Windows Server 2003 Domain Setup
I just completed setting up my home testing lab. Right now I have one domain controller with Active Directory, DNS, and DHCP. I also setup a file server, a print server, and a WSUS (Windows Server Update Servies) server. All the servers are running Windows Server 2003. My next project wil be to get Microsoft Exchange up and running.
Virtualized Web Server
Just for fun, I virtualized my web server. I used CloneZilla to create a backup image of my current server. Then I uploaded that to the web server and used CloneZilla over ssh to load the image onto a virtual server. I had to rebuild the initrd file to look for the file system on a Virtual SCSI drive instead of the SATA drive it was on before, but after that it worked prefectly.
I am going to be rebuilding the web server soon so I am running it off of the ESXi host for a few weeks while I order some new hard drives to setup a RAID 1 array for better data security. Afterwards I am going to look into using rsync to setup a redundant virtualized web server as a backup for my current physical server.
Virtual Host Setup
Today I got my virtual host up and running. I plan on using it as a test environment while studying for the Microsoft certification exams. I would also like to learn more about virtualization and how it works since it has become a mainstream technology. I am running the free version of VMWare's ESXi, but I plan on also looking at Citrix's XenServer.
Specs:
Intel Core i5 750 @ 3.2Ghz (Stock 2.66Ghz)
8GB DDR3 1600Mhz RAM
640GB Western Digital Caviar Black HDD
Intel Pro 100/1000 Ethernet Card
CompTIA Network+ Certified
This past summer I took a course on Network Technologies and System Administration. It covered a wide range of topics including, TCP/IP, IPv4, IPv6, Sub-netting, Routers, Switches, Wireless Networking and Network Operating Systems. Along with some additional studying I was able to pass the Network+ exam.
I would like to eventually get a Cisco or Juniper certification, but my next goal is to pass the Security+ exam and then start working on the Microsoft Certified System Engineer courses.
Web server is up and running!
My web server is now setup. I am running Apache, MySQL, & PHP on Fedora 11, with Postfix, Dovecot, Proftpd, Webalizer, & ISPConfig control panel. I created this WordPress blog to keep track of my technical developments.