Let me just start by saying I am ready to move on from a help desk position and advance my career. I have Cisco CCENT and CompTIA A+ certifications, and about halfway done studying for Network+. I have basically no experience with Windows Servers and am wanting to setup a domain environment at home to learn, learn, learn.
I'm wanting to learn about VMware, AD, exchange, setting up DNS and DHCP, and any other necessary features that can be done through Windows Server. I know this won't be easy, and I will run into many issues, but I am willing to put in the time and I think this would be a great step in learning.
1) Does anyone have any recommendations on what Server version I should use (I assume 2008R2 or 2012?
2) I am going to build a new PC anyways as it's been 5 years since doing so. I will run Windows Server from my old PC (which is actually still quite fast - just needs more RAM for virtualization). Anything I might be missing hardware wise on this PC?
3) Any other recommendations of what I should learn about dealing with Windows Server?
I just want to thank you guys in advance for reading and replying!
I'm wanting to learn about VMware, AD, exchange, setting up DNS and DHCP, and any other necessary features that can be done through Windows Server. I know this won't be easy, and I will run into many issues, but I am willing to put in the time and I think this would be a great step in learning.
1) Does anyone have any recommendations on what Server version I should use (I assume 2008R2 or 2012?
2) I am going to build a new PC anyways as it's been 5 years since doing so. I will run Windows Server from my old PC (which is actually still quite fast - just needs more RAM for virtualization). Anything I might be missing hardware wise on this PC?
3) Any other recommendations of what I should learn about dealing with Windows Server?
I just want to thank you guys in advance for reading and replying!