Microsoft Windows Server Course

Lesson 1 • Windows Server Editions and Licensing

Covers Standard, Datacenter, and Essentials editions with feature differences and licensing models. Establishes the baseline for all deployment decisions in this chapter.

Lesson 2 • Server Roles and Features Framework

Introduces the role-based model, Server Manager, and feature dependencies. Students gain the vocabulary needed to plan and configure server workloads.

Lesson 3 • Windows Server Architecture Overview

Explains kernel mode, user mode, HAL, and the Windows Server service model. Provides the conceptual framework for understanding system behaviour throughout the course.

Lesson 1 • Windows Deployment Services Basics

Introduces WDS for network-based OS deployment across multiple machines. Connects automated deployment to scalable infrastructure management.

Lesson 2 • Activation and Licensing Management

Explains KMS, MAK, and ADBA activation methods and volume licensing tools. Ensures compliance and uninterrupted server operation in enterprise environments.

Lesson 3 • Installation Methods and Media Preparation

Covers GUI, Server Core, and Nano Server installation paths along with bootable media creation. Sets the stage for all configuration tasks that follow.

Lesson 4 • Server Core Administration Techniques

Teaches command-line and PowerShell management of Server Core installations. Reinforces the minimal-footprint approach central to modern server deployments.

Lesson 1 • Managing Users, Groups, and OUs

Teaches creation, modification, and delegation of user accounts, security groups, and OUs. Directly enables role-based access control across the domain.

Lesson 2 • AD DS Maintenance and Backup

Addresses tombstone lifetime, AD recycle bin, authoritative restore, and SYSVOL replication health. Ensures directory continuity and rapid recovery from accidental deletions.

Lesson 3 • Group Policy Objects and Management

Covers GPO creation, linking, filtering, and troubleshooting with GPMC and Resultant Set of Policy. Enables centralised configuration enforcement across all domain computers.

Lesson 4 • AD DS Concepts and Forest Design

Explains forests, domains, trees, sites, and trust relationships as logical and physical AD structures. Provides the design vocabulary required for all AD configuration tasks.

Lesson 1 • IPAM for Address Space Management

Introduces IP Address Management role for centralised DHCP and DNS monitoring. Extends manual IP management to enterprise-scale visibility and auditing.

Lesson 2 • DNS Record Management and Resolution

Teaches A, AAAA, CNAME, MX, PTR, and SRV record creation and troubleshooting. Connects accurate DNS records to successful service discovery and client connectivity.

Lesson 3 • DHCP Server Deployment and Management

Covers scope creation, exclusions, reservations, options, and failover configuration. Provides reliable IP address management for all networked clients and servers.

Lesson 1 • Distributed File System Namespaces and Replication

Teaches DFS-N namespace design and DFS-R replication group configuration for high availability. Enables geographically distributed file access with automatic failover.

Lesson 2 • File Server Resource Manager

Explains quota templates, file screening, storage reports, and classification rules in FSRM. Provides automated policy enforcement over file server capacity and content.

Lesson 3 • Data Deduplication and Backup Integration

Configures deduplication policies, schedules, and savings reporting for general and VDI workloads. Reduces storage consumption while maintaining data integrity for backup workflows.

Lesson 4 • SMB File Shares and Permissions

Covers share creation, SMB encryption, share permissions, and NTFS permission layering. Establishes secure, accessible file storage as the foundation of this chapter.

Lesson 1 • Live Migration and High Availability

Configures live migration, storage migration, and Hyper-V clustering for VM failover. Delivers continuous VM availability across host failures and maintenance windows.

Lesson 2 • Checkpoints, Snapshots, and VM Export

Covers standard and production checkpoints, checkpoint trees, and VM export/import workflows. Enables safe testing and portability of virtual machine workloads.

Lesson 3 • Virtual Networking and Switch Types

Explains external, internal, and private virtual switches and NIC teaming for VMs. Connects virtual machines to physical networks and isolates workloads as needed.

Lesson 4 • Hyper-V Role Installation and Host Configuration

Covers enabling Hyper-V, BIOS virtualization settings, and host resource allocation. Prepares the physical host for all virtual machine workloads in this chapter.

Lesson 1 • Windows Server Security Baselines

Applies Microsoft Security Compliance Toolkit baselines and auditing policies to reduce attack surface. Establishes the security foundation for all hardening tasks in this chapter.

Lesson 2 • BitLocker and Encrypted File System

Configures BitLocker with TPM, PIN, and network unlock for server drives and EFS for file-level encryption. Protects data at rest against physical theft and unauthorised access.

Lesson 3 • Active Directory Certificate Services

Covers root CA, subordinate CA, certificate templates, and auto-enrollment configuration. Provides the PKI infrastructure required for encrypted communications and smart card authentication.

Lesson 4 • Windows Firewall and Advanced Security

Configures inbound and outbound rules, connection security rules, and IPsec policies. Enforces network-layer access control aligned with server roles and security zones.

Lesson 1 • Windows Server Backup and Recovery

Covers Windows Server Backup, bare-metal recovery, and system state backup and restore. Ensures servers can be recovered to a known-good state after hardware or software failure.

Lesson 2 • Failover Clustering and High Availability

Configures Windows Server Failover Clustering, quorum models, and cluster-aware updating. Delivers automatic workload failover and rolling patch cycles with minimal downtime.

Lesson 3 • Patch Management and Update Strategies

Implements WSUS, update approval workflows, and maintenance window scheduling for servers. Balances security currency with production stability through structured update governance.

Lesson 4 • Performance Monitoring and Baselines

Uses Performance Monitor, Data Collector Sets, and Resource Monitor to establish and track baselines. Provides the measurement framework for all tuning decisions in this chapter.