Okay, I am no IT PRO, and really don't have the money to take classes on the new technology or the old.... My question is this, I have setup Active directory, DHCP, DNS and NAT on my server, I have added the computer name and the username to active directory but when I attach my laptop to my Server Box I can't log into it as a domain, it tells me to verify that the server is online because it can't find it! Any Help would be greatly appreciated. BTW, i am running server 2003. sorry.

You'll need to make your laptop a member of the domain, see here: http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/windowsserver2003/technologies/directory/activedirectory/stepbystep/domxppro.mspx Make sure your laptop gets its address from DHCP and that the DNS points towards your domain controller. Start - Run - Cmd - ipconfig /all Check DNS-server value.

Alright I will check this thankyou, question. Is there a specific place that ITs' can go to get discounted licensing for Windows XP Pro?

Okay I will try this when I get home, another question is, I have my laptop hooked up directly to the back of my sever via the 2nd NIC interface, is that okay?and if so, what would the IP address be to my server to point the DNS settings to? or should i run it all through a router?

If you have an autosensing NIC or a "direct" cable (not a regular one) it'll work, otherwise you'll need a switch. Your router probably has a switch built in (if it has more ports on the back, usually says LAN on them.)Your IP can be found on your server by this:start - run - cmd (enter)ipconfig (enter)

I have my laptop plugged directly into my server, and Windows XP (laptop) just returns a 169 address..... Now I have a regular Linksys WRT54G router, will this work? and if I go through a router will all the features be available still?

You'll need a special network cable for connecting directly. I'd recommend buying a 4/8-port switch so you can connect your router, server and client simultaneosly. You want a switch and not a router, since a switch makes sure your computers can talk locally and a router "routes" traffic to computers that are not local. (That was a VERY simple explanation...)