I. Introducing Windows Server 2003

Windows Server 2003 is Microsoft’s best operating system to date. In addition to new features only found in Windows 2003, each of the 2003 servers has different capacities and limitations. New to the server family is the Web Server Edition which has promise in specific circumstances. In this section we’ll review the capacities and limitations of each server model, introduce some of the new features, as well as name features that you should avoid for a while.

1. Servers and capacities
2. New features and capabilities
3. Features exclusive to enterprise
4. Limitations of the Web Edition – there are some things this version cannot do!
5. Features NOT ready for prime time – despite the documentation, there are some features that are not as fully developed as we would like
   
   

II. Installation and Upgrades

This section will cover in detail the issues and mechanics of upgrading and migrating to a Windows Server 2003. How effective is the new RIS deployment? Have unattended installations changed? How can hot fixes and service packs be installed automatically during the operating system installation? These and other questions will be answered and demonstrated.

1. In-place upgrades vs. migrations (clean installations)
2. Reports from the field: how are in place upgrades working?
3. Hardware compatibility checklist
4. Application compatibility: the overlooked road bump
5. Using the Application Compatibility Toolkit and Windows Catalog (Veritest)
6. Check system compatibility with depromo
7. Detailed instructions on how to do an automated installation including field reports on using RIS for server images
8. Troubleshooting installations
9. How to patch before infections
   
   

III. Planning and Implementing Active Directory

Windows Server 2003 implements the next generation of Microsoft’s Active Directory that provides improved management tools and scalability. We’ll review changes in Windows Server 2003 implementation of Active Directory as well as how to design, configure and deploy Windows Server 2003 Domain Controller in your existing configuration. Important suggestions are provided along the way based on real world rollouts. Learn how to install hot fixes and service packs automatically during installation

1. Improvements in Active Directory and Windows Server 2003
2. Active Directory foundations
3. Exploring new possibilities with Active Directory including Cross Forest Trusts and the impacts of Universal Group Caching
4. Remaining a DC: possible but potentially problematic
5. Implementing Windows Server 2003 Domain Controllers in mixed networks
6. Which servers to promote first?
7. Restoring from media: a new way to create a DC
8. Reversing a failed promotion
9. Using the new Active Directory migration tool to transfer users to a Windows Server 2003 domain
   
   

IV. Active Directory and Server Administration

Managing Active Directory requires an understanding of Active Directory operations and the right tools, both of which will be covered in this section. You’ll see how to manage users, groups and computers, as well as locate the FSMO role holders in the network.

1. Customizing the location of the administrative tools folder
2. Installing the administrative tools on XP
3. Active directory users and computers console features
4. Groups: global, local and universal
5. Computer objects
6. Schema updates and modifications
7. Backing up AD (system state)
8. Locating FSMO role holder
9. Using Replmon to manage replication
10. Using DcDiag for troubleshooting
    
    

V. Managing Group Policy

Group Policy is one of the most often cited reasons for deploying Active Directory. Windows Server 2003 has many new policies and sports a much improved management console (which is NOT on the installation CD!). You’ll see how group policies can be used to control the user’s environment as well as how to configure and manage Group Policy on a Window Server 2003 or from an XP SP1 client.

1. Introduction to Group Policy
   
2. New policies in Windows Server 2003
   
3. Installing the latest version of the Group Policy Management Console (it’s not on the CD!)
   
4. Backup and Recovery of Group Policies Discover the real power of the Active Directory and how to maximize its potential
   
5. Reporting on GPO configuration
   
6. Linking GPOs to a site, domain or OU
   
7. Controlling the scope of GPOs with permissions, blocking and WMI filters
   
8. Using Resultant set of Policy
   
9. Deploying software with Group Policy
   
   

VI. Hardening Windows Server 2003: Important Security Improvements

Microsoft has a new attitude about security and it shows in Windows Server 2003. There are many security improvements including some“borrowed” from XP like the Internet Connection Firewall. You’ll find out about the most significant of these improvements as well as some completely new features.

1. A look at how the“defaults” for Windows Server 2003 are more secure than previous versions
   
2. Passwords are passé: the latest thinking about secure passwords
   
3. The new Internet Explorer’s enhanced security configuration
   
4. SMB Signing: benefits and potential problems
   
5. Hardening TCP/IP: recommended registry and interface settings
   
6. Reducing exposure to network sniffing by removing NTLM and LM
   
7. Strengthening authentication with NTLMv2: why you care and what problems you encounter
   
8. The new Network Configuration Operator group – when and why to use it
   
9. Using the Internet Connection Firewall and important changes found in SP1 that extend the ICF capabilities
   
10. Securing communications between servers with IPSec
    
11. Encrypted Files System: important changes in EFS
    
12. How to implement Software Update Services to keep your network fully patched
    
    

VII. Internet Information Services 6.0

Most organizations make good use of web servers both internally and externally. IIS 6.0 is radically overhauled and improved. The focus of this section is to review the improvements in IIS 6.0 and show you how to deploy a secure intranet IIS server that you can use for team collaboration in 60 seconds.

1. Review of the BIG improvements in IIS 6.0
2. How to create an Intranet in 60 seconds
3. IIS 6.0 security improvements: is it really better than IIS 5?
4. SharePoint Team Services: important tools for team collaboration
5. Migrating websites using the IIS 6.0 Migration Tool Take advantage of the important new security features in 2003 Server
   
   

VIII. Important Tips and Tools

Ongoing support and use of Windows Server 2003 can be a lot easier when you have some great tools in your toolkit. In this section we review some of the most essential tools and tips as well as important upcoming changes in Service Pack 1.

1. Remote administration of Windows Server 2003 with remote desktop
2. Installing the Remote Desktop Client on other systems
3. SP1 – important changes and updates
4. The amazing Log Parser tool