You Will Learn How To
Install and manage clients and servers within Windows Server 2003 domains
Administer systems using management consoles and the Remote Desktop client
Create and enforce workstation and server configurations using Group Policy Objects
Implement automated software deployment based on computer and user functions
Prepare computers for disk-cloning deployments using SysPrep
Configure and utilize the Remote Installation Service (RIS)
IT professionals face the ongoing challenge of improving the delivery of services while reducing Total Cost of Ownership (TCO). Microsoft Windows incorporates a variety of techniques aimed at significantly reducing TCO. This course provides the skills needed to leverage these techniques while intelligently managing clients and servers within Windows Server 2003 domains. You learn to automate OS and software installation, and centralize control of workstation and server configurations.
Introduction
Overview of management concepts
Reducing Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)
Increasing functionality
Centralizing administration
Microsoft's management solution
Improved management applications
Group Policy Objects
Automated Windows installation
Management and Support Tools
The Microsoft Management Console (MMC)
Managing the operating system with built-in consoles
Creating customized consoles
Exploring alternatives to the MMC
Working with command line utilities
Reconfiguring machines using scripts
Accessing remote machines using Remote Desktop for Administration
Configuring Windows with Group Policy
Controlling settings
Modifying common Registry keys
Assigning logon and start-up scripts
Centralizing data storage
Enforcing consistent security settings
Configuring Internet Explorer
Defining Group Policy Objects (GPOs)
Determining GPOs with the Group Policy console
Modifying administrative and security templates
Documenting and backing up GPOs with the Group Policy Management Console
Managing Group Policy Objects
Linking GPOs within the Active Directory
Combining GPOs with inheritance
Implementing security and WMI filters
Overriding user settings based on computer function
Installing and using Microsoft's Group Policy Management Console
Troubleshooting Group Policy
Improving policy performance
Enabling verbose policy logging
Evaluating policy interaction with the Group Policy Modeling and Results wizards
Deploying Windows Installer Packages
Windows Installer Service
Performing GUI and command line installations and repairs
Managing the installation state of individual features
Distributing software via Group Policy
Assigning software to computers
Publishing for interactive installation
Enabling just-in-time installation so that software ''follows'' users
Customizing software installation with modification files
Performing upgrades, updates and software removal
Automating Windows Installation
Scripted installations
Building answer files using Setup Manager
Supporting variable parameters with Uniqueness Database Files
Creating distribution shares that include third-party drivers
Disk imaging
Preparing systems for imaging using the System Preparation Wizard
Generating answer files for use with cloning utilities
Supporting multiple hardware configurations with a single image
Remote Installation Service (RIS)
Installing and managing RIS on the network
Creating RIS images
Preparing for Windows Deployment Services
Service Packs and hot fixes
Slipstreaming Service Packs and software updates into installation images
Deploying service packs using GPOs
Adding R2 Functionality
Automating execution of the R2 setup utility
Installing optional components with answer files