Windows Server 2016: Install, Store, and Compute (Exam 70-740) Course

Installing, upgrading, and migrating Windows Server 2016 is a critical part of any enterprise IT strategy. It enables organizations to deploy their workloads on the latest version of Windows Server while maintaining compatibility with existing applications and services.

When installing a new or upgraded Windows Server, administrators should consider factors such as hardware requirements, software compatibility, and licensing costs. It is also important to assess the impact of upgrading or migrating existing applications and services, as this may require changes to the underlying infrastructure. The process should be carefully planned and implemented with minimal disruption to production environments.

Once the new server has been installed, administrators must configure it according to their requirements. This involves setting up user accounts, configuring roles and services, and applying patches and updates. It is also important to ensure that all relevant security policies are in place.

Administrators must test the new installation or upgrade to ensure it meets their performance requirements. This process can be complicated and time-consuming but is essential for ensuring a successful deployment of Windows Server 2016.

Installing, upgrading, and migrating Windows Server 2016 should be an integral part of any enterprise IT strategy. With careful planning and preparation, it can be a straightforward process that enables organizations to harness the latest features and capabilities of the latest Windows Server releases.

Configuring local storage in Windows Server 2016 is key to the successful management of disk and volume resources. While physical disks can be used for storing data, it’s more efficient to create volumes on multiple disks that are part of a single pool of storage space. This process is known as disk striping. When configuring Local Storage, you can create several different types of volumes, including basic, dynamic (which allows for the addition of more disks), and spanned volumes (which offer larger capacity). Once the desired volume type is selected, you'll need to select the disk option that works best with your environment. After configuring the local storage in Windows Server 2016, you can manage it by assigning disk numbers and drive letters to the disks you want to access, or using tools such as Disk Management to create partitions on those drives. You can use the File and Storage Services feature in Server Manager to manage the server's local storage. Using this feature, you can easily view all available volumes, format them for data storage, shrink them, or expand them. With these tools, you can ensure that your server's local storage is configured and managed correctly for optimal performance.

Implementing Enterprise Storage Solutions in Windows Server 2016 involve configuring advanced storage and network file shares and services. This is done to maximize the performance, security, and cost savings of data storage. Advanced storage can be configured by creating a RAID array or through a SAN-based solution utilizing Fibre Channel or iSCSI protocols. Network File Shares and Services can be created through Distributed File Systems (DFS) or file server clustering. This provides fault-tolerance, scalability, security, and ease of management for file storage. To ensure data availability and integrity, it is important to understand the different types of redundancy available and the steps needed to properly configure enterprise storage solutions in Windows Server 2016.

The key to success in implementing enterprise storage solutions is having an understanding of the different components that need to be configured and managed. This includes choosing an appropriate RAID level, configuring network file shares, setting up SAN-based solutions, and ensuring adequate redundancy for data availability. Additionally, with Windows Server 2016, it is important to understand the different features offered such as Storage Spaces and ReFS. With this knowledge, administrators can create robust storage solutions that are secure, cost-efficient, and provide optimal performance for users.

By taking the time to properly configure enterprise storage solutions in Windows Server 2016, organizations can ensure their data remains secure and accessible. This will maximize their data storage capabilities and provide users with the best performance possible. It is important to keep in mind that enterprise storage solutions are complex, and it is essential to have an understanding of the different components involved before attempting to implement them successfully.

Implementing Storage Spaces and Storage Spaces Direct on Windows Server 2016 enables IT professionals to create highly-available, fault tolerant storage solutions. With Storage Pools and Storage Spaces, administrators can manage physical disks using a single interface to build resilient disk pools from which virtual disks are then created. This allows for the efficient management of multiple server nodes in an environment, providing the ability to centrally manage a large number of disks and servers for optimal performance and capacity.

Storage Spaces Direct (S2D) is an advanced feature that utilizes the power of Windows Server 2016 to create a highly available, scalable software-defined storage solution without requiring additional hardware or software. S2D provides IT professionals with the ability to leverage the data protection features of Storage Spaces and the flexibility of the underlying operating system to configure a storage solution that meets their specific requirements.

Administrators can easily monitor and manage the health of their Storage Spaces Direct cluster using Windows Server 2016's integrated performance and capacity monitoring tools, providing valuable insight into server performance metrics and capacity utilization. With Storage Spaces Direct and other features of Windows Server 2016, IT professionals can easily deploy storage solutions that provide both cost savings and high performance.

Implementing Storage Spaces and Storage Spaces Direct on Windows Server 2016 enables IT professionals to create highly-available, fault-tolerant storage solutions in an efficient manner. By leveraging the power of the underlying operating system and Windows Server 2016's integrated performance and capacity monitoring tools, IT professionals can ensure their storage solutions are optimized for maximum performance and cost savings.

Installing and configuring Hyper-V virtual machines is a key part of leveraging the power of Windows Server 2016. By selecting, installing, and configuring Microsoft's virtualization technology you can quickly deploy different types of virtual machines on your server system.

The first step in setting up a Hyper-V environment is to select the right virtualization technology for your organization. You can choose from a range of options, such as Type-1 and Type-2 hypervisors, depending on the features and functionality that you require.

Once you have selected the right type of hypervisor, the next step is to install it on your Windows Server 2016 system. This process will typically involve downloading the software and running an installer, which will install the Hyper-V components on your Windows Server 2016 system.

Once Hyper-V is installed, you can then configure it for use with your virtual machines. This will involve setting up various parameters, such as CPU and memory allocations, network adapter settings, storage assignments, and other parameters.

You will need to manage the virtual networks that your Hyper-V virtual machines use. This includes setting up access control and security settings for each virtual network, as well as ensuring the traffic between them is properly routed so that the VMs can communicate with each other.

By following these steps and properly configuring Hyper-V virtual machines on Windows Server 2016, you can quickly deploy different types of virtual machines and use them to provide a variety of services for your organization.

Deploying and managing Windows Server 2016 and Hyper-V Containers is a great way to take advantage of the scalability, portability, and resource isolation that containers provide. With Windows Server 2016, you can deploy pre-created custom containers or build your own from scratch. You also have the option of creating virtual machines from existing physical servers or creating new virtual machines.

Once you deploy your containers, Windows Server 2016 provides a number of tools to help you manage them. You can use the Container Manager console to monitor performance, as well as update and patch your containers. The container host also includes PowerShell commands for managing container images and running processes in containers. Additionally, Windows Server 2016 supports integration with third-party container management solutions.

For added security, Windows Server 2016 also includes a built-in secure container runtime feature. This provides an isolated environment for running containers and ensures that applications within the containers have no access to any other part of the system. You can use Hyper-V isolation technology to further limit access from external threats.

By deploying and managing Windows Server 2016 and Hyper-V Containers, you can take advantage of the flexibility and scalability that container technology provides. With the right tools and configuration, you can ensure that your containers remain secure, up to date, and running at peak performance.

Data deduplication and backup in Windows Server 2016 can help maximize storage capacity, improve network performance, and reduce the time needed for backups. Data deduplication removes redundant copies of data from a file system or volume, resulting in improved storage efficiency. The process works by recognizing duplicate chunks of data across files and selectively removing only portions that are identical. This allows for more efficient storage of data and can significantly reduce the size of the data stored on disk.

Backups are also essential for maintaining system integrity in the event of a server failure or compromise. Windows Server 2016 provides several methods for backing up your server, such as full backups, incremental backups, differential backups, and file-level backups. Each of these methods can be used to create snapshots of your server's data that can then be restored in the event of a disaster. Windows Server 2016 also provides options for backing up data to cloud-based services, such as Microsoft Azure or Amazon Web Services (AWS). These options provide an additional layer of redundancy and protection for your data.

Data deduplication and backup in Windows Server 2016 are essential tools for keeping your server running smoothly and protecting its information. By utilizing the options available with Windows Server 2016, you can maintain optimal efficiency while ensuring that all of your important data is safe and secure.

Implementing and Managing Failover Clustering is a way to increase the availability of services running on Windows Server 2016. This allows applications and services to remain available even if there are issues with individual servers or entire server clusters. Setting up failover clustering involves configuring one or more virtual or physical servers with shared storage, networking, and other resources.

Once clusters are set up, they must be configured for the specific applications or services that will run on them. This includes specifying failover settings and resource allocation so that the cluster can effectively manage application workloads across all nodes in a cluster. Administrators will then need to manage the cluster, including monitoring health and performance, troubleshooting issues, and carrying out other administrative tasks. With proper implementation and management of failover clustering, organizations can ensure that their applications and services remain available in the event of server or cluster failure.

Implementing High Availability in Hyper-V is the process of configuring the virtual machines (VMs) hosted on a Windows Server 2016 system for failover clustering. This means that if one VM fails, another will automatically take its place with minimal interruption to service or data loss. Using failover clustering allows organizations to keep their IT services running reliably and efficiently, ensuring business continuity.

To set up Hyper-V High Availability, first configure the VMs for failover clustering by defining the cluster nodes, configuring VM replication, and setting up network fault tolerance. Additionally, you can take advantage of built-in features like Live Migration to move VMs from one cluster node to another without disrupting service.

Hyper-V also provides disaster recovery options such as Hyper-V Replica and Storage Replica. The former allows for replicating VMs between two sites, while the latter uses storage-level replication of shared volumes across a network to protect data against outages or disasters. Both features help ensure that in case of a disaster, your organization can continue its operations with minimal service interruption.

Overall, implementing High Availability in Hyper-V is an essential part of any organization's IT infrastructure. With the right configuration and setup, it helps ensure reliable and efficient operation for all services hosted on Windows Server 2016 systems.

Implementing NLB on Windows Server 2016 is a straightforward process. The first step is to install the Network Load Balancing (NLB) feature via the Server Manager. Once installed, it's time to configure NLB through the NLB console. In this console you can specify some of the basic configuration settings such as cluster mode, port rules, and affinity settings. You can configure more advanced options such as unicast support and multicast support. Once the configuration is complete you will need to start the NLB cluster through the NLB console. After starting the cluster it's important to monitor its performance to make sure it's providing load balancing services for your application or service. With NLB, it's possible to provide high availability and scalability for your applications, allowing your organization to deliver the best user experience.

Deploying and maintaining servers and virtual machines (VMs) is a critical task for any organization running applications and services on Microsoft Windows Server 2016. To ensure that your environment runs smoothly, it is important to be familiar with the core functions of server deployment and management.

One of the primary steps in deploying a new server is setting up a Windows Deployment Services (WDS) server, which allows you to deploy operating system images to other computers and devices without needing physical media. Using a WDS server also eliminates the need for manual OS installations by allowing you to complete them remotely.

Once your WDS server is set up, you can use Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (MDT) to customize and automate the process of deploying Windows images. MDT simplifies the deployment of operating systems, applications, and settings; it also allows you to deploy OS images in a variety of ways, including on physical hardware or in virtual machines (VMs).

It is also important to regularly update your Windows Server 2016 environment. Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) allows you to quickly and easily deploy updates, ensuring that your environment has the latest security patches and bug fixes.

Monitoring your Windows Server is a crucial part of maintaining a secure and healthy environment. There are many tools available for this task, such as Event Viewer, Performance Monitor, Resource Monitor, and System Center Operations Manager. With the help of these tools, you can be sure that your Windows Server is functioning properly and that any issues are identified quickly.

By familiarizing yourself with the process of deploying and managing servers and VMs, you can ensure that your Windows Server 2016 environment is running efficiently.

A: If you are wondering what Windows Server skills are important to learn, we've written a Windows Server Skills and Learning Guide that maps out Windows Server skills that are key to master and which of our courses teaches each skill.

Read Our Windows Server Skills and Learning Guide

A: There are a few different ways that you can learn Windows Server. One way is to take an online course or an onsite group Windows Server training class. Certstaffix Training offers both of these options so that you can choose the one that best fits your needs and schedule.

Another way to learn Windows Server is to find resources online, such as tutorials, blog posts, and video lessons. This can be a great option if you prefer to learn at your own pace and in your own time. Whatever method you choose, make sure you have access to reliable and up-to-date information so that you can learn Windows Server effectively and efficiently.

A: There are a few different ways that you can learn Windows Server. You can take an online course, participate in an onsite training class if your have a corporate group, or read documentation and books on the subject. The best way to learn Windows Server will depend on your learning style and preferences. If you prefer to learn independently, then reading documentation or taking an online course might be the best option for you. If you prefer face-to-face interaction and working with others, then participating in a corporate onsite training class might be the better choice. Ultimately, the best way to learn Windows Server is the method that works best for you.

A: Windows Server training provides individuals with the skills and knowledge necessary to effectively manage a Windows Server system. This type of training is typically offered by colleges or training organizations, and can be completed in person or online, depending on the provider.

Windows Server training covers a range of topics, including installation and configuration, networking, security, administration, and troubleshooting. By completing this type of training, individuals will be prepared to manage all aspects of a Windows Server system, ensuring that it runs smoothly and efficiently. Additionally, those who complete Windows Server training will be able to provide support to users who may have questions or need assistance.

A: Windows Server is a powerful and versatile platform that helps you build, deploy, and scale applications and websites. To be successful with Windows Server, you need to have a strong understanding of key features and functionality. Here are some of the top skills you need to master:

Top Windows Server Skills

1. Active Directory: Active Directory is a central component of any Windows Server deployment. It allows you to manage user accounts, groups, and permissions. You need to be able to configure Active Directory to meet your organization's needs.

2. Group Policy: Group Policy is a powerful tool that allows you to centrally manage settings for users and computers in your environment. You need to be able to create and deploy GPOs (Group Policy Objects) to control access to resources and to enforce security policies.

3. DNS: DNS is a critical Service that allows you to resolve hostnames to IP addresses. You need to be able to configure DNS zones and records to ensure that your environment can communicate properly.

4. DHCP: DHCP provides a way to automatically assign IP addresses to devices in your network. You need to be able to configure DHCP scopes and options to ensure that your devices can obtain valid IP addresses.

5. File Services: File Services allows you to share files and printers across your network. You need to be able to configure file shares and permissions to control access to resources.

6. Print Services: Print Services allows you to manage printers and print jobs in your environment. You need to be able to configure printers and printer queues to ensure that your users can print to the correct devices.

7. Remote Desktop Services: Remote Desktop Services allows you to provide remote access to desktops and applications in your environment. You need to be able to deploy and configure RDS (Remote Desktop Services) farms to provide users with the resources they need.

8. Hyper-V: Hyper-V is a virtualization platform that allows you to run multiple virtual machines on a single physical server. You need to be able to create and configure virtual machines, as well as manage the storage and networking for your environment.

9. PowerShell: PowerShell is a powerful scripting language that allows you to automate tasks in your environment. You need to be able to write scripts to automate tasks such as user provisioning, report generation, and more.

10. System Center: System Center is a suite of tools that allows you to manage your Windows Server environment. You need to be able to deploy and configure System Center components such as Configuration Manager, Operations Manager, and Virtual Machine Manager.

These are just some of the top skills you need to master when working with Windows Server. To be successful, you need to have a strong understanding of all the key features and functionality. Certstaffix Training can help you get the training you need to be successful with Windows Server. We offer online and corporate group onsite Windows Server training classes.

Windows Server Blogs

• Windows Server Blog
• A Windows System Admin's Blog

Windows Server User Groups

• Microsoft Windows Server groups | Meetup
• Windows User Groups | TechNet

Windows Server Online Forums

• Windows Server - Reddit
• Technet forums - Windows Server - Microsoft