Windows Server Administration

Course Description

This course provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary to install, configure, manage, and support a Microsoft Windows Server environment. Students will explore core server roles, directory services, storage management, virtualization, and network services through lecture and hands-on laboratory activities. The course is designed to prepare students for entry-level server administration roles and aligns with industry certification objectives in the Microsoft ecosystem.

This is a 3-credit-hour course in the Computer Engineering Technology (CET) taxonomy of the Florida Statewide Course Numbering System (SCNS), under the Engineering Technologies discipline.

Learning Outcomes

Required Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Install and perform initial configuration of Windows Server in both GUI and Server Core modes.
• Install, configure, and manage common server roles and features, including DNS, DHCP, and file services.
• Create and administer Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS), including user accounts, groups, and organizational units (OUs).
• Configure and manage Group Policy Objects (GPOs) to enforce security and desktop settings across a domain.
• Implement and manage file and storage services, including NTFS permissions, shared folders, and disk management.
• Configure remote access and remote management tools, including Remote Desktop Services and Windows Admin Center.
• Monitor server performance, manage event logs, and perform basic server maintenance and troubleshooting.
• Implement basic server security practices, including user rights, auditing, and Windows Firewall configuration.

Optional Outcomes

The following outcomes may be covered depending on institutional focus and course sequencing:

• Deploy and configure Hyper-V virtualization and manage virtual machines within a Windows Server environment.
• Configure Microsoft Azure Active Directory and integrate on-premises directory services with Azure cloud services.
• Implement Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) and patch management strategies.
• Configure advanced networking services including VPNs, DirectAccess, and software-defined networking (SDN) concepts.
• Explore distributed file systems (DFS), storage area networks (SANs), and advanced storage solutions.
• Administer Windows Server in a hybrid cloud environment, utilizing Azure management tools alongside on-premises infrastructure.

Major Topics

Required Topics

The following topics are covered in all standard offerings of this course at Florida colleges:

• Windows Server Installation and Initial Configuration — Installation options (Desktop Experience vs. Server Core), post-install configuration, and licensing.
• Server Roles and Features — Role-based server deployment; installing and managing DNS Server, DHCP Server, File and Storage Services, and Web Server (IIS).
• Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS) — Domain setup, forest and domain structure, domain controllers, user and group account creation and management, organizational units.
• Group Policy — Creating and linking GPOs, managing user and computer settings, password and account lockout policies.
• File Systems and Storage Management — NTFS and ReFS file systems, disk management, volumes and partitions, storage pools, shared folder configuration, and NTFS/share permissions.
• Remote Management and Administration — Remote Desktop Services (RDS), Windows Admin Center, PowerShell remoting, and Remote Server Administration Tools (RSAT).
• Server Security Fundamentals — Windows Firewall, local security policies, user rights assignments, auditing and logging, and the principle of least privilege.
• Monitoring, Maintenance, and Troubleshooting — Performance Monitor, Event Viewer, Task Manager, Windows Server Backup, and system recovery options.
• Network Services Configuration — TCP/IP fundamentals, DNS name resolution, DHCP scope configuration, and basic IP addressing for server environments.

Optional Topics

The following topics may be introduced based on course sequencing, program depth, or instructor emphasis:

• Hyper-V Virtualization — Installing the Hyper-V role, creating and managing virtual machines, virtual switches, and virtual hard disks.
• Windows Server Hybrid Administration — Integration with Microsoft Azure, Azure AD Connect, Azure storage, and hybrid identity management.
• Advanced Networking Services — VPN configuration, DirectAccess, IP Address Management (IPAM), and an introduction to Software-Defined Networking (SDN).
• Distributed File System (DFS) — DFS namespaces and DFS Replication for high-availability file services.
• Certificate Services — Introduction to Active Directory Certificate Services (AD CS) and PKI fundamentals.
• Windows PowerShell Scripting for Administration — Automating server administration tasks using PowerShell cmdlets and scripts.
• Server Clustering and High Availability — Introduction to failover clustering and Network Load Balancing (NLB) concepts.

Resources & Tools

• Microsoft Windows Server (current version; evaluation editions available free from Microsoft Evaluation Center)
• Windows Admin Center — Browser-based server management tool (free from Microsoft)
• Hyper-V / Oracle VirtualBox / VMware Workstation — For building local lab environments and virtual machine practice
• Microsoft Azure Free Account — For hybrid cloud and Azure Active Directory labs
• Remote Server Administration Tools (RSAT) — For managing servers from a Windows client
• Microsoft Learn (learn.microsoft.com) — Free self-paced modules on Windows Server topics aligned to AZ-800/AZ-801 exam objectives
• Textbook: Windows Server Administration Fundamentals (Microsoft Official Academic Course series) or equivalent current edition
• CompTIA / Microsoft Practice Exam Simulators — For students pursuing certification

Career Pathways

Completion of this course supports entry-level employment and advancement in the following roles:

• Windows Server Administrator — Manages and maintains Windows Server infrastructure in enterprise environments.
• Network Administrator — Oversees network services including DNS, DHCP, and Active Directory.
• Systems Administrator — Responsible for overall server health, user account management, and IT operations.
• Help Desk Technician / IT Support Specialist — Provides Tier 2/3 support for Windows Server environments.
• Cloud Systems Administrator — Manages hybrid Windows Server and Microsoft Azure environments.
• IT Infrastructure Analyst — Plans, deploys, and maintains server and network infrastructure.

This course is commonly embedded in Associate in Science (A.S.) degree programs in Network Systems Technology, Cybersecurity and Network Systems, and Computer Information Technology at Florida colleges, as well as College Credit Certificate (CCC) programs in Network Server Administration.

Special Information

Certification Preparation

This course provides foundational preparation for the following industry certifications:

• Microsoft Certified: Windows Server Hybrid Administrator Associate — Exams AZ-800 (Administering Windows Server Hybrid Core Infrastructure) and AZ-801 (Configuring Windows Server Hybrid Advanced Services). This certification validates skills in managing Windows Server on-premises and hybrid environments integrated with Microsoft Azure.
• CompTIA Server+ — Validates vendor-neutral server hardware and software administration skills; topics including installation, configuration, and troubleshooting overlap significantly with course content.

Several Florida colleges, including Eastern Florida State College (EFSC), are authorized testing sites for CompTIA and Microsoft certification exams. Students may be eligible to take certification exams at reduced or no cost through institutional agreements.

Lab Requirement

This course has a significant hands-on laboratory component. Students will build and administer virtualized Windows Server environments, configure Active Directory, manage file and storage services, and practice remote administration — mirroring real-world IT operations. Access to virtualization software (Hyper-V, VirtualBox, or similar) is required.