Administering Windows Server 2012 (70-411)

Overview of Windows Server 2012 R2

This section gives the information about MCSA Windows Server 2012 (70-411). The MCSA: Windows Server 2012 covers topics that are responsible for deploying, maintaining and supporting Windows Server 2012 servers in a corporate or enterprise environment. It explains Server systems form a critical piece of the day-to-day operations for any business.

Deploy and Manage WDS

This section takes a look at Windows Deployment Services. It demonstrate installing the WDS role and configuring install and boot images.

Configuring WSUS

This section explain some of the features and functionality of Microsoft’s patch management system and Windows Server Update Service(WSUS). It talks about installing and configuring the WSUS role. It demonstrates how to add the role and configure the service based on best practices so that only required updates gets downloaded and installed to the clients.

Monitoring Servers

This section discusses remotely managing Windows servers. It demonstrate how to aggregate event logs as well as utilize other monitoring tools for troubleshooting and monitoring purposes.

Driver Groups and Packages

This section demonstrates how to upload driver packages into Windows Deployment Services (WDS). It also shows how to use groups and filters to restrict what drivers apply to what hardware.

Patch Management in Mixed Environments

This section demonstrates using Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) to manage updates in an environment where multiple operating systems are in use.

Performance Monitor

This section explore the Performance Monitor system built into the Windows Server 2012 R2 operating system. It show how to configure Data Collector Sets as well as Alerts. It also explain you how to perform real-time monitoring of performance, as well as monitoring virtual machines and system events.

Distributed File System

This section demonstrate how to install and configure Distributed File System (DFS). It covers advanced functionality as well as how DFS can improve redundancy and reliability for corporate file servers.

File Server Resource Manager

This section explains File Server Resource Manager(FSRM) in Windows Server 2012 R2. It covers FSRM roles, features and quota management. It demonstrates how to set disk quotas and how to make sure that disk space is being protected from over utilization.

File and Disk Encryption

This section describes file encryption types in Windows Server 2012 and management concerns in an enterprise environment. It also demonstrates how to configure BitLocker on a Windows Server and shows off the new BitLocker Network Unlock feature.

EFS and Audit Policies

This section discusses backing up a certificate private key and setting up a data recovery agent in a domain environment. It explores audit policies and several different methods for configuring as local policy, AuditPol.exe and domain-based group policy.

Configure DNS Zones

This section takes a look at DNS zones inside a Microsoft Active Directory Domain. It explains how to configure the traditional Primary and Secondary zones. It covers the advantages of using an Active Directory Integrated zone and the security features.

Configure DNS Records

This section explains how to configure the different resource records in DNS on a Windows Server 2012 server. It covers common DNS resource records like A and AAAA records, as well as CNAME, PTR, and SOA. It also discusses SRV records, zone scavenging, and setting the record Time-to-Live for the client cache.

Configure VPN and Routing

This section takes a look at installing and configuring the Remote Access role in Windows Server 2012 R2. It demonstrate how to implement basic routing, Network Address Translation (NAT) and how to allow and deny remote users from connecting to the VPN.

Configuring Direct Access

This section takes a look at the roles and components required for implementing DirectAccess and its use. It also demonstrate configuring DNS and certificates as well as testing settings by connecting a remote client machine.

NPS and NAP

This section discusses two methods for preventing undesired machines from accessing your network. It covers Network Policy Server (NPS) and describes how it can be used to filter incoming dial-up and VPN connections.

Operation Master Roles

This section describe the Operation Master Roles available to a Windows Server 2012 R2 server in an Active Directory Domain. It covers roles such as Schema Master, Domain Naming Master, Relative Identifier(RID) Master, Primary Domain Controller(PDC) Emulator and Infrastructure Master.

Read Only Domain Controllers

This section shows you how to install and configure a Read-Only Domain Controller(RDOC) in a Microsoft Active Directory Domain.

Configure Account Policies

This section covers configuring account policies in Active Directory Users and Computers. It demonstrates how to configure both domain and local user password policy settings. It also explains things like minimum/maximum password age, history, and complexity requirements.

Group Policy Processing

This section describe the Group Policy Processing order and precedences. It covers how to properly configure and deploy group policies. It also explain and configure inheritance blocking and policy enforcement.

Group Policy Settings

This section explains how to configure Group Policy in Windows Server 2012 R2. It covers how to access the Group Policy Management Editor and how to configure Group Policy Object(GPO) settings such as software installation, folder redirection, scripts, and administrative template settings.

Group Policy Objects

This section explores management and best practices concerning Group Policy Objects. It explains how to perform administrative tasks like backing up, importing, copying, and restoring GPOs. It shows how to create and configure a Migration table and resetting default GPOs. It also covers delegating management of Group Policy to share the administrative load with other trusted users.

Group Policy Preferences

This section explains and configure Group Policy Preferences. It covers the difference between Group Policy Objects, Group Policies, and Group Policy Preferences. It shows how to use Group Policy Preferences to configure settings for printers, network drives, power options, Internet Explorer, and others.