MCITP:EA/SA OS version question

thehourman

Hi guys, I am new to MS certs and I am still working on my CCNA.
Anyways, I am just wondering if Server 2008 Standard is fine for studying MCITP:EA and MCITP:SA.
I already have the Server 2008 Standard, I just don't have the a PC to run it for my home. I am also thinking to use it for labbing.

What exactly is R2? Is that the same thing as the regular server, but in Virtual Machine?

Off-topic question:
I have Windows 7 Ultimate x64, and tried to create a loopback; however, the loopback is in public network.
How am I going to make it public?
I went to Local Security Policy > Network List Manage Policies > Unidentified Networks > Location type: Private. It did not help either. It did change the icon though from Public(bench) into Work(two linked monitors) networks.
Is there a way around this without messing with the registry?

Thanks

earweed

Server 2008 R2 is an updated version of Server 2008. Some new functions were added and some names have been changed. It's also only available in the 64 Bit version. The exams are being upgraded to include material covering Server 2008R2 so it would be a good idea to lab with Server 2008 R2.

thehourman

Cool, but what about the Standard version? Is that ok to use for studying EA/SA?

Michael.J.Palmer

Any of the labs within the MS book can be done on a standard 2008 Server installation. If you're using the MS book then I'd suggest following the directions on how to download an evaluation trial of server 2008 (it should provide you with a link to the direct download) and use that. With that ISO you can install any version of 2008 server you want (minus R2 of course). There are a couple of labs that may require you to set up a ServerCore server so it'll be helpful to have that installation file. Don't worry about activation or even windows updates as you'll be labbing in a closed network environment and your labs should be done before the 90 day evaluation period has ended.

thehourman

Is there a way to extend the trial version of R2?

Michael.J.Palmer

Not really a way to extend it. If the trial runs out all that happens is you'll lose the ability to do Windows Updates and maybe a few minor things but that's about it. I've labbed with expired trial software in the past and not had any problem with it so I wouldn't imagine you'd have a problem.

A way to extend the trial though would be just to format the VHD (assuming you're using a virtual machine here) and re-install the server again and you'll get another 90 days. The only draw back to this is it's a fresh installation so you'll lose any and all settings you had already set up prior.

thehourman

I am cool on losing the settings since that might help me to remember them due to repeating the commands or configuration.
Yes, I will be using VM.
Do you use VirtualBox? I tried to use it but it seems slow, at least for what I can feel. What I mean is when I move my mouse pointer around, I think there is a .5 sec late.

MentholMoose

2008 R2 is an update to 2008 with some new features. It is highly recommended to use 2008 R2 when preparing for the MCITP SA or EA. All of the exams are either already updated with R2 content, or are in the process of being updated, so you need to know the R2-specific features. The main downside to R2 is that it is 64-bit only, so if you are using VMs your PC needs hardware virtualization support (either Intel VT, or AMD-V). If you are using evaluations you might as well use Enterprise edition instead of Standard.

thehourman wrote: »

Is there a way to extend the trial version of R2?

Yes, it can be extended to 240 days total. See here:
How to extend the Windows Server 2008 evaluation period

thehourman wrote: »

Do you use VirtualBox? I tried to use it but it seems slow, at least for what I can feel. What I mean is when I move my mouse pointer around, I think there is a .5 sec late.

If you have a really old PC without enough RAM, VMs just won't run very well. However, if your PC is relatively new and doesn't have any malware slowing it down, you probably haven't installed the Guest Additions in the VM. See here:
Chapter 4. Guest Additions

za3bour

Get yourself a copy of Windows 2008 R2 Enterprise Edition it will run for 180 days and you can extend it.

I'm using VMware for labbing and it's pretty good I do have 4 GB of memory

You can download VHD here

Download details: Windows Server 2008 R2 Evaluation Virtual Hard Drive Images for Hyper-V (180 Days)

Or the ISO here

Windows Server 2008 R2 Evaluation Free 180-Day Trial

Standard is fine but you do need R2 now that's for all EA and SA exams. The downside is that it's only 64bit

thehourman

@MentholMoose,
My PC can run VM no problem. On VMplayer it runs very smooth, and I can go back and forth from my PC to VMplayer without pressing any keys. It is like another regular window.
However, in VirtualBox I have to click the VB; and if I want to exit out and go back to my PC, I have to press a hotkey. And the delay problem that I mentioned on my previous post.
@za3bour,
The reason why I want to use the Standard edition is because I already have it. Well, since the Enterprise can be extended to 180/240 days then might as well try it.

Thanks for the links.

To all,
I bought the MS press books already, does it have a material for R2?

RobertKaucher

Michael.J.Palmer wrote: »

Not really a way to extend it. If the trial runs out all that happens is you'll lose the ability to do Windows Updates and maybe a few minor things but that's about it. I've labbed with expired trial software in the past and not had any problem with it so I wouldn't imagine you'd have a problem.

A way to extend the trial though would be just to format the VHD (assuming you're using a virtual machine here) and re-install the server again and you'll get another 90 days. The only draw back to this is it's a fresh installation so you'll lose any and all settings you had already set up prior.

Incorrect. Using slmgr -rearm you can extend the eval for 180 days (retail copy without product key). The Evaluation Version can go up to 240 days.

How to extend the Windows Server 2008 evaluation period

thehourman

RobertKaucher wrote: »

Incorrect. Using slmgr -rearm you can extend the eval for 180 days (retail copy without product key). The Evaluation Version can go up to 240 days.

How to extend the Windows Server 2008 evaluation period

After the 240th day, can I reinstall the OS, and do the same thing again to get another 240 days?

za3bour

thehourman wrote: »

After the 240th day, can I reinstall the OS, and do the same thing again to get another 240 days?

Yes it will be another 240 days, regarding your question about the book it doesn't cover R2 material.

So you have the option if getting a book about R2 (like Mastering R2 or R2 Unleached) or you can use technet (which most of us does) and many subjects here does contain a lot of info/resources for R2 as well.

MentholMoose

thehourman wrote: »

@MentholMoose,
My PC can run VM no problem. On VMplayer it runs very smooth, and I can go back and forth from my PC to VMplayer without pressing any keys. It is like another regular window.
However, in VirtualBox I have to click the VB; and if I want to exit out and go back to my PC, I have to press a hotkey. And the delay problem that I mentioned on my previous post.

Read the rest of my post. Make sure the Guest Additions is installed. If it is, try reinstalling it and rebooting. Also in the Machine menu make sure "Disable mouse integration" is NOT checked.

Michael.J.Palmer

RobertKaucher wrote: »

Incorrect. Using slmgr -rearm you can extend the eval for 180 days (retail copy without product key). The Evaluation Version can go up to 240 days.

How to extend the Windows Server 2008 evaluation period

Never knew that.. of course, I never really needed to use it either. You know how that goes.