Frequently Asked Questions

What is this course about? The integrity of any Windows AD infrastructure relies on the correct and optimal functioning of many different technologies. This course provides the practical skills necessary to install, troubleshoot and secure your Windows Server 2008 AD. In the hands-on exercises, you reinforce your understanding of the concepts through scenario-based activities designed to simulate real-world situations. What background do I need? Course 595, Windows Server® 2003: A Comprehensive Hands-On Introduction, Course 960, Windows Server® 2008: A Comprehensive Hands-On Introduction, or equivalent experience is assumed. Specifically, you should have knowledge of forests, domain controllers, domains, sites and Organisational Units. A basic understanding of LAN/WAN network technologies is also helpful. Who will benefit from this course? Those who support a Windows AD on Windows Server 2008 and those looking to migrate to this operating system, including: system architects, helpdesk, network planners, system administrators, and IT support personnel. Will I really perform a migration/upgrade to Windows Server 2008 AD? Yes! You upgrade a Windows Server 2003 AD to Windows Server 2008 using standard practices and Microsoft tools such as ADPREP and ADMT. As part of the migration procedure, you restructure an AD environment. Will I learn about the new feature set of Windows Server 2008 AD? While this is not exclusively a new features course, Windows Server 2008 brings several improvements to Active Directory that professionals need to know about. These include: RODC, Server Core, ADFS and auditing. This makes the course appropriate for both new and experienced IT professionals. What kinds of hands-on exercises does the course include? Practical hands-on exercises provide experience installing, troubleshooting and securing the Active Directory. Exercises include: Revealing the AD infrastructure with DNS Restructuring the AD with ADMT Troubleshooting domain controller creation Removing superfluous domain and DC objects Correcting Active Directory service failures Configuring a reliable replication topology Creating and managing a RODC Installing domain services on Server Core Establishing AD RMS and ADFS technologies Do classroom exercises simulate real-world situations I may encounter with AD? Yes, the hands-on exercises are carefully designed to simulate real world situations using problems that course authors and instructors have encountered. As a result, you are able to apply the techniques practiced in the workplace. Will I learn about AD disaster recovery? Yes, AD disaster recovery is a key skill for any system administrator. You back up and recover AD in multiple exercises in the course. I'm new to Windows Server. Will I learn the fundamentals of AD? Yes, knowing the fundamentals of AD is key to successfully managing the environment. You learn the necessary building blocks used to create the infrastructure, including: domains, domain controllers, Organisational Units, sites and the Global Catalog, etc. How much time is spent on each topic? Content Hours Windows Server 2008 AD fundamentals 2.5 Deploying a Windows Server 2008 AD 3.0 Creating the Active Directory forest 5.0 Managing Active Directory replication 5.0 Securing the Active Directory 4.0 Enhancing the interoperability of the AD 3.5 Times, including the workshops, are estimates; exact times may vary according to the needs of each class. We are having problems delegating AD administrative tasks. Will this course help me to solve those problems? Delegation of administration in the AD is controlled through object security. The course shows you how to use auditing and other techniques to resolve difficult delegation tasks. Do I learn to monitor network traffic? Yes. Many AD problems occur when the network fails to support the appropriate traffic. This course uses the Microsoft network monitor as a troubleshooting tool to diagnose logon and other failures. I'm an administrator for a small company. Will I benefit from this course? Yes. You learn vital concepts that help you model your computer network and directory infrastructure, whatever its size. Building an Active Directory well adapted to your enterprise from the first day guarantees scalability as your company grows. How does this course relate to other Learning Tree courses? After taking this course, you might be interested in the following: 963, Windows Server® 2008 Group Policy Management: Hands-On  964, Windows Server® 2008 Security Infrastructure: Hands-On  966, Internet Information Services 7 for Windows Server® 2008  951, Deploying Windows Vista®: Hands-On  451, Network Configuration and Troubleshooting: Hands-On  969, Windows PowerShell™ Hands-On: Automating Administrative Tasks  961, Windows Server® 2008 Administration: Hands-On  296, Project Management: Skills for Success  315, Developing User Requirements: The Key to Project Success