Windows Server 2003 Question

[Nocturnal]

Through the MSDNAA I have a copy/license of Windows 2003 Server Ent. Edition. I installed in onto a spare box I have here. I am interested in learning more about the server environment. I definitely want to have experience with this so that I can put it on my resume. I would like to know, if you'd be so kind as to share with me, what are some great things to do with this box? I have already run the wizard to set it up as both a DNS server as well as a Domain Controller with Active Directory.

I haven't added any users yet. I created a new forrest.

Can anyone give me some tips on what I should do next? I'm mainly concerned with learning the ins and outs of this beast of an operating system.

 

[nweaver]

that is like saying "I have a car and a set of rachets, what can I do with it? I want to learn to work on my car for my resume"

You really need to decide what you would like to focus on, build a set of specific goals, and move toward that end. Also, it is my nsho that learning concepts is TONS better then learning a specific product. For example, if someone understands the concepts of directory services, then they can take the understanding, and quickly/easily apply it to Novell's NDS, Microsoft's AD, OpenLDAP, etc. Same goes for almost everything related to networks/servers.

Pick something, and start there
If you want to get an insight into domain administration, I would start by learning a few directory concepts, and then delving into how MS implements things. Set a goal to have a domain with nonstandard GPO's applied to different containers. Learn about importing objects into AD.
If you want to understand DNS, learn the background, the figure out how to make new zones, records, etc.

 

[2canSAM]

Originally posted by: nweaver
that is like saying "I have a car and a set of rachets, what can I do with it? I want to learn to work on my car for my resume"

You really need to decide what you would like to focus on, build a set of specific goals, and move toward that end. Also, it is my nsho that learning concepts is TONS better then learning a specific product. For example, if someone understands the concepts of directory services, then they can take the understanding, and quickly/easily apply it to Novell's NDS, Microsoft's AD, OpenLDAP, etc. Same goes for almost everything related to networks/servers.

Pick something, and start there
If you want to get an insight into domain administration, I would start by learning a few directory concepts, and then delving into how MS implements things. Set a goal to have a domain with nonstandard GPO's applied to different containers. Learn about importing objects into AD.
If you want to understand DNS, learn the background, the figure out how to make new zones, records, etc.

Right on the money here. Learn concepts before learning the specific products. This will also allow you to see what areas you like the best and then you can focus on those. I learned Windows Server cause I figured that would be the easiest to learn and I knew alot about it already. We just implemented an IBM Unix server here at work last year and I have had a Ton O' fun on it but it was hard coming from windows only side. Had I understood the concepts better the transistion would have been alot easier. As a side not though I found THIS BOOK invaluable. It is an easy read and gives alot of detail.