In this section, we explore the world of programming, algorithms, networks, and infrastructure
Proper configuration of user rights and permissions is fundamental for system security and operational efficiency. User rights define system-level privileges, while permissions control access to specific resources such as files and folders. File server auditing ensures transparency, compliance, and security by tracking access and modifications. Additionally, installing the Web Server (IIS) and Print and Document Services (PDS) roles expands server functionality, enabling web hosting and centralized print management.
Group Policy (GP) in Windows Server 2025 is a powerful tool for managing and enforcing user and computer configurations across networks. Administrators can use Group Policy Objects (GPOs) to standardize security, streamline operations, and ensure compliance. Tools like the Group Policy Management Console (GPMC), administrative templates, and troubleshooting utilities (RSoP, gpresult, Group Policy Log Viewer) provide centralized control. Best practices such as clear naming conventions, testing policies before deployment, and leveraging filtering enhance efficiency. Real-world applications include strengthening security in financial institutions, streamlining user experiences in universities, and managing updates in healthcare organizations.
Configuring Group Policy Objects (GPOs) in Windows Server 2025 allows administrators to enforce consistent policies across users and computers. GPO settings correspond directly to registry keys and can be set to Not Configured, Enabled, or Disabled. Understanding the order of precedence—Local, Site, Domain, and OU—is essential to avoid conflicts. Tools like Local Group Policy Editor and Group Policy Management Console (GPMC) provide centralized and local management. Practical examples include renaming default accounts, blocking Microsoft accounts, restricting Control Panel access, and denying removable storage use, all of which strengthen security and streamline administration.
Virtualization is a cornerstone of modern cloud computing, enabling multiple virtual machines (VMs) to run on a single physical server or across clusters. Windows Server 2025 integrates Hyper-V, Microsoft’s robust virtualization platform, to create, configure, and manage VMs. Hyper-V supports different virtualization modes (Fully Virtualized, Paravirtualized, Containerization), advanced features like nested virtualization, and centralized management through Hyper-V Manager. This technology reduces hardware costs, optimizes resource usage, and enhances scalability, making it essential for IT infrastructure and hybrid cloud environments.
Hyper-V Manager in Windows Server 2025 provides essential tools for managing virtual environments. Key functions include monitoring Replication Health to ensure VM availability and exporting VMs for migration and resource management. Administrators can also configure Hyper-V settings such as storage, GPU allocation, NUMA spanning, and enhanced session mode. Practical tasks include creating and managing virtual hard disks (VHDs), adjusting VM memory, and setting up virtual networks with external, internal, or private switches. These capabilities enhance disaster recovery, optimize performance, and streamline virtualization management.
Checkpoints in Hyper-V allow administrators to capture and preserve the state of a virtual machine (VM) at a specific point in time. This feature is critical for stability during updates, installations, or configuration changes, enabling quick recovery without downtime or data loss. Hyper-V supports two types of checkpoints: Production and Standard. Additionally, virtual disk formats (VHD and VHDX), migration processes (P2V and V2P), and VMware-to-Hyper-V transitions are essential for modern IT infrastructure. VM settings, resource allocation, and best practices for startup and recovery further enhance virtualization management.
Data storage technologies are fundamental to Windows Server 2025 operations, enabling efficient management, retrieval, and protection of information. This chapter explores physical interfaces, disk controllers, and storage methods, including DAS, NAS, SAN, RAID, and modern protocols such as SCSI, iSCSI, FC, and FCoE. It also covers storage media like HDDs, SSDs, NVMe, optical disks, and flash memory. Administrators can manage storage using Server Manager and PowerShell, while advanced features like Data Deduplication and Storage Spaces Direct enhance efficiency. Understanding file-level vs. block-level storage, controllers, and communication protocols ensures optimized performance and reliability in enterprise environments.
In modern storage infrastructures, components such as Host Bus Adapters (HBAs) and Fibre Channel (FC) switches are essential for managing high-speed data transfer. HBAs connect servers to storage networks, while FC switches manage traffic within the SAN fabric. Alongside these, technologies like iSCSI, Storage Spaces Direct (S2D), Data Deduplication, and Storage Tiering in Windows Server 2025 enhance scalability, efficiency, and resilience. Understanding these technologies enables administrators to build secure, fault-tolerant, and cost-effective storage solutions.
Host Bus Adapters (HBAs) and Fibre Channel (FC) switches are critical components in Storage Area Networks (SANs). HBAs connect servers to storage arrays via fibre links, while FC switches manage traffic within the SAN fabric. Alongside these, Windows Server 2025 introduces advanced storage technologies such as iSCSI, Storage Spaces Direct (S2D), Data Deduplication, and Storage Tiering. These features enhance scalability, efficiency, and resilience, enabling administrators to build secure and cost-effective infrastructures. Understanding RAID principles, SDS, and High Availability further strengthens modern IT environments.
Windows Server 2025 introduces significant improvements to Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS), focusing on scalability, security, and hybrid cloud integration. Key updates include a new domain and forest functional level, expansion of database page size from 8k to 32k, NUMA support, enhanced replication algorithms, and advanced backup/recovery mechanisms. Security enhancements strengthen Kerberos authentication, integrate multi-factor authentication (MFA), and improve LDAP encryption with TLS 1.3. Schema updates expand AD’s capabilities for modern applications, while new object repair features improve manageability. These advancements position AD DS as a robust solution for enterprises managing hybrid environments and large-scale directories.
SMB over QUIC in Windows Server 2025 combines the robust Server Message Block (SMB) protocol with the modern QUIC transport protocol to deliver secure, low-latency, and reliable file sharing. This integration eliminates the need for VPNs, enhances encryption with TLS 1.3, and optimizes performance for remote and mobile users. Key benefits include faster data transfers, improved network reliability, and simplified deployment. Security is strengthened through PKI, AES encryption, and mutual authentication, while administrators can configure and automate settings using familiar tools like Group Policy and PowerShell.
This hands-on exercise guides administrators through configuring and enabling SMB over QUIC in Windows Server 2025. SMB over QUIC provides secure, efficient file transfers with reduced latency and built-in encryption, eliminating the need for VPNs. The steps include preparing the server, installing required roles and features, configuring certificates, adjusting firewall rules, and enabling SMB over QUIC. Administrators then validate the setup using PowerShell and diagnostic tools. This exercise strengthens practical skills in deploying secure file transfer protocols, optimizing performance, and ensuring compliance with modern cybersecurity standards.
