I will be starting an MVP-targeted course on Windows Server 2008 on August 1st. This is something Microsoft offers to the MVPs and I will be monitoring that class. If you're interested in the MVP program, there are details at http://mvp.support.microsoft.com. The course uses Microsoft eLearning, plus discussions via private newsgroups for Q&A.

We're using the first five courses of Collection 6041: Upgrading Your Windows Server 2003 MCSE Technical Skills to Windows Server 2008, described at https://www.microsoftelearning.com/eLearning/offerDetail.aspx?offerPriceId=125766. Here’s some additional detail on what’s included in each of the five courses, which are all still in Beta at this point:

1) Course 6042: Windows Server 2008 Installation and Management

  • Installing Windows Server 2008
    • Prerequisites for Installing Windows Server 2008
    • Phases of Setting Up Windows Server 2008
    • Initial Configuration Tasks
    • How To Complete Initial Configuration Tasks
    • What Is Server Manager?
    • How To Work with Server Manager
  • Adding Server Roles and Features
    • What Are Server Roles?
    • What Are Server Features?
    • How To Install Server Roles and Server Features
  • Implementing Windows Server 2008 Server Core
    • What Is Server Core?
    • Advantages and Disadvantages of Server Core Installation
    • Initial Configuration Tasks in Server Core Installation
    • Options for Managing Server Core
  • Monitoring Windows Server 2008
    • What Is Windows Reliability and Performance Monitor?
    • How To Monitor Performance by Using Data Collector Sets
    • Features of the Resources View Tool
    • Features of the Reliability Monitor Tool
    • How To Use Additional Monitoring Tools in Windows Server 2008

 2) Course 6043: Windows Server 2008 Directory Domain Services

  • Configuring AD DS
    • The Process of Installing Domain Controllers
    • How To Manage the AD DS Role
    • How To Audit Changes to Domain Services
    • What Are Restartable AD DS?
    • Active Directory Functional Levels
  • Implementing RODCs
    • Features of RODCs
    • Guidelines for Deploying RODCs
    • Requirements for Implementing RODCs
    • Options for Configuring Password Replication Policies
    • Options for Administering RODCs
    • How To Manage RODCs
  • Backing up and Restoring AD DCs
    • Features of AD DC Backup and Recovery
    • How To Back Up AD DCs
    • The Process of Recovering AD DC Data

3) Course 6044: Windows Server 2008 Directory Identities and Access

  • Implementing Active Directory Lightweight Directory Services
    • What Is AD LDS?
    • Scenarios for Using AD LDS
    • How To Manage Directory Partitions in AD LDS
    • How To Manage AD LDS Objects
  • Implementing Active Directory Federation Services
    • What Is ADFS?
    • Prerequisites for Deploying ADFS
    • How ADFS Works in a Business-to-Business Scenario
    • Components of ADFS
    • Configuration Tasks in ADFS
    • How To Implement ADFS Claims
  • Implementing Active Directory Rights Management Services
    • What Is AD RMS?
    • Components of AD RMS Architecture
    • Message Flow Process in AD RMS
    • How To Implement the AD RMS Server Role

4) Course 6045: Windows Server 2008 Internet Information Server 7

  • Administering the IIS 7.0 Server Role
    • Benefits of the IIS 7.0 Server Role
    • How To Install Modules in IIS 7.0
    • Features of the Administrative Tools in IIS 7.0
    • Features of IIS Manager
    • How To Configure Web Sites and Web Applications by Using IIS 7.0
  • Managing and Troubleshooting IIS 7.0
    • Configuration Files in IIS 7.0
    • Options for Replicating Settings Between Servers
    • How To Delegate IIS 7.0 Administrator Permissions
    • Options for Managing Security in IIS 7.0
    • Options for Troubleshooting IIS 7.0
  • Administering Windows Media Server
    • How To Install and Configure Windows Media Server
    • How To Configure Basic Streaming Solutions in Windows Media Server
    • Configuring Advanced Streaming Solutions in Windows Media Server
    • Options for Configuring Security in Windows Media Server
    • Process for Configuring High Availability for Windows Media Server

5) Course 6046: Windows Server 2008 Network Infrastructure

  • Overview of Network Infrastructure Features in Windows Server 2008
    • Important Features of the Next Generation TCP/IP Stack
    • Overview of Enhanced Support for IPv6
    • Process for Implementing IPv6
    • DNS Enhancements in Windows Server 2008
    • How to Implement DHCP and DNS for IP version 6 in Windows Server 2008
    • What Are Quality of Service Policies?
  • Implementing Network Policy Server in Windows Server 2008
    • Overview of NPS
    • How NPS Provides Network Security
    • How the NPS Provides Wireless Security
    • How To Configure NPS to Implement VPN Remote Access
  • Implementing Windows Deployment Services
    • Important Features of Windows Server 2008 Deployment
    • How Does Windows Deployment Services Work?
    • Multicast Support in Windows Deployment Services
    • Managing Images by Using ImageX
    • Process for Installing Windows Deployment Services
    • How To Configure Windows Deployment Services