Hardware and Network Servicing

Level-III
Based on November 2023, Curriculum

Version-II

Module Title: Configure and Administer Server

Module code: EIS HNS3 M01 1123
Nominal duration: 80 Hour
Prepared by: Ministry of Labor and Skill

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 Acronym
AA Active Directory
DS Directory Service
DNS Domain Name System
TVET Technical and Vocational Education
and Training
TTLM Teaching and Training Learning
Material
DHCP: Dynamic Host Configuration
Protocol
OS: Operating System
LAN : Local Area Network
WAN Wide Area Network
VPN Virtual Private Network
PSTN Public Switched Telephone Network
UTP Unshielded Twisted Pair
STP Shielded Twisted Pair
VLAN Virtual Local Area Network
CLI Command Line Interface
GUI Graphical User Interface
HDD Hard Disk Drive
SSD Solid State Drive
CHKDSK Check Disk
PDA Personal Digital Assistant
IIS Internet Information Services
(Microsoft's web server)
CRM Customer Relationship Management
NOS Network Operating System
UNIX A multiuser and multitasking
operating system
TCP/IP Transmission Control
Protocol/Internet Protocol
GB Gigabyte
RAM Random Access Memory
DVD Digital Versatile Disc
ROM Read-Only Memory
VGA Video Graphics Array
IEEE Institute of Electrical and Electronics
Engineers
ISO International Organization for
Standardization
VM Virtual Machine
PKI Public Key Infrastructure
CA Certificate Authority
HTTP Hypertext Transfer Protocol

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 1: Confirm Server Specification
In computing, a server is a piece of computer hardware or software (computer program) that
provides functionality for other programs or devices, called "clients". This architecture is called
the client–server model. Servers can provide various functionalities, often called "services", such
as sharing data or resources among multiple clients, or performing computation for a client. A
single server can serve multiple clients, and a single client can use multiple servers. A client
process may run on the same device or may connect over a network to a server on a different
device. Typical servers are database servers, file servers, mail servers, print servers, web
servers, game servers, and application servers.

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What is a server?
A network server is a computer designed to process requests and deliver data to other (client)
computers over a local network or the Internet.

Confirm server design with client

 The role of the server,

 How it will function with the remaining IT infrastructure, and the required configuration.

Overview of Server Operating System

 A server operating system is an advanced operating system designed to run on servers.
 It has the necessary features and subsystems to operate in a client-server architecture and
serve clients’ requests .
 Server operating systems are optimized to provide more advanced features and functions
for client-server architectures or enterprise IT environments .
 Server operating systems offer various benefits compared to standard operating systems,
including unlimited user connections, more memory, and advanced network
optimizations
 They facilitate the implementation of various server platforms, such as web servers, mail
servers, file servers, database servers, application servers, and print servers

Windows Server 2008

 Released on February 2008
 GUI (graphical user interface) o Pictorial representation of computer function NOS GIUs
 Enable administrator to manage files, users, groups, security, and printers
 Enhanced security, reliability, remote client support, and performance
 Has New server management features
 Editions: Standard Edition, Web Edition, Enterprise Edition, Datacenter Edition

UNIX and Linux

 Popular NOS Provide resource sharing
 UNIX developed in 1969
 UNIX preceded, led to TCP/IP protocol suite development
 Most Internet servers run UNIX
 Efficient and flexible

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Window server 2012
 Edition: Foundation Edition , Essentials Edition, Standard Edition and Datacenter Edition.

Confirming network operating system

Network Operating system
 A network operating system (NOS) is a specialized operating system designed to run on
network devices such as routers, switches, and firewalls.
 It provides networking capabilities such as file and printer sharing, client-server model, and
Internet protocols .

Server application
 A server application is a program that runs on a server and provides services to clients.
 It is designed to handle multiple requests from clients and provide them with the necessary
resources.
 Server applications can be used for various purposes, such as web hosting, email hosting, file
sharing, and database management.
 An application server is a server-side program that uses one or more communication
protocols to offer business logic behind any consumer or business application in a single or
distributed network
 It is designed to provide a platform for running business-critical applications, such as a self-
hosted CRM or a SaaS.
 An application server usually functions as a shared environment for various collaborative
applications.

Types of Sever
 A web server is a server that hosts programs and data and responds to client requests for web
pages or other web-based services. Common web servers are Apache, Microsoft Internet
Information Services (IIS).
 A mail server allows users to forward and receive emails for and from their business and
controls individual email accounts based on a specific domain.
 A file server involves a joint storage point for a business to store documents or data a
network drive.
 A database server includes database integration, which facilitates dynamic web page
building based on the database contents.
 A print server allows multiple machines to use a single printer.

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Server Design
 Server design can refer to two different things:
 server operating systems and
 server applications.
 A server operating system is an advanced operating system designed to run on servers.
 It has the necessary features and subsystems to operate in a client-server architecture and
serve clients’ requests.
 A server OS is designed from the ground up to provide features suitable for multi-user,
business-critical applications.
 It provides the central interface for managing users, implementing security, and other
administrative processes. The focus of a server operating system is usually security, stability,
and cooperation.

1.2. Identifying product, vendor architecture and equipment

Identify specifications
 Once requirements have been defined and client needs are clarified, it’s time to start thinking
about identifying products that fit the solution. In this case, we need to focus on the possible
server solutions.
 Remember: a server consists of
1. Hardware
2. Software

Network connections.
 There are different types of server designs that need to be considered when identifying
equipment.
 here are multiple server architectures to choose from, including
 Mainframe architecture
 File sharing architecture
 Client/server architecture
 Web based architecture
 Thin client architecture
 Blade architecture.

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Product architecture
 Product architecture is the organization of a product’s functional elements and the ways these
elements interact.

 It plays a significant role in how to design, make, sell, use, and repair a new product
offering .
 There are two fundamental types of product architecture: Modular and Integral.

Modular
 In the modular type, well-defined component interfaces functionally self-contain modules.

 Organize a product into a number of modules to develop and complete a specific function.

 The interaction of these modules carries out the product’s overall purpose.

 The advantages of modular include task allocation and outsourcing. As well as, economies of
scale, reuse/standardization for developing new products, maintenance, and mass
customization.

Integral
 With integral product architecture, functions are shared by physical elements.

 There’s greater complexity of mapping between components and functions.

Identify vendor architecture

 Each vendor in the marketplace supports specific platforms and server architecture.
 When selecting equipment for the server, you will need to consider the hardware and
software platforms from each vendor.
Hardware platform refers to the hardware components that make up the computer system.
Software platform refers to the operating system or programming language developed for the
hardware.

1.3. Identifying technology and resource

 Detailed information about server hardware is available from the server documentation and
from the hardware manufacturer’s website.
 At a minimum, the server vendor will have a component list detailing what hardware is in the
server.

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Identify and evaluate resources
Overview of server technologies
 Hardware technology refers to the physical components that make up a computer system,
such as the CPU, RAM, hard disk, and display.
 It can also mean the technology, materials, tools, and documents that are necessary or useful
to commercialize, develop, test, manufacture, or use certain hardware products, such as
sensors.
 It can also mean the term used to describe how a computer’s hardware and software work
together.
 Some common server-side technologies include backend frameworks, backend development
platforms, and server-side programming languages

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 Unit Two:
Verify server compatibility and inter-operability
2.1. Reviewing Hardware and software to ensure compatibility
Server compatibility
 Ensuring server compatibility involves a comprehensive evaluation of various components to
guarantee seamless integration and optimal performance.
 Firstly, confirm that the chosen central processing unit (CPU) aligns with the motherboard by
checking the CPU socket type and chipset compatibility.

 Verify that Random Access Memory (RAM) modules are supported by both the motherboard
and CPU, taking into account factors like RAM type, capacity, and recommended operating
speeds.

 Additionally, check the compatibility of storage drives, RAID controllers, and networking
interface cards (NICs) to guarantee proper functionality.

 Ensure that the power supply unit (PSU) matches the server chassis and motherboard,
providing sufficient power output and appropriate connectors. For graphics processing units
(GPUs), if applicable, confirm compatibility with the motherboard's PCIe slots and check for
any power supply requirements.

 Matching the server chassis and motherboard form factors is crucial, as well as ensuring
cooling solutions are compatible with both the CPU and chassis.

 Lastly, confirm that the chosen operating system is supported, considering driver availability
and compatibility with the server's hardware. Regularly consult manufacturer documentation
and compatibility lists, and conduct testing in a controlled environment to preemptively
identify and address any compatibility issues.

Ensuring Hardware Compatibility

 Networking is hardware-dependent, and not all hardware products are compatible. In order
for two computers to communicate, they must use the same protocol.
 Computer hardware raises similar issues.
 In some instances, two pieces of hardware simply can't communicate with each other. For
example, consider an analogy to automobile parts: two parts might look alike and be able to
perform the same function, but each is designed to work in a different car.

When Hardware Is a Problem

 Hardware incompatibilities are a fact of life.
 In today's computer industry, hundreds of manufacturers develop hardware and software.

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  Each developer has a unique perspective on the best way to accomplish the same task, and
each will provide a unique solution.
 Copyright and patent issues further complicate the matter.
 Evaluating and selecting hardware is a major part of planning for network implementation.
 It is likely that you will have to create a network out of an existing collection of hardware.
 The most common incompatibilities occur between hardware and software.
 Changing or upgrading a computer or network operating system can lead to major problems.

Reading the Documentation

 Read all the documentation about the products involved. Your hardware or software might
have a recurring problem or might conflict with another product. Frequently, the
manufacturer will document these conflicts and provide a fix. If you do not find the solution
in the supplied documentation, you might contact the manufacturer of the product and ask for
undocumented conflicts.

Detection during Installation

 When you install a new computer or network operating system, your computer will usually
attempt to detect the hardware in the system during the installation process and load the
appropriate drivers for it.
 Check the list of detected hardware and ensure that it matches what is already in the machine.

 If you are installing Novell's Intranet Ware, for example, the install utility will automatically
scan your computer for hardware such as hard disks, CD-ROM drives, and NICs. If the
devices are recognized, the appropriate drivers will then be loaded for the recognized devices

Checking Minimum Requirements

 As a first step before you install, make sure that you exceed the minimum requirements for
the resources in the computer.
 These resources include processor speed, memory, and disk space.
 Table lists some minimum hardware requirements for server 2008

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Table 1. Minimum Hardware Requirements for window server 2008 operating system

Network Hardware
 Network hardware is not as susceptible as software to conflicts and compatibility problems.
Connectivity Devices, covers the basics of how these devices (repeaters, bridges, routers,
routers, and gateways) work.
 Since these devices are common to many different types of networks and work mainly with
data packets, they are less likely to present conflicts.
 The manufacturers of these products maintain strict adherence to the IEEE 802.x standards.
 Therefore, any device that meets an IEEE standard can communicate with another device that
meets the same standard.

Obtaining all hardware required

 The first step in obtaining a networking device is to put suppliers of that device. Then, there
are factors you need to consider about the supplier and the devices on offer, such as support
provided and purchase price.
 This will help you to compare and choose the most appropriate supplier and the exact model
of the device according to client requirements.
 Finally, you are ready to place an order for your organization or client to purchase the device.

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2.3. Installing required operating system and software
A server operating system is an advanced operating system designed to run on servers. It has the
necessary features and subsystems to operate in a client-server architecture and serve clients’
requests. A server OS is designed from the ground up to provide features suitable for multi-user,
business-critical applications. It provides the central interface for managing users, implementing
security, and other administrative processes.

Server operating systems are designed for platforms that act as web servers, application servers,
database servers, email servers, or other platforms running on a dedicated server. Server operating
systems offer various benefits compared to standard operating systems, including unlimited user
connections, more memory, and advanced network optimizations

2.4. Installing additional tools or third-party software

Third-party software is any software application or program that is developed by a company or
individual other than the original manufacturer or creator of the device or operating system it is
intended to run on.
Third-party software is created by external developers or companies who are not directly affiliated
with the manufacturer of the hardware or the creator of the operating system.
Third-party software can encompass a wide range of applications, including productivity tools,
games, utilities, security software, and more.
Third-party software is typically distributed separately from the operating system or device it is
designed for. Users can obtain it through various channels, such as official app stores, websites, or
other distribution platforms.
Updates and support for third-party software are the responsibility of the developers or companies
that created the application. Users need to keep their third-party software up to date to benefit from
new features, bug fixes, and security patches.
Third-party software can be designed to integrate seamlessly with operating systems or other
software. Developers may create plugins, extensions, or APIs that allow their software to interact
with existing systems or applications.
Third-party software often provides users with options for customization, allowing them to tailor the
software to their specific needs. It also allows for specialization, as developers can focus on creating
tools for specific niches or industries.

Change some settings here if the defaults do not match your language, region, and keyboard.

 For example, if you are in Ireland using an Irish-based keyboard, then these defaults won’t suit
you at all! The time zone won’t work correctly, currency symbols will be wrong, and the keyboard
layout will be totally wrong. For example, you will struggle to find the backslash (\), which is kind of
important in the Windows world.

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2.4. Installing additional tools or third-party software
Third-party software is any software application or program that is developed by a company or
individual other than the original manufacturer or creator of the device or operating system it is
intended to run on.
Third-party software is created by external developers or companies who are not directly affiliated
with the manufacturer of the hardware or the creator of the operating system.
Third-party software can encompass a wide range of applications, including productivity tools,
games, utilities, security software, and more.
Third-party software is typically distributed separately from the operating system or device it is
designed for. Users can obtain it through various channels, such as official app stores, websites, or
other distribution platforms.
Updates and support for third-party software are the responsibility of the developers or companies
that created the application. Users need to keep their third-party software up to date to benefit from
new features, bug fixes, and security patches.
Third-party software can be designed to integrate seamlessly with operating systems or other
software. Developers may create plugins, extensions, or APIs that allow their software to interact
with existing systems or applications.
Third-party software often provides users with options for customization, allowing them to tailor the
software to their specific needs. It also allows for specialization, as developers can focus on creating
tools for specific niches or industries.

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 Unit Three: Configure and test server
3.1. Configuring server
 Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS), a core component of Windows Server.
 AD DS is a service that helps manage and organize a networked environment, such as a
company or an organization.
 It stores information about network resources, such as users, computers, printers, and groups,
in a centralized database called the Active Directory.
 The Active Directory has a hierarchical, tree-like structure, called the Active Directory forest.
The forest consists of domains, which are security boundaries that have their own policies
and objects. Domains are organized into trees, and multiple trees can form a forest. For
example, a company may have a forest with domains for different regions or departments.
 The network resources in the Active Directory are represented by objects, which have
attributes that define their characteristics. For example, a user object may have attributes like
username, email address, and group memberships. Objects can be organized into containers
called organizational units (OUs), which allow administrators to manage them more easily.
 AD DS provides authentication and authorization services, which means it verifies the
identity of users and determines what resources and actions they are allowed to access based
on their permissions and group memberships. AD DS also enables Single Sign-On (SSO),
which means users can access multiple resources within the network without having to re-
enter their credentials.
 AD DS allows administrators to define and enforce security settings, configurations, and
restrictions across the network using Group Policies.
 Group Policies are applied to users and computers based on their location in the Active
Directory hierarchy. For example, a Group Policy may specify the password policy or the
desktop wallpaper for a certain OU.

Active Directory Lightweight Directory Services

 AD LDS is a feature of Windows Server that provides a lightweight, directory-access
protocol (LDAP) directory service.
 AD LDS is designed to offer directory services for applications without the need for the full
complexity of Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS).

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Key aspects of AD LDS:
Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP): AD LDS uses LDAP, a protocol for accessing
and maintaining distributed directory information services.
It provides a standards-based method for interacting with the directory
service.

Application Directory Partition: AD LDS operates as an independent

instance of the directory service, known as an application directory partition.
It allows organizations to create and manage multiple directory instances on a
single server.

Schema and Configuration Partitions: AD LDS has its own schema and
configuration partitions, separate from those used by AD DS. This enables
independent schema extensions and configurations for each AD LDS
instance.

Independent Instances: Multiple instances of AD LDS can run on the same

server, each with its own configuration, schema, and directory data. This
makes it suitable for scenarios where different applications require distinct
directory services.

Lightweight and Flexible: AD LDS is designed to be lightweight and

flexible, making it suitable for scenarios where a full-fledged Active
Directory environment may be unnecessary or impractical.

Custom Schema Extensions: Organizations can extend the schema within

AD LDS to define custom object classes and attributes based on the specific
requirements of their applications.

Secure Directory Services: AD LDS supports secure communication using

protocols like SSL/TLS, ensuring the confidentiality and integrity of directory
data.

Integration with AD DS: While AD LDS is distinct from AD DS, it can be

integrated with AD DS to provide additional directory services.

A Domain Name System

(DNS) server is a crucial component of computer networks that translates human-readable domain
names into IP addresses.
 It plays a fundamental role in facilitating the communication between devices on a network.
 Key aspects of a DNS server:
 Name Resolution: DNS servers resolve domain names to IP addresses, allowing users to
access websites and other resources using human-readable names instead of numerical IP
addresses.
 Hierarchical Structure: DNS uses a hierarchical structure with various components like
top-level domains (TLDs), domain names, and subdomains.

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  Recursive and Iterative Queries: DNS queries can be recursive or iterative. In a
recursive query, the DNS server provides the complete answer to the client. In an
iterative query, the server provides a referral to another DNS server, and the client
continues the query process.
 Authoritative and Non-Authoritative Servers: An authoritative DNS server is
responsible for storing and providing information about a specific domain. Non-
authoritative servers may cache information obtained from authoritative servers.
 DNS Records: DNS servers store information in records such as A (address) records for
mapping domain names to IPv4 addresses, AAAA records for IPv6 addresses, MX (Mail
Exchange) records for email routing, CNAME (Canonical Name) records for aliasing one
domain to another, and more.
 Forwarders: DNS servers can be configured with forwarders, which are other DNS
servers that handle queries on behalf of the local server. This helps in reducing the time
taken to resolve queries by leveraging the caching capabilities of the forwarder.
 Root DNS Servers: The DNS system begins with root DNS servers that maintain
information about top-level domains (TLDs). They direct queries to the authoritative
servers for specific TLDs.
 DNS Caching: DNS servers cache query results to reduce the time taken to resolve
subsequent queries for the same domain name. This helps in improving the performance
of the DNS system.

DHCP server
 DHCP is a protocol that automates the assignment of IP addresses and other configuration
parameters to devices on a network.
 A DHCP server is responsible for managing and distributing IP addresses and related
information to devices on the network.
 IP addresses assigned by DHCP servers are leased for a specific duration and must be
renewed before expiration.
 DHCP servers have several benefits, such as preventing IP address conflicts, simplifying
network administration, and supporting both IPv4 and IPv6 protocols.

DHCP Scope
 A DHCP scope is a range of IP addresses and configuration settings that a DHCP server is
configured to provide.

 This means that a DHCP scope is a set of possible IP addresses that a server can assign to
devices on a network. For example, a DHCP scope might be 192.168.1.1 to
192.168.1.100, meaning that the server can give any of these addresses to a device that
requests one.

 A DHCP scope also includes some other settings that affect how the devices
communicate on the network, such as the subnet mask, the default gateway, and the DNS
servers.
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  Each scope is associated with a specific subnet and includes settings such as lease
duration and default gateway.
 This means that a DHCP scope is linked to a subset of a larger network, called a subnet.
A subnet is a group of devices that share a common prefix in their IP addresses. For
example, all the devices in the scope 192.168.1.1 to 192.168.1.100 belong to the subnet
192.168.1.0/24, where /24 indicates the length of the prefix. A DHCP scope also includes
settings that determine how long a device can keep an IP address (lease duration) and
how to reach other networks (default gateway).
 Reservations are optionally used to ensure that a DHCP client always receives the same
IP address.
 This means that a DHCP scope can have some exceptions, called reservations that assign
a specific IP address to a specific device. For example, a reservation might be
192.168.1.10 for a printer, meaning that the server will always give this address to the
printer and not to any other device. Reservations are useful for devices that need a fixed
IP address for identification or access purposes.
Hyper-V
 Hypervisor Technology: Hyper-V is a Type 1 hypervisor, which means it runs directly on the
hardware without a host operating system. This improves the efficiency and performance of
virtualization.
 Host Operating System: Hyper-V is available as a feature on Windows Server editions and
Windows 10 Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions. Users can enable Hyper-V on their
Windows-based systems for server or desktop virtualization.
 Virtual Machines: Hyper-V allows users to create and run multiple virtual machines (VMs)
on a single physical server. Each VM has its own operating system, applications, and
settings, and is isolated from other VMs.

 Supported Guest Operating Systems: Hyper-V supports a wide range of guest operating
systems, including various versions of Windows, Linux, and other compatible operating
systems. Users can choose the operating system that suits their needs and preferences for
each VM.
 Integration Services: Hyper-V provides Integration Services, which are drivers and services
that enhance the interaction between the host and guest operating systems.
 They include features such as improved performance, mouse integration, time
synchronization, and more.

Dynamic Memory:
Hyper-V includes Dynamic Memory, which allows the memory allocation to VMs to be adjusted
dynamically based on workload demands. This optimizes the memory usage on the host and prevents
wastage or shortage of memory resources.
 Live Migration: Hyper-V supports Live Migration, which enables the movement of running
VMs from one host to another with minimal downtime. This feature is useful for load
balancing and maintaining high availability of VMs.

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  Snapshot and Checkpoints: Hyper-V allows users to take snapshots or checkpoints of VMs at
specific points in time. This feature allows users to save the state of a VM and restore it later
if needed. It can be helpful for testing, troubleshooting, or backup purposes.
Active directory certificate services
 AD CS: A Windows Server role that provides a PKI solution for securing communication
within an organization. It issues and manages digital certificates for various security
scenarios.
 PKI: A system that uses asymmetric cryptography to bind public keys to identities of entities
(such as users, computers, or devices). It enables secure communication, authentication, and
data integrity.
 CA: A component of AD CS that validates the identity of entities and issues digital
certificates to them. It can be either Enterprise or Standalone, depending on the integration
with Active Directory.
 Certificate Templates: Definitions of the properties and purpose of digital certificates. AD
CS provides predefined and custom templates for different scenarios.

File services
 File Sharing: This is the ability to store and access files and directories across a network,
enabling collaboration and data accessibility among users and applications.
 NFS and SMB: These are two common protocols for network file sharing, each suitable for
different operating system environments (Unix/Linux and Windows, respectively).

File Servers: These are servers that host shared files and provide access to clients over a network,
with configuration options for permissions, access control, and file storage.
 File Permissions and Access Control: These are mechanisms for setting and enforcing rules
on who can read, write, or execute specific files and directories on the network.
 Distributed File Systems: These are systems that organize and manage files across multiple
servers or storage devices, providing a unified namespace and a centralized view of the files.
 File Replication: This is the process of duplicating files across multiple servers for
redundancy and fault tolerance, enhancing data availability and resilience.
 File Caching: This is the technique of storing frequently accessed files locally, reducing the
need to retrieve them from the server every time they are requested, and improving file
access speed.
 File Locking: This is the technique of preventing multiple users from simultaneously
modifying the same file, avoiding data inconsistency and corruption.
Pint services
 Print server, which is a device or software that manages and coordinates print jobs on a
network.
 The text explains the main function of a print server, which is to provide a centralized point
for controlling and directing print requests from client devices to one or more printers.
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  A print server simplifies the administration and configuration of printers and print jobs within
a network.
 Users do not need to install or update printer drivers on their devices, as they can send print
jobs to the print server, which then handles the distribution of print tasks to the appropriate
printers.
 A print server can enforce security and access policies for printers and print jobs, such as
authentication, authorization, encryption, quotas, watermarking, etc. A print server can also
monitor and audit the print activity and usage in the network, and generate reports and
statistics.
 A print server can improve the performance and reliability of printing by balancing the
network workload and avoiding printer congestion. A print server can also reduce the cost of
printing by optimizing the use of printer resources and eliminating duplicate or unnecessary
print jobs It covers the following points:
 Print Server: A role service that manages and coordinates printing tasks for multiple
printers on a network.
 Printer Sharing: A feature that enables users from different devices to send print jobs to
a central printer.
 Print Queues: A mechanism that organizes print jobs in the order they are received by
the print server.
 Printer Drivers: Software components that enable communication between the client
and the printer, ensuring that print jobs are formatted correctly.
 Network Printing Protocols: Standards that facilitate communication between client
devices and the print server, such as IPP, LPD, and SMB.
 Print Management: A tool for administrators to manage printers, print queues, and print
jobs, including monitoring, setting priorities, and configuring properties.
 Print Policies: Rules that control and manage the use of printers on the network, such as
setting quotas, restricting access, or implementing cost-saving measures.

 Print Logging and Auditing: Features that track print activities, such as monitoring
printer usage, troubleshooting problems, or generating reports.

Windows server Update Server

 WSUS: A Microsoft tool for managing updates for Microsoft products in a corporate
network. It acts as a local update repository and allows administrators to approve, distribute,
and monitor updates.
 Update Management: WSUS categorizes updates into different types, such as security,
critical, or service packs. Administrators can configure WSUS to automatically approve and
deploy specific categories of updates to client computers.
 Deployment Rings: WSUS enables administrators to organize computers into deployment
rings, which help in testing updates on a subset of computers before rolling them out to the
entire organization.
 Reporting and Monitoring: WSUS provides reporting and monitoring features that allow
administrators to track the status of updates across the network. Reports include information
on update compliance, failed installations, and update history.

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Web server(IIS)
 Internet Information Services (IIS), a web server software developed by Microsoft.
 It explains the following aspects of IIS:
 Web Server Functionality: How IIS handles web requests and delivers web content.
 HTTP and HTTPS Protocols: How IIS supports secure and unsecure web communication
using SSL/TLS encryption.
 Hosted Content Types: What types of web content IIS can host, including static and
dynamic content generated by server-side technologies.
 Application Pools: How IIS separates and isolates web applications for stability and security
purposes.
 Integration with ASP.NET: How IIS works with ASP.NET, a server-side web application
framework based on the .NET framework.
 Modular Architecture: How IIS allows administrators to customize and optimize their web
server configuration by installing only the necessary components.
 Centralized Management Console: How IIS provides a user-friendly interface for
managing and configuring server roles and features.

Routing and remote access server

 Routing and Remote Access Service (RRAS) feature in Windows Server operating systems.
 It explains that RRAS provides a range of networking services, such as routing, VPN, and
dial-up, that enable different scenarios for remote access and network interconnection.

 It also lists some key aspects of RRAS, such as:

 RRAS Multitenant Gateway: A software gateway and router that allows network traffic
routing between virtual and physical networks, including the Internet. It supports Hyper-
V Network Virtualization and VLANs, and enables VPN and NAT for tenants.
 Remote Access: A service that allows end users and sites to connect to a corporate
network or another network by using VPN or dial-up connections.
 Routing: A service that offers routing and networking capabilities for LAN-to-LAN,
LAN-to-WAN, VPN, and NAT scenarios. It supports various routing protocols and
features.
 Microsoft Azure virtualization solutions: A link to learn more about how Microsoft
Azure provides similar functionality in the cloud, such as hybrid virtualization and VPN.

3.2. Defining scope and applicability of testing

 The scope and applicability of testing are critical aspects of the software testing process that
define what will be tested, the objectives of testing, and the boundaries of the testing effort.
Here is an overview of the scope and applicability of testing:
 Scope of Testing: The scope of testing outlines the boundaries and extent of the testing
effort. It defines what aspects of the software will be tested and what will not be tested.

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  The scope typically includes:
 Functional Features: Identify the specific functionalities, features, and use cases that
will be tested. This includes both primary and secondary functions of the software.
 Non-functional Features: Identify the quality attributes, such as performance, usability,
security, and reliability, that will be tested. This includes both quantitative and qualitative
measures of the software.
 Test Levels: Identify the different levels of testing, such as unit, integration, system, and
acceptance, that will be performed. This includes the scope and objectives of each level,
as well as the dependencies and interactions between them.

 Test Types: Identify the different types of testing, such as functional, non-functional,
regression, and exploratory, that will be conducted. This includes the scope and
objectives of each type, as well as the techniques and tools used for them.
 Test Environment: Identify the hardware, software, network, and data requirements for
the testing activities.

3.3. Developing test plan

 A test plan is a document that outlines the scope, objectives, and strategy of testing a
software product.
 Entry Criteria: The conditions that must be met before testing can start, such as the
completion of development and the availability of test environments.
 Exit Criteria: The conditions that must be met for testing to be considered complete,
such as achieving a certain level of test coverage and meeting quality criteria.

 Test Schedule: The timeline for testing activities, including the start and end dates for
each testing phase, the milestones and the dependencies.
 Resource Planning: The allocation of resources for testing, such as the roles and
responsibilities of the test team, the tools and equipment needed, and the budget and
risks involved.

3.4. Running system test

System testing involves several steps, such as setting up the test environment, creating and executing
test cases, reporting and logging defects, performing regression testing, and retesting. System testing
also includes various types of testing, such as performance testing, load testing, security testing,
usability testing, etc.

3.5. Analyzing error report and making changes

 Brief description of a general process for analyzing error reports and implementing changes
in software development. It consists of three main steps:

Identifying, monitoring, and reporting errors:

 This step involves using tools and methods to detect and capture errors that occur in
software solutions, such as crashes, bugs, or performance issues.
 Error reporting tools can help provide information about the error, such as the location,
severity, frequency, and impact of the error.
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  Examples of error reporting tools are Sentry and Sauce Labs.

Understanding the root causes:

 This step involves analyzing the error reports to find out why the error occurred, what factors
contributed to it, and how it can be prevented or fixed.

 Root cause analysis can help identify the underlying problems in the code, design, logic, or
environment of the software. Examples of root cause analysis methods are defect reports and
error classification.

Making necessary changes:

 This step involves implementing solutions to correct or improve the software based on the
root cause analysis.
 Changes can include modifying the code, updating the framework, fixing the configuration,
or enhancing the functionality of the software.

 Changes should be tested and verified before deployment to ensure they work as expected
and do not introduce new errors.

3.6. Validating changes

 Process and purpose of validating changes in a system, product, or process. Here are some
elaborations and additional facts

Validation vs Verification
 Validation is different from verification, which is the process of checking whether the
system, product, or process meets the design specifications.
 Verification answers the question “Are we building the product right?” while validation
answers the question "Are we building the right product?"

Validation Methods
 There are different methods of validation depending on the type and scope of the changes.
 Some common methods include testing, inspection, analysis, simulation, demonstration, and
review.
 Each method has its own advantages and limitations, and the choice of method depends on
factors such as cost, time, risk, and complexity.

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