Morning All,

I have Supported windows 7 machines for the past 3-4 years and supported windows 2008 from a basic admin perspective (AD User Account, GPO Deployment of software and basic Exchange permission/group set ups).

Around 5 years ago, I built a few servers on windows server 2003 and although I didn't know all the technicalities of each feature, through trial and error I setup a basic file sharing and User AD network for around 20 users.

I have now decided I need to really understand each technicality and start from scratch.

What would be the best training videos for me to learn how to build a server on windows 2008 from scratch using gui and then setting up a AD domain controller, DNS, DHCP, Firewall etc?

This will be self study in my own lab and I want to become Network+ certified.

Many Thanks

Hi Chris,

Well if you are wanting to get Network+ certified, then just get yourself a study guide, watch the videos and take the exam! However, you will not learn anything about AD and very little about Firewalls from the Network+. It's a lot more about the basics of how networks work.

I would recommend having a look at Microsofts website for all Server training. For example, you could start an MCTS in just AD administration. It's pretty much still a case of getting a study guide and setting up a home lab to mess around with. On the training website, all Microsoft certs have the exact exam objectives for you to follow along with recommended traing materials. When you feel like you know all the content, take an exam.

http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/certification/mcts.aspx#tab2

For a bit more in-depth look at how networks work and also for configuring firewalls, I'd suggest looking to Cisco for training. The CCNA covers pretty much all of the Network+ plus quite a bit more, along with getting your hands onto the configuring of Cisco IOS on their Routers.

If you decide to try out the Cisco route, I'd recommend taking a look at the CBT Nugget videos on the CCNA. Jeremy Cioara, their Cisco trainer is very knowledgable, and has made some fantastic videos. (Not as good as the good Professor though!)

...All roads lead to Rome...

If you have a destination, whatever direction you start - eventually, if you keep the goal in mind, you will get there.

few of us follow(ed) the same path to IT, Networking, computers system administration, etc. Even if we do start at the same place, some of us have taken detours, the road less traveled (raised families, got other jobs, were ill).

As far as I can tell you; Setting the goal is more important than planning the trip on a map.

I started in consumer electronics - fixing TV's, radios. Somehow that qualified me for a career in chemistry? I had allergies, transfered to Archithecture - which led me to working on computer Main frames, then programing. At the time - each change was logical, preditable and the transition was near seemless. Looking back - its not as apparent as it was at the time, but the goal always remained the same - networking and electroinc communication.

Now I'm back to computers ... and believe it or not - with the proliferation of iPAD, Smartphones, PDA, gamebox ... its "kinda" like working our TV's and Radios again.