System administration windows 2003 server best practices

While these are the most important tasks a sysadmin is responsible for, there is much more to the role than the duties on this list. The sysadmin is always a single point of content SPOC in the data center or network operations center for issues related to web hosting, application and server outages, and other critical IT operations problems. What other tasks or best practices do you think are essential for sysadmins? Please share your opinion in the comments.

For example, "Maintain lists of your servers? Even a small shop has too many devices to manage by hand any more. Besides, what about the need to maintain container images that are deployed to third party services? A far better recommendation would be, "Learn how to use auto-discovery tools and how to integrate them with your CMDB. Automation -- " Learn to use tools like Ansible instead of doing any task by hand. Learn how to use version control systems like git to manage your playbooks, config files, scripts, etc.

The point I'm trying to make here is that the world of IT is changing incredibly rapidly. Agile and DevOps practices are penetrating into every organization.

The practices that are outlined in this article simply don't align with that new world. Sysadmins have to adapt if they are going to remain relevant. Thanks for the feedback. And the System Admin on client locations must have to follow the instructions from the client with constraints and minimum tools and resources.

Like, in many organizations the Patching is manual and in some patching may be automated. Autodiscovery tools are an option but inventory can be done simply by exporting the data from Virtual environment like VMware and same can be done for physical servers.

Still there are multiple organizations, which are not using containeraized environment, Instead they are using private cloud only. Integration, autodiscovery, what to use, how to use, when to use are only decided by customer and the System Admin must have to bind and follow the Instructions to make the things better with his best effort. So, the point is, that the article is general for 'To Dos' as a System Admin, it is not for specific or customized environment.

How to do can only be decided by Service provider and Customer agreements by keeping the view of limitations of resources. I both agree and disagree with you. However, to write an article such as this without mentioning what is happening to the industry and the transformative affect it is having on the job leaves the reader with at best an incomplete picture. For example, I work for a fairly large U. At that, we're very late to the game with many of our competitors and suppliers years ahead of us.

In other words, I think that any article about sysadmin practices that doesn't discuss the impact of the truly transformative shift in the way that they will be doing their jobs in the very near future is doing the readers a disservice. You are just concentrating on only 1 side of a coin. System Administration is not only Deveops. It is much more than Deveops. System administrator responsibilities: 9 critical tasks Opensource.

Sysadmins are responsible for a wide range of duties, but these are the most essential. Image by :. Get the highlights in your inbox every week. Documentation Documentation is how sysadmins keep records of assets, including hardware and software types, counts, and licenses. Software inventory Configured applications: e. If an Apache web server is hosting multiple sites instead of putting all virtual host configurations into one large configuration file put each site's virtual host configuration into its own separate configuration file.

Collect these site specific configuration files into a sub-folder e. In the main configuration file httpd. Within the sub-folder place the site specific configuration files e. Future changes to a given site's configuration can now be done with minimal impact to the other sites. NET Framework is fully integrated and saves developers from writing "plumbing" code so that they can focus their efforts immediately on writing code.

The addition of Resultant Set of Policy reporting and scripting means that now you're able to model settings in a test domain before copying the policy objects to production domains in your enterprise.

With the new volume shadow copy service, users can retrieve previous versions of files from servers instantly, without requiring you to dig through backup tapes. We've greatly enhanced the command-line functionality in the Windows Server family and added "headless server" capabilities that allow IT administrators to install and manage a computer without a monitor, VGA display adaptor, keyboard, or mouse.

And we ship it with ready-to-use scripts. Software Update Services collects new updates from Microsoft as they are released and automatically deploys the ones you approve to clients and servers. And this is just a sample of what Windows Server offers to clear the way for you to add more value for users. Deploying Windows Server is like drafting the right players, suiting themup with the right equipment, and giving them the home rink advantage. Now all you need to maintain a winning style is a great coach and playbook to guide you through using the tools and resources in the right combination at the right times.

In The Ultimate Windows Server System Administrator's Guide , coaches Williams and Walla describe best practices for designing and deploying the Active Directory, sharing and securing network resources, getting users connected no matter where they are, and managing and maintaining Windows Server servers in your enterprise. This book will be a supportive resource to help you know how to use the tools and features Microsoft shipped, but even better, it guides you through enough of the product internals to approach administration more strategically.

A good coach tells you what to do to win; a great coach helps you develop the skills to win on your own. Enjoy this great book. Download the Index file related to this title. The fundamental differences between Windows Server and its predecessor Windows reside in its embrace of the Microsoft. NET framework, tightened security features, improved scalability, and enhanced administrative tools.

While explored later, the. NET framework deserves special mention since it propels the Windows environment into a transparent Internet services-based operating system. Page 7, Table 1. Chapter 3: Planning and Installation Page Figure 3. A conscious decision must be made to lower predefined settings. The assumption is that access to Internet and intranet sites are achieved on a zone basis in which Trusted sites are added by the administrator or the client user. You should add the Web page that hosts the application to the Trusted sites zone when you want to run a browser-based client application over the Internet.

Running a browser-based client application over a protected and secure local intranet requires adding the Web page that hosts the application to the Local intranet zone. A new usability feature is Shadow Copies of Shared Folders that provides for the remote storage and retrieval of files that may be damaged or lost on a local system. Shadow Copies of Shared Folders allow a user to access shared files and folders as they existed in the past.

This affords not only an ability to compare earlier documents but it provides an excellent means for file recovery. Group Policy tools are commonly used for deployment. Client views of shadow copies are accessed through the Previous Versions tab of the Properties dialog box of the shared file or folder. The minimum amount of storage space that can be specified is megabytes MB.

Older versions when the storage limit is reached. There is a limit of 64 shadow copies that can be stored on a volume. Chapter 5: Active Directory Page after Note add another Note Because of the room in the last page of this chapter, you should be able to get this in with pagination problems. NOTE: When connecting to domain controllers running Windows precautions must be taken to insure that signing LDAP traffic guarantees packaged data comes from a known source.

We strongly recommended that all Windows domain controllers be upgraded to Service Pack 3 or later in order to add these security functions. I would like to receive exclusive offers and hear about products from InformIT and its family of brands. I can unsubscribe at any time. Pearson Education, Inc. This privacy notice provides an overview of our commitment to privacy and describes how we collect, protect, use and share personal information collected through this site.

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Automating with Ansible LiveLessons. Getting Started with Kubernetes LiveLessons. Add To My Wish List. Book Sorry, this book is no longer in print. Not for Sale. About Features The ultimate guide to the new Windows. Table of Contents Preface. Understanding the. NET Administrative Roles. Scope of Responsibility.

NET Structure and Architecture. Structural Modes, Subsystems, and Managers. NET Processes. Stored and Virtual Memory. The Boot Process. Viewing Application Dependencies. Application Compatibility. IntelliMirror and Other Innovations. Planning and Installation. Logical and Physical Structures. Planning for Windows and NT Upgrades. Device Driver Management.