Goal: Allow company’s external clients access to view applicable projects, the view being tailored to each client. Client enters http://projects.mycompany.com/projectserver in their browser, authenticates to domain and enters username and password in Project Web Access and can view their projects.

Background: Company has less than 20 employees and no full-time IT staff.  Company has multiple domestic and international clients and tracks work using MS Project.  Company purchased SBS 2003 Premium Server and successfully implemented Exchange, SQL and ISA 2004 components.  Company has a single static external IP address.  Company desired to standardize Projects as well as to allow external client acces to their project. Thus, Company desired to purchase MS Project Server.

Problem:  The use of MS Project Server on an SBS Server is not supported due to conflicts in the Sharepoint services.  Also, the documented solution[1] for external access requires a second installation of MS Project Server, SSL and VPN.  It does not consider the use of ISA.

Solution:  The Company purchased a second server and installed Windows 2003 Server in application mode.  MS Project Server was installed on this server (CPS02).

 

We had to make modifications to the default IIS settings on CPS02, to create a custom rule in ISA on CPS01 and configure clients in Project Web Access.  These steps are detailed below. 

[1] Microsoft Office Project Server 2003 Installation Guide, Extranet and Non-Trusted Domain Scenarios, p.121.