

>
>3) What are the meanings and purpose of the default newsgroups (control.*)?

They are management groups used by the server itself. To do tasks such
as cancel a post! <g>

>Are they required?

Absolutely!

>If they are required, can I hide them from users when
>they view the list of newsgroups available on my server?

Yes, and I've always wondered why MSFT doesn't do so by default. Use
permissions.

>
>I've poked around some using Google, but haven't really found much
>information relating to NNTP server setup. If these questions are too basic
>for this newsgroup, I apologize. I just didn't know where else to start and
>I figured the folks here could point me in the right direction. If there
>are online resources or references that will answer my questions, please
>feel free to direct me to them.
>

That's better!

Dennis Jones

2007-02-05, 1:18 pm

"PeterD" <peter2@hipson.net> wrote in message
news:af0cs29r3sntshjus0b8kql01gssvt6c3k@
4ax.com...
>
> I don't think there is, but I can't check for sure right now. I feel
> that probably not, but who knows. Generally one would restrict gropus
> using othet techniques such as permissions.

What is a good source (Internet site?) of information for newsgroup server
configuration? The online help is lousy, unless you already know what
you're doing (in which case you don't need the help to begin with!). I'd
like to find something like a setup tutorial.

>
> When I want to cancel a post, I do it on the server... <g> That makes
> it instant.

Can you provide a little more detail? How do you cancel posts from the
server?

>
> Yes, and I've always wondered why MSFT doesn't do so by default. Use
> permissions.

How is that done exactly? I am unable to find permissions information for
the groups. All I see when I select properties for a group is a place for a
description, a pretty name, and whether or not it is moderated or
read-only -- there is nothing (obvious) to suggest that I can change its
"permissions."

Will setting/changing permissions on groups require users to login to the
newsgroup server with a username and password?

- Dennis

PeterD

2007-02-05, 7:18 pm

On Mon, 5 Feb 2007 08:15:18 -0800, "Dennis Jones" <nospam@nospam.com>
wrote:

>
>"PeterD" <peter2@hipson.net> wrote in message
> news:af0cs29r3sntshjus0b8kql01gssvt6c3k@
4ax.com...
>
>What is a good source (Internet site?) of information for newsgroup server
>configuration? The online help is lousy, unless you already know what
>you're doing (in which case you don't need the help to begin with!). I'd
>like to find something like a setup tutorial.
>
>
>
>Can you provide a little more detail? How do you cancel posts from the
>server?
>
>
>
>How is that done exactly? I am unable to find permissions information for
>the groups. All I see when I select properties for a group is a place for a
>description, a pretty name, and whether or not it is moderated or
>read-only -- there is nothing (obvious) to suggest that I can change its
>"permissions."
>
>Will setting/changing permissions on groups require users to login to the
>newsgroup server with a username and password?
>
>- Dennis
>

Dennis, I'm short of quick answers on this because it's been a few
months since I did any NNTP server configurations. As to hiding the
control groups, there is a KB article on it at MSFT

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/261244

That should cover you there.

F0r deleting posts, maybe

http://www.houseofhelp.com/forums/s...ead.php?t=46385

might help.

Dennis Jones

2007-02-06, 1:17 pm

"PeterD" <peter2@hipson.net> wrote in message
news:cfefs2hhpfe0kto1p839jfv5ere40vtnls@
4ax.com...

> Dennis, I'm short of quick answers on this because it's been a few
> months since I did any NNTP server configurations. As to hiding the
> control groups, there is a KB article on it at MSFT
>
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/261244
>
> That should cover you there.
>
> F0r deleting posts, maybe
>
> http://www.houseofhelp.com/forums/s...ead.php?t=46385

Unfortunately, both of these links apply to IIS 4.0 (Windows Server 2003 has
version 6.0), so their instructions are so far out of date that they are
useless.

However, they gave me some ammunition. I found some information on MSDN
that looks like it will be helpful:

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/pr...2.mspx?mfr=true

- Dennis

PeterD

2007-02-06, 7:22 pm

On Tue, 6 Feb 2007 10:10:09 -0800, "Dennis Jones" <nospam@nospam.com>
wrote:

>
>"PeterD" <peter2@hipson.net> wrote in message
> news:cfefs2hhpfe0kto1p839jfv5ere40vtnls@
4ax.com...
>
>
>Unfortunately, both of these links apply to IIS 4.0 (Windows Server 2003 has
>version 6.0), so their instructions are so far out of date that they are
>useless.
>
>However, they gave me some ammunition. I found some information on MSDN
>that looks like it will be helpful:
>
>http://www.microsoft.com/technet/pr...2.mspx?mfr=true
>
>- Dennis
>

That might be very useful for you. IIRC NNTP has not changed a great
deal over the years however. So don't give up on the suggested links
too quickly... <g>