1. Introduction
Windows Server Administration is a critical skill for IT professionals managing enterprise-level infrastructure. Microsoft’s Exam 98-365: Windows Server Administration Fundamentals was a foundational certification for beginners, validating essential skills in server management.
However, Microsoft has retired this exam and replaced it with updated certifications under the Microsoft Fundamentals or Role-Based Certifications (such as AZ-800 or MD-100). Despite its retirement, the core concepts remain relevant for aspiring server administrators.
This guide covers all the essential topics from the original exam while providing insights into modern Windows Server administration.
2. Understanding Exam 98-365 and Its Replacement
What Was Exam 98-365?
Exam 98-365 Replacement tested fundamental knowledge in:
- Server installation and configuration
- Server roles and features
- Active Directory management
- Storage solutions
- Server maintenance and troubleshooting
Why Was It Retired?
Microsoft regularly updates its certification paths to align with evolving technologies. Exam 98-365 was replaced by:
- Microsoft 365 Certified: Modern Desktop Administrator Associate (MD-100)
- Windows Server Hybrid Administrator Associate (AZ-800 & AZ-801)
Should You Still Study Its Content?
Yes! The foundational concepts remain crucial for any Windows Server administrator.
3. Key Topics Covered in Windows Server Administration Fundamentals
The exam covered six major domains:
1. Server Installation (20-25%)
2. Server Roles (20-25%)
3. Active Directory (15-20%)
4. Storage (10-15%)
5. Server Performance (10-15%)
6. Server Maintenance (15-20%)
We will explore each in detail.
4. Server Installation and Configuration
Windows Server Editions
- Windows Server Standard: For DumpsaArena physical or lightly virtualized environments.
- Windows Server Datacenter: For highly virtualized and cloud environments.
- Windows Server Essentials: For small businesses (limited to 25 users).
Installation Methods
1. Clean Installation – Using ISO or bootable USB.
2. Server Core – Minimal installation (no GUI).
3. Nano Server – Ultra-lightweight for containers and microservices.
Post-Installation Tasks
- Activating the server
- Configuring network settings
- Installing updates via Windows Update
5. Managing Server Roles and Features
Common Server Roles
- Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS) – Manages users and computers.
- DHCP Server – Assigns IP addresses automatically.
- DNS Server – Resolves domain names to IPs.
- File and Storage Services – Manages shared folders and storage.
Adding/Removing Roles
Using Server Manager or PowerShell:
powershell
Install-WindowsFeature -Name "DHCP" -IncludeManagementTools
6. Active Directory and User Management
What is Active Directory (AD)?
AD is a directory service that stores information about network resources (users, computers, printers).
Key AD Components
- Domain Controllers (DCs) – Servers running AD DS.
- Organizational Units (OUs) – Containers for organizing objects.
- Group Policy (GPO) – Enforces security and configuration settings.
Creating Users and Groups
Using Active Directory Users and Computers (ADUC) or PowerShell:
powershell
New-ADUser -Name "John Doe" -SamAccountName "johnd" -Enabled $true
7. Storage Solutions in Windows Server
Disk Types
- Basic Disk – Traditional partitions.
- Dynamic Disk – Supports advanced features like spanning and RAID.
RAID Configurations
- RAID 0 (Striping) – Improved performance (no redundancy).
- RAID 1 (Mirroring) – Data duplication for fault tolerance.
- RAID 5 (Striping with Parity) – Balances performance and redundancy.
Storage Spaces
A software-defined storage solution for pooling disks.
8. Server Performance Monitoring and Maintenance
Performance Monitoring Tools
- Task Manager – Quick system overview.
- Resource Monitor – Detailed performance metrics.
- Performance Monitor (PerfMon) – Custom performance counters.
Common Bottlenecks
- High CPU usage
- Low memory (RAM)
- Disk I/O latency
- Network congestion
9. Windows Server Security Best Practices
Key Security Measures
- Implementing Firewalls (Windows Defender Firewall)
- Patch Management (WSUS or SCCM)
- User Access Control (UAC) – Restricts admin privileges.
- BitLocker Encryption – Secures data at rest.
Security Compliance
Use Security Compliance Manager (SCM) to enforce policies.
10. Networking Services and Protocols
Essential Networking Protocols
- TCP/IP – Core communication protocol.
- DHCP – Automatic IP assignment.
- DNS – Domain name resolution.
- HTTP/HTTPS – Web traffic.
Configuring Network Settings
Using Network and Sharing Center or PowerShell:
powershell
Set-NetIPAddress -InterfaceAlias "Ethernet" -IPAddress "192.168.1.10" -PrefixLength 24
11. Virtualization and Hyper-V Basics
What is Hyper-V?
Microsoft’s virtualization Exam 98-365 Replacement platform for running multiple VMs on a single host.
Creating a Virtual Machine (VM)
1. Open Hyper-V Manager.
2. Click New → Virtual Machine.
3. Follow the wizard to configure CPU, RAM, and storage.
Benefits of Virtualization
- Cost savings (fewer physical servers)
- Better disaster recovery (snapshots)
- Easy scalability
12. Disaster Recovery and Backup Solutions
Windows Server Backup
A built-in tool for backing up critical data.
Backup Strategies
- Full Backup – Complete system backup.
- Incremental Backup – Only changed files since last backup.
- Differential Backup – All changes since last full backup.
Disaster Recovery Plan
- Regular backups
- Test restores
- Offsite storage
13. Why Choose Dumpsarena for Exam Preparation?
If you're preparing for the Windows Server Administration Fundamentals exam (or its replacement), Dumpsarena is an excellent resource.
Benefits of Dumpsarena:
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Detailed Explanations – Ensures you understand concepts, not just memorize answers.
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24/7 Customer Support – Assistance whenever you need it.
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14. Conclusion
While Exam 98-365 has been retired, its foundational concepts remain crucial for Windows Server administrators. This guide covered essential topics like:
Server installation & roles
Active Directory & security
Storage & virtualization
Performance monitoring & backups
For the best exam preparation, Dumpsarena provides reliable study materials to help you succeed.
Start your journey to becoming a Windows Server Administrator today!
Get Accurate & Authentic 500+ Exam 98-365 Replacement
1. Which of the following is a primary purpose of Active Directory (AD)?
A) To manage and secure network printers
B) To provide centralized management of users, computers, and resources
C) To act as a web server for hosting company websites
D) To replace the need for DNS in a Windows network
2. What is the default port number for HTTP traffic?
A) 443
B) 80
C) 21
D) 3389
3. Which PowerShell cmdlet is used to create a new user in Active Directory?
A) New-ADUser
B) Add-ADAccount
C) Create-ADUser
D) Set-ADUser
4. What type of storage configuration provides fault tolerance by writing data across multiple disks with parity?
A) RAID 0
B) RAID 1
C) RAID 5
D) RAID 10
5. Which Windows Server feature allows a single server to host multiple virtual machines?
A) Hyper-V
B) Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS)
C) Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP)
D) Windows Defender
