Server+ Certification (2005)

Course Overview

Server+ Certification is internationally recognized by many corporations. Indeed, CompTIA Server+ Certification is a prerequisite qualification for employment (and is endorsed) by many leading computer manufacturers and vendors on a global basis. This three day course will teach students advanced-level technical competency of server issues and technology, including installation, configuration, upgrading, maintenance, environment, troubleshooting and disaster recovery.

Audience

This practical three-day "hands-on" course is intended for students wishing to qualify with CompTIA Server+ Certification. It is also suitable for PC support technicians wanting to improve their skills in support and administration.

Skills Gained

• Identify the features of server hardware and software.
• Plan for the installation and upgrade of servers.
• Know the features of server-level hardware (such as multiprocessing, RAID, and SCSI).
• Install and upgrade server hardware.
• Know basic network concepts and install network devices.
• Install and upgrade server OS, tools, and applications software on Windows, NetWare, and Linux.
• Understand network services (such as File & Print, DHCP, DNS, Web, and Email).
• Develop and implement a server management plan.
• Monitor and optimize a server system.
• Perform basic hardware, software, and network troubleshooting.
• Understand Disaster Recovery concepts and plan effectively.

This course has been approved under the CompTIA Authorized Quality Curriculum program.

Prerequisites

Ideally, students should have successfully completed the "A+ Core Hardware" and "A+ OS Technologies" courses and have around 12 months' experience of PC support. It is not necessary that you pass the A+ exams before completing Server+ certification, but this is recommended.

It is recommended that students have the following skills and knowledge before starting this course:

• Know the function and basic features of the components of a PC.
• Know the PC startup process.
• Use Windows to create and manage files and use basic administrative features (Explorer, Control Panel, Management Consoles).
• Basic network terminology (such as OSI Model, Topology, Ethernet, TCP/IP).

Course Outline

Networking Fundamentals

• LANs, WANs and the Internet
• Uses and Benefits of a LAN . Network Components
• Server-based Networks
• Peer-to-Peer Networks
• Introduction to Topologies
• Physical and Logical Topologies
• Star
• Bus
• Ring
• Other Topologies . Introduction to Transmission Media
• Media Bandwidth
• Media Types
• Twisted-pair Cable (TP)
• Coaxial Cable
• Fibre Optic Cable
• Firewire (IEEE 1394)
• USB
• Structured Wiring Systems
• Crimping Cables
• Wiring for UTP Cable
• Wiring for a Cross-over Cable
• Installing a NIC
• Network Card Drivers

Planning Servers

• Server as Hardware
• Servers and Networks
• Features of Servers
• Server as Software
• Workstation versus Network Operating Systems
• Windows NT
• The Windows 2000 Family
• The Windows 2003 Family
• Windows Administration Tools
• Windows Licensing
• Novell NetWare
• UNIX
• Linux
• Apple Mac OS X . Application Server Models
• Types of Servers
• Network Components
• Network Topologies
• The OSI Model
• IEEE 802 Standards
• Network Devices
• Network Transport Protocols . Project Planning Concepts
• Server Installation Plans
• Server Upgrade Plans
• Implementing the Plan
• Verifying the Plan

Server Hardware and Components

• Server Form Factors
• Racks
• Bus Architecture
• Motherboard Components
• Expansion Bus Standards
• Processor Terminology . Intel Pentium and Xeon Processors
• Intel Itanium Processor . AMD Processors
• Processor Sockets and Models
• Random Access Memory (RAM) Types
• Memory Packaging
• Memory Characteristics
• Hard Drives
• The SCSI Interface
• SCSI Connectors and Cabling
• Setting Up a SCSI Bus
• ATA (IDE) Interface . Configuring an ATA Device
• Drive Arrays (RAID)
• Formatting a Disk
• Network Attached Storage

Installing and Upgrading Servers

• Static Electricity
• Adding and Removing Components . Motherboard
• CPU
• Memory
• Power Supply Unit
• Adapter Cards
• Storage Devices
• BIOS
• Rack Installation
• Peripheral Devices
• Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS)
• Installing Network Components
• Structured Wiring Systems
• Windows Installation
• NetWare Installation
• Linux Installation . Configuration
• Directory Services
• File and Print Services . Network Routing Services
• Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol
• Name Resolution Using DNS
• Microsoft Networking Host Names . Firewalls
• Proxy Servers
• Remote Connection Protocols
• SNA Services
• Email (SMTP Protocol)
• Shared Fax Systems
• Web and FTP Servers

Maintenance and Optimisation

• Developing a Server Management Plan
• Security
• Passwords and Accounts
• Encryption
• Virus Prevention
• Server Environment
• Storage of Components for Future Use
• Network Management Protocols
• Server Monitoring
• Measuring Performance in Windows
• Measuring Performance in NetWare . Measuring Performance in Linux
• Interpreting the Output . Logging User Activity
• Network Monitoring
• Protocol Analyser
• Remote Monitoring and Notification

Troubleshooting and Disaster Recovery

• Troubleshooting Procedures
• Troubleshooting Techniques . Perform Shut Down
• Error Logs
• Recovery Options
• Management Utilities
• Troubleshooting Software
• Troubleshooting Power and POST Problems
• Troubleshooting Other Hardware Issues . Troubleshooting RAID
• Troubleshooting Networks
• Fault Tolerance and Redundancy
• Backup Strategies