Course Windows Server Fundamentals - korachi-9090/wiki GitHub Wiki
Course: Windows Server Fundamentals
This course provides a comprehensive introduction to Windows Server administration, focusing on core services and management techniques essential for enterprise environments. Students will build, configure, and manage a complete Windows Server infrastructure including Active Directory Domain Services, DNS, DHCP, and Group Policy.
Course Overview
Course Code: CIS 210
Credits: 5
Format: 40% Lecture / 60% Lab-Based
Duration: 10 Weeks
Primary Lab: Build a complete Active Directory domain with multiple services and client computers
This hands-on course focuses on building practical Windows Server administration skills through extensive lab work. Students will install and configure Windows Server in various roles, manage directory services, implement network services, and apply security controls in a virtual environment that simulates real-world enterprise scenarios.
Course Modules
- Windows Server Installation
- Active Directory Basics
- DNS and DHCP Services
- Group Policy Management
- Windows Server Security
Weekly Breakdown
Week 1: Introduction to Windows Server Environment
- Windows Server editions and roles
- Server Core vs. Desktop Experience
- Server virtualization concepts
- Initial server setup and configuration
- Lab: Installing Windows Server 2019
Week 2: Server Roles and Features
- Windows Server role-based architecture
- Installing and removing server roles
- Server Manager fundamentals
- PowerShell basics for server administration
- Lab: Configuring Server Roles and Features
Week 3: Active Directory Domain Services
- Active Directory concepts and architecture
- Forest and domain design
- Domain controller promotion process
- Organizational Unit structure planning
- Lab: Configuring Active Directory Domain Controller
Week 4: User and Group Management
- User account types and properties
- Security group types and best practices
- Group nesting and inheritance
- Delegation of administrative control
- Lab: Managing Users, Groups, and OUs
Week 5: DHCP Server Configuration
- DHCP scope design and planning
- IP address assignment strategies
- DHCP reservations and options
- DHCP authorization and redundancy
- Lab: Implementing DHCP Services
Week 6: DNS Server Configuration
- DNS role in Active Directory
- Zone types and replication
- Forward and reverse lookup zones
- DNS record types and troubleshooting
- Lab: Configuring DNS Services
Week 7: Client Domain Join
- Windows client preparation
- Domain join process
- User profile types and management
- Client connectivity troubleshooting
- Lab: Joining Clients to Domain
Week 8: Group Policy Management
- Group Policy architecture
- GPO creation and linking
- Policy inheritance and precedence
- Security filtering and WMI filtering
- Lab: Creating and Applying Group Policies
Week 9: Server Monitoring and Security
- Windows Server security baselines
- Event Viewer and log monitoring
- Windows Defender for servers
- Update management strategies
- Lab: Implementing Windows Security Policies
Week 10: Final Project and Review
- Integration of server technologies
- Enterprise network design principles
- Documentation best practices
- Lab: Building a Complete Windows Domain Infrastructure
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, you will be able to:
- Install and configure Windows Server 2019 in a virtual environment
- Set up and manage Active Directory domains and organizational units (OUs)
- Create and manage user accounts, groups, and security permissions
- Configure and troubleshoot DNS and DHCP services
- Join client computers to a Windows domain
- Implement and manage Group Policy Objects (GPOs)
- Monitor system performance and manage server updates
- Apply security best practices to Windows Server environments
- Document Windows Server deployments and configurations
- Design basic enterprise Windows infrastructure solutions
Key Terms
- Active Directory - Microsoft's directory service for Windows domain networks
- Domain Controller - Server that manages authentication in a Windows domain
- DNS - Domain Name System for name resolution
- DHCP - Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol for IP address assignment
- Group Policy - Windows feature for controlling user and computer environments
- Organizational Unit - Container in Active Directory for organizing objects
- Forest and Domain - Active Directory hierarchical structure
- Security Group - Container for user and computer access permissions
- SID - Security Identifier uniquely identifying security principals
- FSMO Roles - Flexible Single Master Operation roles in Active Directory
Lab Exercises
- Installing Windows Server
- Configuring Server Roles
- Configuring Active Directory Domain Controller
- Managing Users, Groups, and OUs
- Implementing DHCP Services
- Configuring DNS Services
- Joining Clients to Domain
- Creating and Applying Group Policies
- Implementing Windows Security Policies
- Building Windows Domain Infrastructure
Required Tools
- Windows Server 2019 ISO (provided)
- Windows 10 client ISO (provided)
- Hyper-V, VMware, or VirtualBox for virtualization
- Server configuration worksheets (provided)
- Microsoft Remote Server Administration Tools (RSAT)
Assessment Components
- Weekly Labs & Quizzes (35%)
- Midterm Practical Exam (20%)
- Final Project - Domain Network Deployment (30%)
- Participation & Attendance (15%)
Certification Alignment
This course provides foundational knowledge for Microsoft certifications including:
- Legacy MCSA/MCSE Windows Server certifications
- Microsoft 365 Certified: Modern Desktop Administrator Associate
- Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate (partial preparation)
Additional Resources
- Windows Server Admin Guide
- Active Directory Best Practices
- Group Policy Reference
- Windows Server Security Checklist
- Microsoft Documentation Portal
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