Overview/Description
New Group Policy features in Windows Server 2008 allow for improved centralized management and configuration of computers in an Active Directory (AD) environment. Group Policy Management Console (GPMC) version 2 is a built-in feature in Windows Server 2008 and includes new templates, new import and export options, and a new Starter Group Policy Object (GPO) container that can be used to store a collection of administrative settings to create a baseline object for future group policy object creation. This course explores group policy deployment along with policy auditing, inheritance, and delegation, and is one in a series that covers the objectives for Microsoft exam 70-640: TS: Windows Server 2008 Active Directory, Configuring. Passing this exam completes the requirements for the MCTS: Windows Server 2008 Active Directory, Configuration certification, and counts as credit towards the following certifications: Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP): Enterprise Administrator, and the Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP): Server Administrator, since both MCITPs are certifications that require more than one exam.

Target Audience
The audience for this path includes administrators who are rolling out and supporting Windows Server 2008 in the enterprise. The audience also includes individuals seeking certification on Microsoft’s new generation server platform.

Prerequisites
As an exam prerequisite, any candidate should have a minimum of one year of experience implementing and administering a network operating system in an environment that has the following characteristics: • 250 to 5,000 or more users • three or more physical locations • three or more domain controllers • network services and resources such as messaging, a database, file and print, a proxy server, a firewall, the Internet, an intranet, remote access, and client computer management • connectivity requirements such as connecting branch offices and individual users in remote locations to the corporate network and connecting corporate networks to the Internet

Expected Duration (hours)
2.0

Lesson Objectives

Group Policy Objects Strategy in Windows Server 2008
# create and edit a GPO
# recognize the features of GPO administrative templates
# recognize the features of GPO security templates
# deploy software using Group Policy
# configure software packages
# create a GPO
# block GPO inheritance
# deploy a software package
# customize the GPMC
# configure administrative templates
# configure security settings for AD GPOs
# configure audit policies for event categories
# customize a GPMC
# configure a GPO
# configure an audit policy