HOW TO: Administer, Start, and Stop an NNTP Server in Windows 2000

This step-by-step guide describes how to administer, start, and stop a Network News Transfer Protocol (NNTP) server that is running Microsoft Windows 2000 Server.

Required Hardware or Software

• Microsoft NNTP Service

How to Use the Administrative Tools

The administrative tool for the NNTP service is called Microsoft Management Console (MMC). It can perform all operation tasks and requires a local area network (LAN) connection. This administrative tool is installed by default on the computer running the Microsoft NNTP Service.

To operate the service with MMC from a remote computer, you must use a computer running Windows 2000, and the remote computer must have the Windows 2000 Administrative Tools installed.

How to Start, Stop, and Pause Microsoft NNTP Service

Microsoft NNTP Service runs as a service on Windows 2000 Server. There can be multiple NNTP virtual servers on a computer but only one instance of Microsoft NNTP Service. You can start, stop, or pause each virtual server independently of the others while Microsoft NNTP Service is running.

When you start Microsoft NNTP Service, it accepts new connections from users. When you stop Microsoft NNTP Service, it disconnects current users and does not accept new connections. When you pause Microsoft NNTP Service, every running NNTP virtual server ceases to accept new connections but continues to service existing connections.

To start, stop, or pause Microsoft NNTP Service with Administrative Tools, follow these steps:

1. On the Start menu, click Programs, point to Administrative Tools, and then click Component Services.
2. In the Component Services dialog box, click Services (local).
3. Scroll down the list of Windows 2000 services (in the right panel) if necessary, until you find Microsoft NNTP Service. Right-click Microsoft NNTP Service, and then click either Start, Stop, or Pause.
   
   NOTE: When you restart Microsoft NNTP Service, all NNTP virtual servers that were running when you shut down the service will automatically be restarted. However, an NNTP virtual server that was already stopped when the service was shut down will remain stopped, even after Microsoft NNTP Service is restarted.

How to Shut Down Microsoft NNTP Service Gracefully

If you want to stop Microsoft NNTP Service but not disconnect users currently connected to each of the virtual servers, you can also choose to shut down gracefully. To shut down Microsoft NNTP Service gracefully, follow these steps:

1. Using the procedure shown in the "Starting, Stopping, and Pausing Microsoft NNTP Service" section of this article, pause Microsoft NNTP Service. This prevents new connections.
2. To check for current users on each of your NNTP virtual servers, use either Microsoft Management Console or the Internet Services Manager. Under each NNTP virtual server, click Current Sessions. All current users are listed.
3. If you want to block current users from posting new articles, click the Settings tab, and then click to clear the Allow client posting check box.
4. Stop each NNTP virtual server after all current users have disconnected.
5. After all current users have been disconnected from all virtual servers, stop Microsoft NNTP Service.