Microsoft Server 2008 Upgrade 70-648 R2

In this nugget we consider that portable, application-specific "flavor" of Active Directory formerly known as Active Directory Application Mode (ADAM): Active Directory Lightweight Directory Services (AD LDS). Although AD LDS is, under most circumstances, of more interest to the application developer than to the Windows systems engineer, it is, nonetheless, important for us to understand (a) the purpose and function of AD LDS; (b) how to plan for and install AD LDS instances; and (c) how to use special administrative tools to manage those newly installed AD LDS instances. In this nugget we will also learn how to set up and use AD LDS replication. We’ll leave monitoring and troubleshooting AD replication for Nugget #8, Monitoring Active Directory. Understanding AD LDS; Creating an AD LDS Instance; Configuring AD LDS.

In this nugget we introduce one of the many brand-new features of Windows Server 2008-the read-only domain controller, or RODC. You can expect to see lots of questions on your 70-648 exam on this subject, so make sure you understand everything we discuss in this nugget. In a nutshell, the RODC is, in a sense, a throwback to the backup domain controller (BDC) from the old Windows NT 4.0 domain networking days. With RODCs you can reduce the attack surface of your directory services servers in branch office environments. Configuring a Read-Only Domain Controller (RODC); Configuring Unidirectional Replication and Read-Only DNS; Managing Administrator Role Separation; Administering Credential Caching and Password Replication.

In this nugget we learn how to use the spruced-up and retooled backup and restore tools in Windows Server 2008. For your exam success we will want to pay particular attention in this nugget to the syntax and functionality of Wbadmin, the command-line interface to the Windows Server 2008 backup/restore toolset. Using Windows Server Backup; Performing AD Backups and Restores; Managing Linked Value Replication (LVR).

In this nugget we learn how to put our fingers on the proverbial pulse of the Active Directory Directory Services (AD DS) database. First we use the traditional (yet nicely updated) Task Manager utility. Next we fire up the nifty ReplMon and RepAdmin tools. Finally, we cover the daunting and powerful Windows System Resource Manager. You can expect to see quite a bit of coverage on this topic on all of your Windows Server 2008 certification exams, so listen up! Using Task Manager; Working with ReplMon and RepAdmin; Administering a Server with Windows System Resource Manager (WSRM).

In this nugget we continue our discussion of Active Directory Certification Services, this time focusing on post-installation concerns such as maintaining and monitoring the service. Maintaining AD CS; Monitoring AD CS.

In this nugget we review DHCP functionality in Windows Server, paying particular attention to what's new and what's changed in the Windows Server 2008 release. What’s New in Windows Server 2008 DHCP Configuring Scopes, Options, and Reservations; Administering AD Authorization; Managing PXE Boot and DHCP Relay Agent.

In this nugget we examine Internet Protocol Security (IPSec) functionality and how it is implemented in Windows Server 2008. If you have deployed IPSec policies in Windows Server 2003, then you will certainly want to study this nugget very closely, because Microsoft has completely revamped how IPSec is handled in both Windows Server 2008 as well as in Windows Vista. Understanding IPSec; Deploying an IPSec Policy.

In this nugget we cover one of the most eagerly anticipated new features of Windows Server 2008--Network Access Protection, or NAP. With this technology we can screen incoming connections to our domain against pre-configured health policies. For instance, do guest network PCs have current antivirus definitions? Do they have Windows Firewall enabled? If not, then we can prevent these non-compliant hosts from accessing the internal network, or we can remediate these hosts to a special subnet. NAP is a nifty technology, and by the end of this nugget you will know precisely how it works. Understanding NAP Deploying NAP Health Policies Administering NAP Enforcement Methods     Relevant Exam Objectives Configuring Network Access Protection (NAP) Configure Network Authentication (/LI>

In this nugget we examine the drastically updated Windows Firewall service and its dependence upon the Network Location Awareness (NLA) service in Windows Server 2008. This is an often-confused subject among even experienced Windows Server administrators, so you'll want to pay particular attention to this nugget not only for your exam success, but also for your edification in the field. Understanding Network Location Awareness (NLA); Using the Two Windows Firewall Applications; Managing Windows Firewall with Group Policy.

In this nugget we learn how to use the Reliability and Performance Monitor Console. If you have prior experience with the Performance Monitor console in Windows Server 2003, you are ahead of the curve. However, as Dorothy said in The Wizard of Oz, "I have a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore." The Reliability and Performance Monitor console is a different, and vastly more powerful beast, than any prior tool of its kind in any Microsoft server or desktop product. Baselining with the Reliability and Performance Monitor Console; Creating Data Collector Sets; Using the System Stability Index.

In this nugget we learn how to perform packet captures with the latest version of Network Monitor. We also learn how to perform security audits on Windows Server 2008 and Windows Vista computers by using the Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer (MBSA) tool. Auditing System Security with MBSA; Capturing Network Traffic with Network Monitor.

Windows Server 2008 R2 gives administrators a bevy of neat new tools to make Active Directory management easier. In this nugget we learn about enhancements to Server Manager. We also examine some new technologies, including the AD Best Practices Analyzer, the Active Directory Administrative Center, and the Active Directory Recycle Bin. We finish this nugget by learning about managed service accounts--Active Directory managers finally have the ability to assign service accounts to applications and services and let AD itself manage password changes!

Server core installatiion options, Windows search, browse, organization, windows server backup, Configure backup and recovery, backup files and system state data to media, backup and restore by using removable media, performing and authoritative or non-authoritative Active Directory restore, linked value replication, directory services recovery mode (DSRM)

In this nugget we consider the latest shipping version of Internet Information Services (IIS)--version 7.5. We examine changes and enhancements to the Web Server role. We also discuss AD Web Services, which provides a Web services management interface to Active Directory. Finally, we learn about Authentication Mechanism Assurance, which can apply different authorization profiles based upon the authentication method that is used by the connecting user.