ck.'s questions

If I have a Windows service with a config file that points to web services it needs to call, is it more secure to put a fake DNS name for the server being connected to, then update the HOSTS file to redirect outbound calls to the right IP address?

I need to set Application Host webLimits for my site, however I have two applications running under one site and they both need different settings.

e.g.

Server
   +- Root Site      - Site 1 - Settings 1 below
      -- page
      -- page
      +- Admin site  - Site 2 - Settings 2 below
         -- page

Settings 1

<configuration>
   <system.applicationHost>
      <webLimits connectionTimeout="00:01:00"
         headerWaitTimeout="00:00:30"
         minBytesPerSecond="500"
      />
   </system.applicationHost>
</configuration>

Settings 2

<configuration>
   <system.applicationHost>
      <webLimits connectionTimeout="00:01:00"
         headerWaitTimeout="00:05:00"
         minBytesPerSecond="5000"
      />
   </system.applicationHost>
</configuration>

As I understand it, the settings are at a server level - is there any way I can link them to a specific application, or application pool?

We have a publicly available web server (although IP restricted, usernames / passwords etc) that we need to be able to present reports through. Our report server is located at a different site, so we need to be able to open ports for this.

Our initial consideration is to move the reportserver virtual directory from port 80 to a different port - any recommendations?

Also, as reporting services uses Windows authentication, what is the best way for the server to securely authenticate for this application only?

Thanks.

I'm asking this questiona specifically about the above machine, but I guess the answer could be generic across a lot of different applciations.

I have one of the above machines with a WD Blue 500GB drive (not the colour, the model..).

I want to use RAID 0, so am looking at getting another 500GB drive. If I bought the black edition with a 32MB cahche as opposed to the 16MB in the blue, would I have any problems, or would I get any gains?

I know this probably belongs on superuser, but its in beta and this could apply to someone building a server....