Network Server Administration

Course number CIS 332, Network Server Administration, lists as its main topics: installing and configuring servers, network protocols, resource and end user management, security, Active Directory, and the variety of server roles which can be implemented. My experience and certification as a Microsoft Certified System Administrator (MCSA) as well as a Microsoft Certified System Engineer (MCSE) demonstrates that I have a thorough grounding in both the theory and practice of the topics covered in this course and should receive credit for it.

Installing and configuring servers was the subject of Installing, Configuring and Administering Microsoft Windows 2000 Server, which I took in 2001 in preparation for my initial Microsoft Certified Professional certification. This exam covered such topics as installing Microsoft Windows 2000 Server using both an attended installation and an unattended installation; server upgrades from Windows NT (the previous version) and troubleshooting and repairing failed installations. This exam also covered installing and configuring hardware devices and user management.

Network protocols were discussed during the training for the exam Implementing and Administering a Microsoft Windows 2000 Network Infrastructure, which I also took in 2001. This exam covered installing, configuring, troubleshooting and administering such protocols as DNS and DHCP, TCP/IP, NWLink, and IPSec. The training covered such aspects of network protocols as remote access policies and network routing. Security was one of the topics of this exam, as well. Network security using IPSec and encryption and authentication protocols was discussed along with the network implementation details.

Resource and end user management was one of the main topics of the Managing and Maintaining a Windows Server 2003 Environment exam, which also updated my knowledge of security, networking and utilities. The exam covered such topics as user creation and modification, user and group management, Terminal Services management and implementing security and software update services.

Security was covered in a number of exams, including Implementing and Administering a Microsoft Windows 2000 Network Infrastructure, Installing, Configuring and Administering Microsoft Windows 2000 Server and Designing Security for  a Windows 2000 Network.

All aspects of network security were covered in the various training sessions for these exams, including topics such as analysis of network security requirements in relation to organizational realities and requirements, design and implementation of such specifics as authentication policies, public-key infrastructures and encryption techniques, physical security, and design and implementation of security audit and assurance strategies. Also included were security considerations for all auxiliary services, such as DNS, Terminal Services, SNMP, Remote Installation Services and others.

Implementation of Active Directory and knowledge of varied server roles was provided by the exam Designing a Microsoft Windows 2000 Directory Services Infrastructure. The training for this exam encompassed the design and implementation of an Active Directory forest and domain structure as well as planning a DNS strategy for client and server naming. This training also included design and implementation of a number of different server types, such as file and print servers, databases, proxy servers, Web servers, desktop management servers, applications servers and dial-in management servers.

Further knowledge of Active Directory and auxiliary services was provided in the training for Implementing and Administering a Microsoft Windows 2000 Directory Services Infrastructure. This training included such topics as installing, configuring and troubleshooting Active Directory and DNS, implementing Change and Configuration Management, and managing all the components of Active Directory, including moving, publishing and locating Active Directory Objects, controlling access, delegating administrative privileges for objects, performing backup and restore and maintaining security for the Active Directory server via Group Policy and the Security Configuration and Analysis tool.

The topics covered in CIS 332, Network Server Administration, have been completely encompassed by my previous experience, training and certification with Microsoft Windows Server 2000, as well as updated knowledge gained by  training for Microsoft Windows Server 2003. I have been constantly increasing my skills and knowledge in this area for the past six years, using both training and work experience to gain certifications which prove that I have a complete grasp of all aspects of the subject matter included in this course.

Installing and configuring servers and network protocols, troubleshooting failed installations or configurations, resource and end user management, security design and management, design and implementation of Active Directory services and implementing and administering a wide variety of network server roles are all major aspects of my training and certification experience. I feel I am fully qualified for the information covered in CIS 332, and should be granted credit for this course.