SYSTEM ADMINISTRATOR LEARNING PATH

System Administrator Programme

A structured operations course covering Windows Server, Active Directory, DNS, DHCP, file services, PowerShell, virtualization, Linux, backup, monitoring and commissioning.

Who this is for

Someone who supports or will support business servers and users. Beginner networking knowledge helps, but each major server concept is explained before the deeper work.

How to use it

Follow the modules in order the first time. Return later by subject when you need a field reference.

End goal

You should be able to understand, deploy, operate, troubleshoot and document a small to medium business server environment.

Phase 1: Understand the environment

Start with the architecture before touching production systems.

Modern server architecturePhysical hosts, server roles, virtualization and why businesses separate workloads.FOUNDATION

Windows Server and Active DirectoryDomains, users, computers, identity, DNS and Group Policy in one operating model.FOUNDATION

PowerShell administrationMove from clicking through consoles to repeatable, auditable administration.PRACTICAL

Server hardware managementUse iDRAC/iLO style out-of-band management and understand what it gives an administrator.PRACTICAL

Phase 2: Core Windows services

These are the services users depend on every working day.

Active Directory, DNS and Group PolicySee how sign-in, name resolution and policy depend on one another.CORE

Windows DHCP ServerScopes, leases, options, reservations and relay from an administrator perspective.CORE

Windows file server, SMB and NTFSShares, NTFS permissions, groups and the difference between share and filesystem access.CORE

Certificate Services and PKIUnderstand certificates, trust, templates and why internal PKI exists.CORE

FSMO rolesWhat the special AD roles do and when their location actually matters.AD

AD replication troubleshootingDiagnose replication instead of treating every domain-controller problem as DNS magic.TROUBLESHOOTING

Domain trustsUnderstand when separate domains or forests need controlled identity relationships.AD

Phase 3: Virtualization, Linux and applications

A modern administrator rarely manages only Windows.

Hyper-V host deploymentBuild a Windows virtualization host and understand host versus guest responsibilities.LAB

Virtual machine networking and storageConnect VMs correctly to switching, storage and production networks.LAB

Linux fundamentals for infrastructureLearn where Linux fits beside Windows in a mixed business environment.LINUX

Samba file servicesUnderstand Windows-compatible file sharing from a Linux server.LINUX

Apache and Nginx web serversUnderstand web-server roles and how sites are published.LINUX

Virtual hostsRun multiple websites on one web server and understand name-based routing.LAB

Docker and containersLearn how containers differ from full virtual machines and where they help operations.MODERN OPS

Phase 4: Keep it running

Administration is not complete until recovery, monitoring and handover are proven.

Windows Server backup and recoveryDesign recovery around business needs, not around whether a backup job says successful.RECOVERY

Backup, snapshots and replicationUnderstand why these are different controls and where each belongs.RECOVERY

SNMP, syslog and NTP monitoringCollect evidence, centralize logs and keep clocks consistent.OPERATIONS

Server commissioningProve hardware, firmware, networking, storage, monitoring and recovery before production.FINAL LAB

By the end of this programme

☑ Explain how identity, DNS, DHCP, file services and Group Policy fit together.

☑ Use PowerShell as part of normal administration rather than only emergency scripting.

☑ Understand host, VM, storage and network responsibilities in a virtual environment.

☑ Operate basic Linux services alongside Windows infrastructure.

☑ Design backup around actual recovery requirements.

☑ Commission and document a server so another administrator can support it.

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