Managing and maintaining Windows Server 2008 Active Directory Servers (MOC 6432)

Course overview

This 2-day instructor led course provides students with the knowledge and skills to manage and maintain Windows Server 2008 Active Directory servers. The course focuses on the Active Directory server lifecycle by creating baselines, monitoring the system health, and maintaining security for the Active Directory servers. The course also focuses on managing Active Directory Domain Services and Active Directory service roles.

Prerequisites

• 6424 Fundamentals of Windows Server 2008 Active Directory
• 6425 Configuring Windows Server 2008 AD DS
• 6426 Configuring Identity and Access Solutions with Windows Server 2008 Active Directory
• 6430 Managing and Maintaining Windows Server 2008 Servers

Audience

This course is intended for Server Administrators who are familiar with Microsoft Windows Server 2008 and who are, or will be, responsible for the daily management and maintenance of Server 2008 Active Directory servers. It is also intended for IT professionals who could benefit from acquiring the skills required by a Server 2008 Active Directory Server Administrator, such as a Server Administrator who is responsible for Network Application servers and works closely with the Active Directory Server Administrator, or an Enterprise Administrator who wants to understand the operational requirements of Server 2008 Active Directory Servers before designing a network server infrastructure.

Ways to save

Benefits to you

• Plan and identify different approaches to Active Directory server deployment
• Add and remove the Active Directory Domain Services server role
• Identify strategies for developing, monitoring, and reviewing baselines
• Create baselines for different Active Directory roles with the appropriate metrics using the Windows Reliability and Performance Monitor
• Create and evaluate a monitoring plan based on business needs and environments
• Determine the health of Active Directory servers using performance monitoring and event log triggers
• Configure effective alerts and responses as well as evaluate alternative recommendations for Active Directory Domain Services servers to meet a business goa
• Describe and implement the methodology of maintaining Windows Server Active Directory Domain Services
• Perform Active Directory Domain Services maintenance and administrative tasks. • Explain and deploy proven methods to harden the Active Directory servers
• Decide which Server 2008 security features can address a given business situation
• Add server roles to a Windows 2008 network
• Deploy and operate an Active Directory Lightweight Directory Services server role

Course outline

Module 1: Managing an Active Directory Server Lifecycle

Lessons

• Planning an Active Directory Server Deployment
• Active Directory Server Deployment Technologies
• Adding Active Directory Domain Services Server Roles
• Removing Active Directory Services Server Roles

Lab: Managing and Maintaining a Windows Server 2008 Domain Controller

• Evaluating the Need for AD DS Promotion
• Meeting the Active Directory Need by Adding a Role
• Managing a Change Request for a RODC by the Using Command Line
• Developing a Management and Maintenance Plan
• Evaluating the Management and Maintenance Plan

Module 2: Creating Baselines for Active Directory Servers

Lessons

• Methodologies for Implementing Baselines
• Using the Windows Reliability and Performance Monitor to Create Baselines
• Creating Baselines for Active Directory Servers

Lab: Creating Baselines for Active Directory Servers

• Involving Users in Baseline Development
• Choosing Relevant Windows Reliability and Performance Monitor (WRPM) Counters and Durations
• Evaluating and Revisiting a Baseline Document in the Face of Business Changes

Module 3: Monitoring the System Health of the Active Directory Servers

Lessons

• Overview of System Health
• Using Long-Term Monitoring to Identify Trends
• Setting Thresholds and Alerts for Short-Term Monitoring
• Choosing the Appropriate Server 2008 Monitoring Tools

Lab: Monitoring the Active Directory Server Roles

• Setting a Performance Alert to Meet a Business Goal
• Discussing Alert Response Strategies
• Building a Case for Configuration Change

Module 4: Managing Active Directory Domain Services

Lessons

• Restarting and Restoring the Active Directory
• Overview of the Flexible Single Master Operations (FSMO) Roles
• Evaluating Sites and Replication
• Managing Read-Only Domain Controllers (RODCs)
• Methods of Managing the Server Core
• Best Practices for Group Policy Objects and Links
• Delegating the Active Directory Administration

Lab: Managing the Active Directory Domain Services

• Offline Defragging of the NT Directory Service
• Evaluating a RODC with Read-Only DNS Solution
• Making Site Replication Decisions
• Group Policy Link Strategies

Module 5: Maintaining Security for Active Directory Servers

Lessons

• Server Hardening Techniques
• Using the Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer to Discover and Remove Security Holes
• Using Fine-Grained Password Policies to Simply Network Organization
• Planning Security Auditing
• Enhancing Physical Security

Lab: Maintaining Security for the Active Directory Servers

• Manually Implementing AD DS Server Hardening
• Assessing Ongoing Security Requirements
• Deploying Two Fine-Grained Password Policies
• Using AUDITPOL for Auditing

Module 6: Managing Active Directory Service Roles

Lesson

• Using Server 2008 Tools for Certificate Services
• Implementing Lightweight Directory Services
• Overview of Active Directory Federation Services
• Overview of Rights Management Services

Lab: Managing the Active Directory Service Roles

• Installing the AD LDS Role
• Identifying Ongoing Management Concerns
• Using Server 2008 Tools for Managing AD LDS