The core concepts and technologies you need to administer a
Windows Server OS

Administering a Windows operating system (OS) can be a difficult
topic to grasp, particularly if you are new to the field of IT.
This full-color resource serves as an approachable introduction to
understanding how to install a server, the various roles of a
server, and how server performance and maintenance impacts a
network.

With a special focus placed on the new Microsoft Technology
Associate (MTA) certificate, the straightforward,
easy-to-understand tone is ideal for anyone new to computer
administration looking to enter the IT field. Each chapter offers a
clear and concise look at the core Windows administration concepts
you need to know to gain an understanding of these difficult
topics.

* Offers a clear, no-nonsense approach to administering a Windows
operating system and presents it in such a way that IT beginners
will confidently comprehend the subject matter

* Targets the MTA 98-365 exam by covering Windows Server
installation, server roles, storage, and active directory
infrastructure

* Provides you with a solid foundation of various networking
topics so that you can gain a strong understanding of Windows
Server administration concepts

* Includes review questions and suggested labs to further enhance
your learning process

With this book by your side, you will be armed with the core
concepts and technologies needed to administer a Windows Server
operating system.

Tom Carpenter is the author of several books for the IT
industry, including Sybex's Microsoft SharePoint 2010
Administration: Real-World Skills for MCITP Certification and
Beyond. He is the founder and senior consultant for The Systems
Education Company (SysEdCo), a training and consulting company
specializing in Microsoft and network infrastructure technologies.
Tom has trained the U.S. Department of Defense, the FBI, Procter
& Gamble, Wells Fargo, and several other companies and
organizations on topics ranging from Windows Server administration
to wireless LAN penetration testing.

Administering a Windows operating system (OS) can be a difficult topic to grasp, particularly if you are new to the field of IT. This full-color resource serves as an approachable introduction to understanding how to install a server, the various roles of a server, and how server performance and maintenance impacts a network.

With a special focus placed on the new Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA) certificate, the straightforward, easy-to-understand tone is ideal for anyone new to computer administration looking to enter the IT field. Each chapter offers a clear and concise look at the core Windows administration concepts you need to know to gain an understanding of these difficult topics.

• Offers a clear, no-nonsense approach to administering a Windows operating system and presents it in such a way that IT beginners will confidently comprehend the subject matter
• Targets the MTA 98-365 exam by covering Windows Server installation, server roles, storage, and active directory infrastructure
• Provides you with a solid foundation of various networking topics so that you can gain a strong understanding of Windows Server administration concepts
• Includes review questions and suggested labs to further enhance your learning process

With this book by your side, you will be armed with the core concepts and technologies needed to administer a Windows Server operating system.

Chapter 1 Windows Server Overview 1

Introducing Servers 1

Understanding Server Concepts 1

Understanding Client/Server Concepts 2

Choosing Server Hardware 6

Understanding Server Roles 8

Deploying Applications on Your Network 10

Providing Internet Access and Collaboration on Your Network 11

Managing Files and Printers on Your Network 12

Providing Network Access for Remote Users 12

Adding More Roles as Needed 13

Microsoft Windows Server Features 15

Windows Server User Interfaces 15

Networking Features 18

Management Features 19

Windows Server Editions 20

The Essentials and Beyond 22

Chapter 2 Installing Windows Servers 25

Installation Options 25

Choosing an Installation Destination 26

Performing an Interactive Installation 28

Automating an Installation 36

Understanding Windows Deployment Services 37

Upgrading Servers 38

Supported Upgrade Paths 38

Upgrades Versus Clean Installations 39

Understanding the Upgrade Process 40

Using Server Core 40

Server Core Features and Limitations 41

Performing a Server Core Installation 42

Administering a Server Core Installation 43

Working with Device Drivers 45

Understanding Device Drivers 45

Obtaining and Installing Drivers 46

Driver Maintenance 48

Understanding Hardware Resources 51

The Essentials and Beyond 54

Chapter 3 Managing Windows Server Storage 57

Data Storage Concepts 57

Selecting Hard Drives for Your Network 58

Choosing a File System 60

Understanding Networked Storage 61

Using the Distributed File System 62

Understanding RAID 64

Identifying Storage Technologies 67

Networked Storage Solutions 68

Understanding Disk Types 69

Basic and Dynamic Disks 69

Virtual Hard Disks 71

Optical Media 72

The Essentials and Beyond 72

Chapter 4 Administering Services 75

Understanding Services 75

Applications as Services 76

Important Windows Services 77

Add-On Services 81

Configuring Services 83

Service Startup Types 83

Service Recovery Options 84

Service Privileges 84

Managing Services 85

Starting Services 85

Stopping Services 86

Restarting Services 89

Troubleshooting Services 89

Service Dependencies 90

Service Configuration 91

Understanding Service Accounts 91

The Essentials and Beyond 92

Chapter 5 Active Directory Infrastructure 95

Understanding Active Directory 95

AD Domains 96

AD Domain Trees 99

AD Forests 100

Planning for Active Directory Servers 101

Domain Controllers 101

Supporting Servers 104

Planning a DNS Namespace 105

DNS Overview 105

Namespace Hierarchies 108

Exploring Sites and Replication 110

AD Sites 110

AD Replication 111

The Essentials and Beyond 113

Chapter 6 Configuring Active Directory 115

Planning an Active Directory Installation 115

High-Level Planning 116

Detailed Design 119

Installing Active Directory 123

Preparing to Install DNS 125

Adding the DNS Server Role 127

Configuring the DNS Zone 129

Configuring the IP Settings and Primary DNS Suffix 131

Installing the AD DS Role 135

Running the DCPROMO Wizard 136

The Essentials and Beyond 140

Chapter 7 Managing Active D...