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MOAC Server Configuration Lab 1

Author: Jacob Sorem

Materials for the Lab

The MOAC course labs are intended to be run in a classroom environment with an Instructor computer and students pairing off on computers, with all computers connected to a common switch. However, we can easily adapt these labs for use in a virtual environment so that all students are configuring their own servers. Here is what you will need

Host computer
- To run Server 2008, I recommend a computer with at least 3 GB of RAM. (More is always better)
- To run Server 2012, I recommend at least 6 GB of RAM, and a 64-bit OS. (Again, more is always better!)
Virtualization software
- VirtualPC, VMware, and HyperV are options, however, these are recorded using VirtualBox, which I find the most useful in an educational environment. I will comment, where appropriate, on a feature that is VB specific. However, if you are more familiar with another virtualization platform, and you can feel comfortable adapting, any should work.
Server OS
- The MOAC courses come with trial versions of the Server OS.
- If you are part of the developer's network, the software may be available as an ISO download from the MSDN
- Rasmussen Students have access to the Rasmussen MSDN Academic Alliance site for software downloads.

VirtualBox Setup

Setup and configuration of VirtualBox for use in the Lab Exercises

Snapshots

Take Snapshots often, if you have the space to store them! They are an instant backup of your VM state. If something gets mucked up (which happens often in IT) then you have a backup to resort to and you do not need to do excessive troubleshooting, or worse, spend a lot of time re-installing Server.

One thing to consider is that most labs have you conduct a cleanup, which backs out the changes you made. For these labs, it may not be as necessary to take snapshots. On the other hand, if you every want to revert back to the conditions at the end of a lab, before cleanup, you can take a snapshot at that point.

Exercise 1.1 Modifying Basic Server Settings

If you are setting up a server for use with Labs 3 and higher, feel free to skip Lab 1. Lab 2 duplicates much of the work here and configures aspects to work with future labs in the manual.

These labs are good for general initial configuring of the Server environment.

Exercise 1.1 Questions

After Step 2

Question 1: What three categories of tasks are listed in the ICT interface?

Question 2: What is the current (default) time zone configured for this computer?

After Step 5

Question 3: Why does a shield icon appear next to the Change date and time button?

After Step 8

Question 4: What is the current name of your computer?

Source: MOAC Windows Server 2008 Network Infrastructure Configuration Lab Manual

Exercise 1.2 Configuring TCP/IP Settings

Good overview of configuring basic network settings

Exercise 1.2 Questions

After step 2

Question 5: What name is assigned to your computer?

After step 4

Question 6: What network components are installed on your computer?

After step 5

Question 7: What IP addressing settings are configured by default?

Source: MOAC Windows Server 2008 Network Infrastructure Configuration Lab Manual

Exercise 1.3

The activities in Exercise 1.3 are the same as those in 1.1 and 1.2, just on a second server. Review the previous videos if needed to configure a second server.

The two questions in this lab ask what the default name of the computer is.

Exercise 1.4 Configuring a Windows Server 2012 Server Core Computer Part A

Becoming familiar with Server Core installs is a good idea. Microsoft actually recommends running Server 2012 in core mode unless a GUI is needed by an application.

Exercise 1.4 Part A Questions

After step 1

Question 10: What do you see when you log on to a Server Core computer?

After step 5

Question 11: What is the current name of the computer?

After step 6

Question 12: What functions can you perform with the netdom command?

After step 7

Question 13: What warning is displayed on the screen?

After step 8

Question 14: What message is displayed on the screen?

Source: MOAC Windows Server 2008 Network Infrastructure Configuration Lab Manual

Exercise 1.4 Parts B and C

Configuring IP Addressing and allowing for Remote Configuration

Exercise 1.4 Parts B and C Questions

Part B

After step 2

Question 15: Is the server receiving its IP configuration via DHCP? How can you tell?

After step 3

Question 16: What are some of the subcommands that are available from the netsh menu?

After step 4

Question 17: What are some of the subcommands that are available from the interface submenu?

After step 5

Question 18: What subcommands are available from the ipv4 submenu?

After step 7

Question 19: Is the computer's IP address now statically assigned?

Source: MOAC Windows Server 2008 Network Infrastructure Configuration Lab Manual