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I'd like to learn Windows Servers... how should I design my test lab?

Answered I'd like to learn Windows Servers... how should I design my test lab?

  • Saturday, January 05, 2013 9:12 PM
     
     
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    Good afternoon...  I realize this is a pretty broad question.  I have been doing end user desktop break fix for quite awhile now and I would like to learn Windows servers and administration. 

    I'm interested in learning everything from Active Directory, group policy, basic file sharing setup such as public, group, and home directories to exchange and sql, as well as full vs. core installations and when is an appropriate time for each.

    I have been an action pack subscriber since the 2003 era so I have quite a bit of software available to use in my test lab and would like a little exposure to the common platforms in the small business area.

    Would anyone offer any guidance how to design this based on best practices as well as what I'm allowed to do with my action pack in terms of licensing.  I'm open to testing for certifications as well if anyone wants to make suggestions on that.

    Here is what I'm thinking about trying to do in a virtual environment for my test lab.  (Virtual server w/ 8GB of RAM and 320 GB of storage)

    1st server - 2008 R2 Core for DC.

    2nd server - 2012 standard - backup DC, terminal server, file server for public, groups, and home directories, dns, and dhcp

    Potential 3rd and/or 4th servers for exchange and/or sql (Not sure which versions I should try to learn)

    Again, I have no idea if I'm on the right track in terms of best practices or action pack licensing, or even how many servers I can make before my virtual environment bogs down.  Also the action pack seems to have different versions of each platform (2012 essentials, 2012 foundation, 2012 standard) What would you recommend?

    I do realize I have alot of learning ahead of me.  Thanks in advance to any who contribute!

     

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  • Saturday, January 05, 2013 9:26 PM
     
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    the enthusiasm is appreciable ..about the learning..

    you can find a lot of materials it self on Microsoft MSDN, you can find step by step articles, training videos, blogs etc.

    the best way to practice is start learning a basic concepts of networking typologies,  protocol, basic network and security fundamentals, then you go for the Work group network, then  Domain Network, then in Domain AD FSMO roles, DNS, DHCP  get good command on it 

    then go for exchange--

    SQL

    etc...

    for latest products training you can get lot of material videos step by step articles on www.microsoftvirtualacademy.com log in and register for free...

    time to time if you have any questions the tech net forum is always there to help you.

    all the best

     
  • Sunday, January 06, 2013 12:03 AM
     
     
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    Thank you for the info... I'll check it out.

    Best

     
  • Sunday, January 06, 2013 5:55 AM
     
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    check this out 

    http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/default.aspx

    http://www.arabitpro.com