SBS - Quick Companyweb Internet Access Link

When we have published the Companyweb site to the Internet via the CEICW and the Remote Web Workplace, there is a very quick way to gain access: Create an Internet shortcut.

Here are the quick links to the Companyweb root site:

• SBS 2003
• https://rww.mysbsdomain.com:444
• SBS 2008:
• https://rww.mysbsdomain.com:987

With this knowledge in hand, we can setup a number of interesting data sharing scenarios based on the built-in SharePoint setup in both versions of SBS.

We could create a document library that only a particular set of domain and non-domain (Extranet) restricted users have access to such as ExternalCompany.

In the above example, we would have the following links:

• SBS 2003
• https://rww.mysbsdomain.com:444/ExternalCompany
• SBS 2008:
• https://rww.mysbsdomain.com:987/ExternalCompany

One could also go so far as to create a SharePoint site that uses the above URL or another set by the domain admin with the appropriate permissions set for that site.

Depending on the situation, an Active Directory OU, Group Policy, and NTFS ACL setups could be utilized to restrict a particular group to the SharePoint site only.

For those that require a distinct separation from their Active Directory domain, the External Collaboration Toolkit for SharePoint would work well. The setup in this case would require us to have a second server setup with IIS6/7 and SharePoint V3 installed.

If the extranet business relationship and data security warrants it, a second level authentication setup could be utilized in the form of AuthAnvil from Scorpion Software. This method of security would completely restrict access to any Internet facing resources to those who hold an AuthAnvil hardware token and a valid user name and password. The cost for the product is very inexpensive relative to the extra level of security it provides.

Some SharePoint related links:

• Microsoft SharePoint Team Blog
• The Sean Blog: SharePoint Extranet Collaboration Toolkit.
• Technet: External Collaboration Toolkit for SharePoint site.
• Somewhat relevant Microsoft document: SharePoint Portal Server 2003 Document: Deploying on an Extranet by Using ISA Server 2000 and ISA Server 2004.
• Windows SharePoint Services search results from Microsoft Downloads site.

Philip Elder
MPECS Inc.
Microsoft Small Business Specialists

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