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Windows Server Introduction

Windows Server is Microsoft's enterprise-level operating system designed for business environments and large-scale deployments. This guide provides an overview of Windows Server and its key components.

Overview​

Server Editions​

  1. Standard Edition

    • Basic server functionality
    • Virtualization rights
    • Core networking
    • File and storage

  2. Datacenter Edition

    • Unlimited virtualization
    • Advanced features
    • Software-defined networking
    • Storage spaces direct

Server Roles​

  1. Core Roles

    • Active Directory
    • DNS Server
    • DHCP Server
    • File Services

  2. Application Roles

    • Web Server (IIS)
    • Remote Desktop Services
    • Network Policy Server
    • Windows Server Update Services

Installation​

Prerequisites​

  1. Hardware Requirements

    • Processor architecture
    • Memory requirements
    • Storage space
    • Network adapters

  2. Planning

    • Edition selection
    • Installation type
    • Role planning
    • Network configuration

Installation Options​

  1. Desktop Experience

    • Full GUI interface
    • Management tools
    • Administrative tools
    • User interface

  2. Server Core

    • Minimal interface
    • Command-line tools
    • PowerShell
    • Remote management

Server Management​

Management Tools​

  1. Server Manager

    • Role management
    • Feature installation
    • Server monitoring
    • Configuration

  2. Administrative Tools

    • Event Viewer
    • Services
    • Task Scheduler
    • Performance Monitor

Remote Management​

  1. Remote Tools

    • Remote Desktop
    • Remote Server Administration Tools
    • Windows Admin Center
    • PowerShell remoting

  2. Remote Access

    • Remote Desktop Gateway
    • VPN
    • DirectAccess
    • Always On VPN

Core Services​

Directory Services​

  1. Active Directory

    • Domain Services
    • Certificate Services
    • Federation Services
    • Rights Management

  2. DNS Services

    • Name resolution
    • Zone management
    • Record types
    • Forwarding

File Services​

  1. Storage

    • Disk management
    • Storage pools
    • File shares
    • Permissions

  2. File Server

    • Share management
    • DFS
    • File screening
    • Quotas

Network Services​

DHCP​

  1. IP Management

    • Scope configuration
    • Lease management
    • Reservations
    • Options

  2. DHCP Features

    • Failover
    • Split scopes
    • Policies
    • Filters

Network Policy​

  1. Access Services

    • RADIUS
    • VPN
    • DirectAccess
    • Network Access Protection

  2. Policy Management

    • Connection policies
    • Network policies
    • Health policies
    • Templates

Security​

Windows Security​

  1. Security Features

    • Windows Defender
    • Firewall
    • BitLocker
    • Secure Boot

  2. Security Policies

    • Group Policy
    • Security templates
    • Audit policies
    • Access control

Compliance​

  1. Security Standards

    • Security baselines
    • Compliance tools
    • Best practices
    • Security updates

  2. Monitoring

    • Event logs
    • Security auditing
    • Performance monitoring
    • System health

Maintenance​

Updates​

  1. Windows Update

    • Update management
    • WSUS
    • Deployment
    • Maintenance windows

  2. Patch Management

    • Security patches
    • Feature updates
    • Quality updates
    • Driver updates

Backup​

  1. Backup Solutions

    • Windows Server Backup
    • System state
    • Bare metal recovery
    • Application backup

  2. Recovery Options

    • System restore
    • File recovery
    • Volume recovery
    • Application recovery

Best Practices​

Server Design​

  1. Architecture

    • Role separation
    • Service placement
    • Network design
    • Storage planning

  2. Implementation

    • Security hardening
    • Performance tuning
    • Monitoring setup
    • Documentation

Operations​

  1. Daily Tasks

    • Health monitoring
    • Backup verification
    • Log review
    • Security checks

  2. Maintenance

    • Update management
    • Performance optimization
    • Capacity planning
    • Documentation updates