MCTS Guide to Microsoft Windows Server 20081-1

Active Directory Configuration (Exam # 70-640), Third Edition

Chapter 1

Introducing Windows Server 2008

At a Glance

Instructor’s Manual Table of Contents

  • Overview
  • Objectives
  • Teaching Tips
  • Quick Quizzes
  • Class Discussion Topics
  • Additional Projects
  • Additional Resources
  • Key Terms

Lecture Notes

Overview

Windows Server 2008 is Microsoft’s most ambitious server operating systemupdate since Windows 2000 Server. This new version of Windows Server is chock-full of newtools and features designed to help administrators increase the availability of network serviceswhile limiting security risks. This chapter discusses the editions of Windows Server 2008 and therequirements and uses for each. In addition, your students will learn about the roles a server operating systemplays in a computer network and the many Windows Server 2008 features designed to fill thoseroles.

The primary focus of this book—and, indeed, Windows Server 2008—is the Microsoftdirectory service, Active Directory. Active Directory can be described as a control panel for a

Windows network where user accounts are created, network use policies are defined, and securitypolicies are configured, along with a host of other functions. This chapter introduces your students toActive Directory, as well as other Windows Server 2008 technologies and services.

Chapter Objectives

After reading this chapterand completing the exercises, the student will be able to:

•Explain the function of a server operating system in a network

•Describe the editions of Windows Server 2008

•Discuss the core technologies of Windows Server 2008

•Explain the primary roles a Windows Server 2008 computer can fulfill

•Describe the new and enhanced features of Windows Server 2008

Teaching Tips

The Role of a Server Operating System
  1. Discuss the factors influencing the functions a server provides.
  2. Business type
  3. Business size
  4. Business’s commitment to using technology to aid operations
  1. Emphasize the third factor with the following points:
  1. Note that technology is designed to improve efficiency and effectiveness.
  2. Note that a server is used to provide services a business believes can help its operations.
Server: Hardware or Software?
  1. Explainthe major characteristic that defines a computer machine as a server:
  2. Software is installed on it that provides a network service to client computers.
  1. Point out that with modern operating systems (OSs), desktop and server computer functions are blurred.
  1. Note that desktop OSs can perform server functions such as file and printer sharing and act as a Web server.
  2. Note that a word processor or Web browser may be installed on a server and Windows Server 2008 may be used on a desktop computer.
Server Operating System Versus Desktop Operating System
  1. Explain the differences between Windows Server 2008 and Windows Vista.
  2. Vista emphasizes the user interface, while Windows Server 2008 emphasizes a less resource-intensive user interface.
  3. Vista is performance-tuned to run desktop applications, while Windows Server 2008 is performance-tuned to run background processes.
  4. Windows Vista supports only File and Printer Sharing, Web Server, and FTP Server,while Windows Server 2008 supports many more services.
  5. Windows Vista is restricted to only ten network connections, whereas network connections to a Windows Server 2008 computer are limited only by the number of purchased licenses and available resources.
  6. Windows Server 2008 includes a number of fault-tolerance features.

Teaching
Tip /
Students can learn more about Windows Vista at .
Windows Server 2008 Editions
  1. Introduce the Windows Server 2008 editions.
  2. Windows Server 2008 Standard Edition
  3. Windows Server 2008 Enterprise Edition
  4. Windows Server 2008 Datacenter Edition
  5. Windows Web Server 2008
  1. Note that the editions remain the same as those in Windows Server 2003.
  1. Explain that several editions are needed to support various business organization needs.
  1. Emphasize the important differences in editions for licensing the new Hyper-V feature that comes with Standard, Enterprise, and Datacenter editions.

Teaching
Tip /
Two additional Windows Server 2008 editions were launched on November 12, 2008. Information on Windows Small Business Server 2008 may be found at information regarding Windows Essential Business Server may be located at
Standard Edition
  1. Introduce Windows 2008 Standard Edition as a server suitable for small to medium businesses.
  1. Note that Windows 2008 Standard Edition supports up to four processors.
  1. Explain how Microsoft defines a processor for licensing purposes.
  1. A physical chip or a socket on a motherboard
  1. Describe possible Windows 2008 Standard Edition configurations.
  2. Stand-alone server
  3. Member of a domain
  4. Domain controller
  5. Server Core mode
  1. Describe the availability of Standard Edition 32-bit and 64-bit versions and the RAM considerations for each.
  1. Note that users of the 64-bit Standard Edition can install one virtual instance of Server 2008 Standard Edition with Hyper-V.
Enterprise Edition
  1. IntroduceWindows 2008 Enterprise Edition as a server suitable for medium to large businesses.
  1. Explain the number of processors and RAM supported in the 32-bit and 64-bit editions.
  1. Describe the fault tolerant features available in this addition.
  1. Point out that server clustering is the most notable feature in Enterprise Edition that is not available in Standard Edition.
Datacenter Edition
  1. IntroduceWindows 2008 Datacenter Edition as a server suitable for organizations that manage huge amounts of data, use virtualization on a large scale, consolidate servers, or run high-volume, transaction-heavy applications.
  1. Describe the fault tolerant features available in this addition.
  1. Point out that Datacenter Edition must be purchased through volume licensing agreements or from OEMs that are preinstalled on server hardware.
  1. Note that the number of virtual instances allowed with the 64-bit Datacenter Edition is unlimited.

Teaching
Tip /
Microsoft has released Itanium Edition, designed to run on Intel Itanium processors. More information may be found at
Windows Web Server 2008
  1. Introduce and explain the purpose of Windows Web Server 2008.
  1. Discuss the hardware support available.
  1. Compare and contrast Windows Web Server 2008 features with other Windows Server 2008 Editions.
Comparing Editions
  1. Use Tables 1-1 and 1-2 to summarize the system requirements and to compare features of the various Windows Server 2008 editions.
Activity 1-1: Reviewing System Properties
  1. Allow time for the students to complete the activity.
  1. As a class, discuss student impressions regarding the ease of use and quality of information available from the Windows Server 2008 systems properties screens.
Windows Server 2008 Core Technologies
  1. Explain that before new Windows 2008 Server features can be considered, a review and firm understanding of the technologies forming the foundation of a Windows Server OS are necessary.
  1. Introduce the core technologies.
NTFS
  1. Point out that one of a server’s main jobs is to store a variety of file types and make them available to network users.
  1. Describe New Technology File System (NTFS), noting that it has remained a reliable, flexible, and scalable file system.
  1. Explain the limitations inherent in FAT/FAT32.
  1. Discuss the significance of the NTFS capability of setting user and group permissions on both folders and files.

Teaching

Tip /
Students can learn more about NTFS at
Activity 1-2: Examining NTFS Permissions and Attributes
  1. Allow time for the students to complete the activity.
  1. Refer to Figure 1-1 and as a class, discuss student impressions regarding the ease of use and quality of information available from the various Windows Server 2008 Disk Properties screens.
Active Directory
  1. Emphasize that Active Directory is the foundation of a Windows network environment.
  1. Discuss how Active Directory provides network scalability.
  1. Describe Active Directory’sadministrative features.
  1. Create and manage users and groups, set network-wide user and computer policies, manage security, and organize network resources
  1. Summarize Active Directory’s main purposes and features.
  2. Provides single point of administration of network resources (users, groups, shared printers, shared files, servers, and workstations)
  3. Provides centralized authentication and authorization of users to network resources
  4. Along with DNS, provides domain-naming services and management for a Windows domain
  5. Enables administrators to assign system policies, deploy software to client computers, and assign permissions and rights to users of network resources
Microsoft Management Console
  1. Describe the problem created by a myriad of administration tool interfaces.
  1. Explain how Microsoft attempted to solve it.
  2. Created the Microsoft management console (MMC)
  1. Use Figure 1-2 to illustrate how the MMC is a framework, and by itself is not very useful.
  1. Describe snap-ins and explain their use within the MMC framework.
  1. Use Figure 1-3 to illustrate an MMC with the Disk Management snap-in.
  1. Mention that a number of MMCs are located in the Administrative Tools folder.
Activity 1-3: Using a Prebuilt MMC
  1. Allow time for the students to complete the activity.
  1. As a class, discuss student impressions regarding the types and number of snap-ins they were able to locate.
  1. As a class, discuss the ease of use of the MMC in general and the use of prebuilt MMCs more specifically.
Activity 1-4: Creating a Custom MMC
  1. Allow time for the students to complete the activity.
  1. As a class, discussstudent impressions regarding ease in which a snap-in could beadded.
  2. Ask students to comment on the intuitiveness of the process.
  1. As a class, discuss the ease of use of the MMC in general and the creation of custom MMCs more specifically.
Disk Management
  1. Explain that on Windows Server 2008 computers, disks and volumes are managed with the Disk Management snap-in.
  1. Describe functions that the Disk Management snap-in manages.
  2. Monitors the status of disks and volumes
  3. Initializes new disks
  4. Creates and format new volumes
  5. Troubleshoots disk problems
  1. Emphasize that the Disk Management tool enables an administrator to configure redundant disk configurations (i.e., RAID 1 and RAID 5) volumes.
Activity 1-5: Introducing the Disk Management Snap-in
  1. Allow time for the students to complete the activity.
  1. As a class, discuss student impressions after using the Disk Management Tool to create a FAT32 volume.
  2. Ease of use
  3. Pane layout
  4. Quality of information
  5. Intuitiveness of the process
  1. Remind students that in Vista and Server 2008, the term “volume” is often used when preparing disks for use.
Activity 1-6: Comparing NTFS and FAT32 Volumes
  1. Allow time for the students to complete the activity.
  1. As a class, discuss student impressions after using the Disk Management Tool to compare the features of FAT32 and NTFS volumes.
  2. Ease of use
  3. Pane layout
  4. Quality of information
  5. Intuitiveness of the process
  1. As a class, discussthe advantages of an NTFS volume compared to a FAT volume.
  1. As a class, discuss the reason why FAT and FAT32file systems are supported on Windows systems.

File and Printer Sharing

  1. Explain the most common reason for building a network and installing a server.
  2. Share files, printers, and other resources among several users
  1. Describe Windows Server 2008 file and print sharing features.
  1. Shadow copies, diskquotas, and the Distributed File System (DFS)

Activity 1-7: Sharing a Folder in Windows Server 2008

  1. Allow time for the students to complete the activity.
  1. Refer to Figure 1-4 and as a class, discuss student impressions of the information provided in the Network and Sharing Center.
  1. Refer to Figure 1-5 and as a class, discuss student impressions of the convenience and ease in which a file may be shared on a Windows Server 2008 network.

Windows Networking Concepts

  1. Explain that in a Windows network environment, computers can be configured to participate in one of two network security models: workgroup or domain.
  2. Define the workgroup model, noting the advantages.
  1. Discuss the domain model, emphasizing the following points.

a.Note that the domain model requires at least one computer configured as a domain controller running a Windows Server OS.

b.Explain the domain controller or member server rolesthat a computer running a Windows Server OS can occupy.

Windows Networking Components

  1. Introduce the hardware and software components every OS needs to participate on a network.

a.A network interface

b.A network protocol

c.A network client or network server software

  1. Describe the two parts of a network interface

a.The network interface card (NIC) hardware

b.The device driver software

  1. Use Figure 1-6 to illustrate where the network interface is configured in Windows Server 2008.
  1. Use Figure 1-7 to illustrate the Properties Dialog box of a network connection.
  1. Define and explain a network protocol.
  1. Point out that most administrators need to work with only TCP/IPv4.
  1. Use Figure 1-7 to illustrate that TCP/IPv6 is currently being installed by default on Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008, and some Linux systems.
  1. Explain that Windows systems have both network client software and network server software installed.
  1. Define and describe the purpose of a network client.
  1. Define and describe the purpose of a network server.

Activity 1-8: Exploring Windows Networking Components

  1. Allow time for the students to complete the activity.
  1. Refer to Figure 1-8 and as a class, discussstudent impressions of the information displayed in the full map view.
  1. Refer to Figure 1-9 and as a class, discuss student impressions of the quality on quantity of information the Windows networking components provide.

Internet Information Services

  1. Explain how Windows Server 2008 provides IIS 7.0 for building both public Web servers and private intranet servers.
  1. Point out that IIS is not installed by default; it must be explicitly installed.
  1. Use Figure 1-10 to illustrate the MMC called Internet Information Services (IIS) Manager.
  1. Describe the three areas where Microsoft has improved IIS 7.0.

a.Modular design

b.Extensibility

c.Manageability

Teaching

Tip /
Students can learn more about IIS 7.0 and Windows server 2008 at

Quick Quiz 1

  1. Which Windows 2008 Server edition is geared towards medium to large businesses?
  2. Datacenter
  3. Enterprise
  4. Web server
  5. Standard

Answer: B

  1. What is consideredto be the most important feature of NTFS?
  2. Compression
  3. Support for long file names
  4. Capability to set user and group permissions on both files and folders
  5. Reliability

Answer: C

  1. Which component is the foundation of a Windows network environment?
  2. Microsoft Management Console
  3. NTFS
  4. File and Print sharing
  5. Active Directory

Answer: D

  1. True or False: The domain model is preferred for a computer network that has more than ten computers or requires centralized security and resource management.
    Answer: True
  1. A(n)____ is the part of the OS that sends requests to a server to access network resources.

Answer: network client

Windows Server 2008 Roles
  1. Define and explain a server role.
  1. Point out that role services add functions to the main role.
  1. Note that server features may be added to provide functions that enhance or support an installed role or add a stand-alone feature.
  1. Mention that a server can be configured with a single role or several roles.

Active Directory Certificate Services

  1. Describe the services provided by the Active Directory Certificate Services (AD CS) role:
  2. Creating, issuing, and managing digital certificates that users and computers can use to provide verification of their identities when engaging in secure transactions over a network
  1. Note that when this role is installed, a number of role services can also be deployed for managing certificates.
  1. Mention that Chapter 11 covers the Active Directory Certificate Services role in more detail.

Teaching

Tip /
Students can learn more about Active Directory Certificate Servicesat

Active Directory Domain Services

  1. Mention that the Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS) role installs Active Directory and turns a Windows Server 2008 computer into a domain controller.
  1. Describe the purpose of the AD DS.
  2. Provides authentication and authorization to users and computers in a Windows domain environment
  1. Describe how AD DS stores information.
  1. Define and discuss a key new feature of AD DS in Windows Server 2008 known as the read only domain controller (RODC).

Other Active Directory Related Roles

  1. Introduce three additional service roles related to Active Directory.
  2. Active Directory Federation Services (AD FS)
  3. Active Directory Lightweight Directory Services (AD LDS)
  4. Active Directory Rights Management Services (AD RMS)
  1. Note that these additional roles are updated significantly from previous releases of Windows Server and will be covered later in the chapter.

Application Server

  1. Introduce the Application Server role and describe its use.
  1. Note that applications depending on this role are usually built with other technologies such as:
  2. IIS, ASP.NET, the Microsoft .NET Framework, COM+, and Message Queuing
  1. Point out that this book does not cover the Application Server role and provide a source of more information such as the following:
  2. MCTS Guide to Configuring Microsoft Windows Server 2008 Application Infrastructure (Course Technology, 2008)

DHCP Server

  1. Introduce the DHCP Server role and describe its use.
  1. Discuss that the major enhancement to the DHCP Server role in Windows Server 2008 is that it supports IPv6.
  1. Provide a source for more information:
  2. MCTS Guide to Configuring Microsoft Windows Server 2008 Application Infrastructure (Course Technology, 2008)

DNS Server

  1. Introduce the DNS Server role and describe its use.
  1. Point out that the DNS Server role can be tightly integratedwith Active Directory.
  1. Mention that Chapter 9 covers the DNS Server rolein depth.

Teaching

Tip /
Students can learn more about DNS Server at

Fax Server

  1. Introduce the Fax Server role and describe its use.

File Services

  1. Introduce the File Services role and describe its use.
  1. Point out that after this role is installed, the File Server role service is installed automatically.
  1. Use Figure 1-11 to illustrate Server Manager and a detailed look at the role services available when you install the File Services role.
  1. Mention that the File Services role is covered in more depth in “Storage Management Enhancements” later in this chapter, as well as in Chapter 6.

Hyper-V