Hardware and Network Servicing

Level-III
UC2: Configure and Administer Server

Fitche, Ethiopia
 UNIT ONE: CONFIRM SERVER
SPECIFICATION
Server: is a computer program or device that
provides a service to another computer
program and its user, also known as the client
It is a computer or system that provides
resources, data, services, or programs to
other computers
Client is the receiving end of a service or the
requestor of a service in a client/server
model type of system
 Server software
At a minimum, a server requires two
software components: an operating
system and an application.
Operating system: acts as a platform for
running the server application.
It also provides the means for clients to
communicate with the server
application.
Overview of Server Operating System
• A server OS 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
 Cont…
 Server operating systems offer various benefits compared to
standard operating systems, including:-
Unlimited user connections
More memory,
Advanced network optimizations
 They facilitate the implementation of various server platforms
such as:-
 web servers
Mail servers
File servers
Database servers
Application servers
Print servers
 Windows Server 2008
• Released on February 2008
• GUI (graphical user interface) 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
Window server 2012
Edition: Foundation Edition , Essentials Edition,
Standard Edition and Datacenter Edition
 Confirming network operating system
o Network operating system (NOS) is a
specialized operating system designed to run
on network devices such as:
Routers
Switches and
Firewalls
o 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
 Cont..
• 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.
 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).
 Mail server allows users to forward and receive
emails for and from their business and controls
individual email accounts based on a specific domain.
 Cont…
File server involves a joint storage point for a
business to store documents or data a network
drive.
Database server includes database integration,
which facilitates dynamic web page building
based on the database contents.
Print server allows multiple machines to use a
single printer.
 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.
 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
Hardware
Software
Network connections.
 Cont..
• There are different types of server designs
that need to be considered when identifying
equipment.
Mainframe architecture
File sharing architecture
Client/server architecture
Web based architecture
Thin client architecture
 Blade architecture.
 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
Is a 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.
 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.
 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
 UNIT 2 VERIFY SERVER COMPATIBILITY AND INTER-
OPERABILITY
Server compatibility
• Ensuring server compatibility involves a comprehensive
evaluation of various components to guarantee seamless
integration and optimal performance.
• Firstly, confirm that the chosen CPU aligns with the
motherboard by checking the CPU socket type and
chipset compatibility.
• Verify that RAM modules are supported by both the
motherboard and CPU, taking into account factors like
RAM type, capacity, and recommended operating speeds.
 Cont…
• 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.
 Cont…
• 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.
• 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.
 Cont…
• 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
 Minimum Hardware Requirements for window server 2008 operating system
Category Minimum / Recommended Requirements

Processor • Minimum: 1.4GHz (x64 processor)

• Recommended: 2GHz or faster
Note: For Itanium based systems an Intel Itanium 2 processor is required.

Memory • Minimum: 512MB RAM

• Recommended: 2GB RAM or greater
• Maximum: 8GB (Foundation) 32GB (Standard) or 2TB (Enterprise,
Datacenter and Itanium-Based Systems)

Available Disk • Minimum: 10GB

Space • Recommended: 40GB or greater
Note: Systems with RAM in excess of 16GB will require greater amounts of
disk space to accommodate paging, hibernation, and dump files

Drive DVD-ROM drive

Display and • Super VGA or greater-resolution monitor (800x600)

Peripherals • Keyboard
• Microsoft Mouse or compatible pointing device
 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.
 Installing required OS 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.
 Cont..
• 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
 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.
 Patching operating system and applications
• Patching an operating system is a process of updating the operating
system to address security vulnerabilities, fix bugs, and introduce new
features.
• Operating system vendors regularly release updates, known as patches or
updates, to maintain the security and functionality of a computer system.
• The process of patching an operating system involves downloading and
installing the latest updates from the vendor’s website or through an
automatic update mechanism.
• It is important to keep the operating system up-to-date to ensure that it
is protected against the latest security threats and that it is functioning
optimally. Security considerations are paramount, urging users to
download from trusted sources, keep software updated, and remain
cautious about potential risks.
• Updates, support services, and different licensing models, such as
freeware or subscription-based approaches, characterize the landscape
of patching an operating system.
 UNIT 3 CONFIGURE AND TEST SERVER
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.
 Cont..
• 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. E.g. 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.
 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.
 Cont..
For example, a Group Police 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.
It 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).
• 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.
 DNS server
• 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 sub domains.
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.
 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 [Link] to [Link], 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.
• 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 [Link] to
[Link] belong to the subnet
[Link]/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 [Link]
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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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 [Link]: How IIS works with [Link], 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
• 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.
• 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.
 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.
 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.
 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.
• 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.
 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