Pro-Server – 7/31/2006

Tonight we covered various ways to connect to remote systems, which is what you’ll be doing in the real world. Some various methods we looked at were MMC (which we’ll be doing a lot in class), Terminal Services Manager, and my personal favorite, Remote Desktop. We didn’t cover Chapter 3, as it was a repeat of the Pro Chapter 16, but you will still be responsible for it on the test on Monday!

Homework:

• Chapter 2: Review Questions
• Chapter 3: Review Questions

Designing Network Infrastructure – 7/31/2007

Figuring out where we’re putting domain controllers, global catalog servers and bridgehead servers was the name of the game today, and to do that, we used an old Windows 2000 tool (which still works for Windows 2003) called the ADSizer. Following a simple interview process, Windows predicts which sites are going to need which servers. It’s pretty neat, really.

Homework:

• Chapter Six: Review Questions; Scenario 6.1

Managing a Windows Network – 7/24/2007

This morning we covered two brief chapters: Chapters 7 and 8, which dealt with IIS and SUS respectively. IIS is the component that allows for our servers to function as web servers, ftp servers, etc. Remember that in Server 2003, that IIS is not installed by default (as to reduce the attack surface), but has to be installed by admins.

SUS stands for Software Update Services, and is Microsoft’s answer to admin’s cries for help with MS updates breaking custom applications. SUS allows an admin to download MS updates and test them first before deploying them out to the clients en masse. Effectively, your own servers (the SUS ones, anyway) become sort of in-house Windows Update servers. It’s a win-win since computers are updated in the way that admins want them, and admins don’t have to go around and manually update all the clients.

Homework:

• Chapter Seven – Review Questions
• Chapter Eight – Review Questions

Pro-Server – 7/30/2006

Tonight we moved on to the Server book and did a Server installation. We decided that instead of Chapters 1 and 2 tonight, and 3 tomorrow, we would be doing Chapter 1 tonight and Chapter 2 tomorrow, with Chapter 3 on your own.

Homework:

• Server Chapter One: Review Questions

MS Excel – 7/30/2007

Today, I got booted off the main stage and you guys forged ahead at your own pace, utilizing me only when you needed me. I think it was a good thing for everyone!

The topics covered today included formulas, range naming and some pretty cool tricks like figuring out loan payments, etc.

Homework:

• Chapter Four: Fill in the Blank; Matching; Project 4F.

Pro-Server – 7/24/2006

Tonight we finished up the book! We covered the backup utility (remember the difference between Incremental/Difference backups) and Performance monitor (PERFMON!)

Homework:

• Chapter 15: Review Questions 1-6; Scenario 15.1
• Chapter 16: Review Questions

Designing Network Infrastructure – 7/24/2007

Forest trusts were on the platter today, with a side of onion rings with the house honey-mustard dip. Delicious.

Homework:

• Chapter Five Review Questions 1 – 7

Managing a Windows Network – 7/24/2007

Today’s class saw us finish chapter 6 with using the CSVDE and LDIFDE commands, which are two commands that allow us to import/export directory information.

Afterwards we took our Checkpoint #1 exam. Next week, we’ll continue on into Chapter 7.

Homework:

• No homework!

Pro-Server – 7/23/2006

Tonight we talked about Users and Groups — why to create them and how to best use them to your administrative advantage (re: golf).

We also talked about security templates and using the Security Configuration and Analysis tool to help us figure out how our computers shape up to whatever standard we want to test it against, and then quickly make that computer come up to par. (again, golf reference.) Thinking about it reminds me of the Network Access Protection feature that’s available with Vista/2k8. Anyway…

Remember!! Since I, as Clay would put it, “suck at life”, I didn’t have your tests ready for tonight, but they will be ready tomorrow night! Make sure you’re ready for Chapters 10-12 tomorrow!!!!!!! Oh, tomorrow we’ll be done with the XP pro book. How freakin’ cool is that?

Homework:

• Chapter 13: Review 1-8; Scenario 13-1
• Chapter 14: Review 1-6
• Study for Chapter 10-12 test.

MS Excel – 7/23/2007

Today’s class was all about formatting and the various things inside Excel that you could format.

Homework
* Chapter 3: Matching; Fill-in-the-Blank; Project 3F