How do I practice 70-640?

VinUnleaded

Hello

Can anyone give me an idea on how to practice configuring Active Directory? I have VMware Workstation, 6 cores AMD computer. Do I have to install Windows Server as the main OS? Then run virtual machines on top of Windows Server?

Essendon

VMware Workstation is a type 2 hypervisor, meaning it runs on top of a host OS. You can use Win7/2008R2 has your host OS's. Just ensure that the host OS is 64 bit and you have VT-x turned on in your host computer's BIOS. VT-x is essential to running 64 bit guest OS's. I recommend you run Windows Server 2008 R2 as your host OS as it chews only about 480MB RAM when idling as opposed to Win7 which takes up over a gig.

To play with AD, you need to promote a server to the status of Domain Controller. A DC runs Active Directory. See here for a how-to. Or here.

VinUnleaded

Essendon wrote: »

VMware Workstation is a type 2 hypervisor, meaning it runs on top of a host OS. You can use Win7/2008R2 has your host OS's. Just ensure that the host OS is 64 bit and you have VT-x turned on in your host computer's BIOS. VT-x is essential to running 64 bit guest OS's. I recommend you run Windows Server 2008 R2 as your host OS as it chews only about 480MB RAM when idling as opposed to Win7 which takes up over a gig.

To play with AD, you need to promote a server to the status of Domain Controller. A DC runs Active Directory. See here for a how-to. Or here.

Thank you so very much for taking your time to answer my question. I've been researching all day without any solid answer. I think I'm going to try running virtual machines on my Windows 7 x64 computer for now. I have 16GB so RAM is not really a concern at the moment. I already got 3 Windows Server 2008 vms running so I guess VT is already enabled on my BIOS.

Again thanks alot. If you have any additional info and links please feel free to add

Essendon

With 16GB RAM you'll be laughing. Install a couple of DC's, watch replication between them, setup a client or two and practice DNS. Here are some useful links and I'll post more when I get home from work today.

1. Active Directory Learning Resources Podcasts Webcasts Virtual Labs
2. Active Directory Tutorial
3. DNS << Best link around for DNS.
4. Windows Server 2008 R2 Content by Category << Best link for Windows Server 2008 R2.

This last link may look daunting at first, but TechNet (a Microsoft site) is IMO the best resource around for learning Windows. Very detailed, correct and free!! Bookmark the last link and come back to it for any info you may need.

Again, stick with TechNet for learning Windows Server. Since it is all encompassing, filter what you do not want to read. But apart from that, it's filled with scenarios, walkthrough labs and examples.

Hope this helps!

arvin2212

Thank you so much for the links, Essendon.

It'll come in handy once i receive my server in a few days time. I am so glad to see your post and you helping another being, just like myself as I am quite clueless on where to start.

Thank you once again

LCA

For some targeted links to the Technet resources mentioned above by Essendon go to this sticky thread here at TE:

http://www.techexams.net/forums/mcts-mcitp-windows-2008-general/42880-70-640-resources.html

Those links deal specifically with the exam topics.


HTH