Re: Securing a Network - What's the most secure Network/Server OS? - Is there a secure way to use Shares?

[Robin Wood <dninja () gmail com>]

2009/3/1 Chip Panarchy <forumanarchy () gmail com>:
> Hello
>
> So far, when I have posted on this Mailing-List I have recieved some
> very informative replies.
>
> I am currently studying for a few certifications, (amongst them MCSE,
> Security+ & the CCNA), and would like to learn how to design a secure
> network.
>
> Please help me with this endeavor.
>
> Hypothetical situation;
>
> ################################################################
> 1x Server (no need to go into specs, but let's just say 8GB of RAM and
> 2x Intel Quad CPU at 2.66GHz)
> 500x Windows Computers (400x Windows XP, 94x Windows Vista and 6x Windows 7)
> 80x Linux Computers (Ubuntu... and others?)
> 46x Mac OS X Computers (Including 10x Tiger, 34x Leopard and 2x Snow Leopard)
> 3x FreeBSD (2x v7, 1x v9)
> ################################################################
>
> ===============================
> 630 computer all up, including the Server
> ===============================
>
> Now onto my question. For a convoluted network as pictured above,
> (hypothetical, of course), what kind of Server (NOS included?)
> operating system should I install, and how should I configure it?
>
> I want to know this only by a security standpoint. Things that are important;
> ############
> # SECURITY #
> ############
> - Encryption of all traffic (256-bit)
> - Shares (if possible to have Shares and still maintain a secure network)
> - Centralised secure storage of Data (Storage)
> - Centralised secure storage of User accounts
> - Unattended installation of (at the very least) the 500 Windows boxes
> - Internet
>
> Please tell me what I would need in this situation, not interested in
> how many people would be needed, how much money it would cost, or how
> much time it would take.
>
> Now time to summarise my questions in an easy to review format;
>
> 1. Which Server Operating system should I install on my Server?
> 2. To make the Network fast (e.g. Gigabit NICs on all computers & more
> Servers etc.), as well as secure, what would I need to do?
> 3. What is the best way to have 256-bit encryption of all traffic on
> this network?
> 4. Is it possible to have Shared folders, yet still attain a
> high-level of security on this Network?
> 5. Would it be possible to have Centralised Storage/Resources?
> 6. Could it be possible to have a Centralised User Account database,
> for this entire network?
>
> Please try your best to answer those 6 questions.
>
> Thanks in advance,

They are very specific numbers for a hypothetical network!

I think any network/server can be made secure if you put the effort in
so my answer would be go with what you know and learn about securing
that rather than taking an OS that is new to you and trying to secure
that.

Sounds like you are primarily a windows shop so stay with windows. I'm
not a windows admin but from what I know active directory and normal
network sharing will do most of what you want.

One thing that I'd question is why do you want all traffic encrypted?
You could do this with a vpn across your lan but you'd hit problems
monitoring it and there would be a speed overhead.

Robin

> Chip D. Panarchy
>
> PS: I was planning on making this into many little Messages on this
> Mailing-list, however, I decided against it. If you think I should
> make them into smaller messages (eg 1 of the 6 questions per message)
> then please tell me.