The updated fourth edition by Bekim Dauti is a practical guide for deploying, managing, and securing Windows Server 2025 environments. Designed for IT professio...
Book Overview
This newly revised fourth edition by experienced author Bekim Dauti offers practical, real-world strategies for deploying, managing, and securing modern server environments, with an emphasis on virtualization and hybrid cloud integration. Tailored for IT professionals, system administrators, and certification seekers, this hands-on resource provides the tools and best practices recommended by Microsoft for effectively managing and troubleshooting Windows Server 2025. You'll explore networking fundamentals, installation steps, post-installation configurations, directory services, and role management. The edition also dives deep into the latest features of Windows Server 2025, including updates to Active Directory Domain Services, SMB over QUIC, advanced security capabilities, and Azure Arc–enabled hotpatching. Each chapter includes review questions to reinforce your understanding. By the end, you’ll be well-equipped to maintain a stable, secure, and high-performing server environment—and ready to tackle the Microsoft AZ-800 certification exam with confidence.
- Introduction
- Prerequisite
- Understanding Hosts, Nodes, and Client/Server Architecture
- Overview of IP Addressing and Subnetting
- Getting to know the server
- Understanding the Network Operating System (NOS)
- Introduction and Editions of Windows Server 2025
- Windows Server 2025 Overview
- Key Differences Between Windows Server 2025 and Windows Server 2022
- Minimum and recommended system requirements for Windows Server 2025
- Lesson Exercise 1.1 – Downloading Windows Server 2025
- Lesson Exercise 1.2 – Downloading Windows Admin Center
- Summary
- Lesson Quiz
0:20:0- Further Reading
- Introduction
- Prerequisite
- Understanding and Managing Devices and Drivers: Plug and Play, IRQs, and Driver Signing
- Managing and Optimizing Registry Entries and Service Accounts
- Setting Up the Server for Optimal Performance and Security
- Chapter Exercise – Configuring Initial Settings in Windows Server
- Summary
- Quiz
0:15:0- Further Reading
- Introduction
- Prerequisite
- Understanding the Active Directory Infrastructure in Windows Server 2025
- Adding and Configuring the Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS) Role
- DNS Fundamentals and Configuration in Windows Server 2025
- Managing Organizational Units (OUs) and Default Containers
- User and Group Management in Active Directory
- Chapter Exercise – Installing AD DS and DNS Roles and Promoting the Server to a Domain Controller
- Summary
- Lesson Recap
0:15:0- Further reading
- Introduction
- Prerequisite
- Understanding Server Roles and Features in Windows Server 2025
- Exploring Application Server Roles and Their Implementations
- Configuring Web Services and Their Roles in Windows Server 2025
- Setting up Remote Access Roles and Their Functionalities
- Deploying File and Print Services in Networked Environments
- Understanding User Rights and Permissions Management
- Chapter Exercise – Installing Web Server (IIS) and Print and Document Services (PDS) Roles
- Summary
- Short Quiz
0:15:0- Further Reading
- Introduction
- Prerequisite
- Understanding GP Fundamentals in Windows Server 2025
- Understanding Group Policy Processing and Order of Precedence
- Overview of Group Policy Editors
- Chapter Exercise – Practical GPO Examples for System Administrators
- Summary
- Quick quiz
0:15:0- Further Reading
- Introduction
- Prerequisite
- Understanding Storage Technologies and Their Evolution in Windows Server 2025
- Overview of Storage Protocols and Their Role in Data Access and Transmission
- Managing Server Storage with Server Manager and Windows PowerShell
- Understanding RAID Principles and Configurations
- Understanding Primary Storage Concepts and Optimizing Storage in Windows Server 2025
- Chapter Exercise – Enabling Data Deduplication on Windows Server 2025
- Summary
- Flash Quiz
0:15:0- Further reading
- Introduction
- Prerequisite
- Overview of AD DS Enhancements in Windows Server 2025
- Implementing the 32k Database Page Size for Enhanced Scalability
- Understanding Schema Updates and Extending AD Schema Capabilities
- Utilizing AD Object Repair for Improved Directory Management
- Chapter Exercise – Enabling the 32k Database Page Size in Windows Server 2025
- Summary
- Quick Test
0:15:0- Further Reading
Basic computer skills: familiarity with Windows desktop and file management.
Fundamental networking knowledge: basic understanding of IP addressing and network components.
Virtualization platform (optional): VMware Workstation, VirtualBox, or Hyper-V for hands-on practice.
Windows Server 2025 trial/license: available for download from Microsoft Learn.
Willingness to learn and practice: self-motivation to complete labs and exercises.
Install & configure Windows Server 2025: Perform a full installation and initial post-setup tasks.
Manage core services: Set up and administer Active Directory Domain Services, DNS, and DHCP.
Implement Group Policy: Create, link, and troubleshoot GPOs to enforce security and configuration standards.
Automate with PowerShell: Write scripts to automate common administrative tasks and bulk configurations.
Leverage virtualization & cloud integration: Deploy Hyper-V virtual machines and extend management with Azure Arc, including hotpatch updates and SMB over QUIC.
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Last Updated
Oct 20, 2025
Students
99+
language
English
Duration
10h++Level
beginner
Expiry period
Lifetime
Certificate
Yes
Smart NextGenEd
English
Certificate Course
99+ Students
10h++
30 Courses
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