Server+ Courses

Server+ Course Introduction

The CompTIA Server+ certification is a vendor-neutral designation for mid-level and upper-level technicians who are responsible for hardware functionality of computers at a level that is more sophisticated than entry level. This certification validates a wide range of skills candidates require for positions as server hardware specialist. They are responsible for planning, installing, configuring, maintaining and troubleshooting complex server systems.
This course combines lessons, exercises, and labs within an online environment, combined with a corresponding course book. This course book will assist the student during class, and will serve as a valuable resource when the student returns to the office or home. Appendices are included to provide additional information.

Of Interest To

Those individuals interested in pursuing a career in IT, related to server hardware specialist. Also of interest to those wishing to obtain the CompTIA Server+ Certification.

Course Aim

Server+ course is designated to help prepare students to take the CompTIA Server+ certification exam (SK0-002).
Server+ is a certification that validates an individual’s knowledge of advanced hardware issues. The first certification of its kind in the marketplace, it helps individuals certify their advanced technical knowledge of planning, installing, configuring, and maintaining servers. Major vendors have formally endorsed Server+ as a prerequisite for working with their hardware.

Course Notes

Course manual provides for ongoing reference. Upon completion of the course, there is a final Online Exam. Participants who achieve 75% or greater on this exam will receive an Academy Of Learning Certificate.
Microsoft has selected CompTIA certifications (A+/Network+ combo or A+/Server+ combo) as an alternative to passing an elective exam in the Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA) on Windows 2003 certification.

Course Prerequisites

A+ Certification

Certification Path

Industry Certification

Server+

Suitable for proceeding to vendor-specific, advanced server hardware certification programs.

Server+ Course Breakdown

Lesson 9: (Objectives: Server+)

Plan the installation; Verify the installation, power sources, space, UPS, and network availability; Verify that all correct components have been delivered; Recognize and report on physical security issues; Limit access to server room and backup tapes, and ensure physical locks exist on doors; Recognize and report on server room environmental issues (temperature, humidity/ESD/power surges, back-up generator/fire suppression/flood considerations).

Lesson 10: (Objectives: Server+)

Install hardware using ESD best practices; Mount the rack installation; Verify SCSI ID configuration and termination; Install external devices; Verify power-on via power-on sequence.

Lesson 11: (Objectives: Server+)

Perform shutdown across various operating systems.

Lesson 12: (Objectives: Server+)

Conduct pre-installation planning activities.

Lesson 13: (Objectives: Server+)

Check/upgrade BIOS/firmware levels (system board, RAID controller, hard drive, etc.); Configure RAID, and install NOS; Configure external peripherals (UPS, etc.); Install NOS updates to design specifications; Update manufacturer specific drivers; Install service tools; Document the configuration.

Lesson 18: (Objectives: Server+)

Install Service Tools (SNMP, backup software, system monitoring agents, event logs, etc.); Perform server baseline; Document the configuration; Develop the server management plan; Identify the purpose and function of the Desktop Management Interface; Install service tools.

Lesson 19: (Objectives: Server+)

Perform regular backup; Create baseline and compare performance; Set SNMP thresholds; Perform hardware verification; Establish remote notification.

Lesson 20: (Objectives: Server+)

Perform and verify full backup; Add processors, and hard drives; Increase memory; Upgrade BIOS/firmware, adapters (e.g., NICs, SCSI cards, RAID, etc.), peripheral devices (internal and external), system monitoring agents, service tools (e.g., diagnostic tools, EISA configuration, diagnostic partition, SSU, etc.), and UPS; Configure external peripherals

Lesson 22: (Objectives: Server+)

Perform problem determination; Determine if a problem is hardware, software, or virus related; Use diagnostic hardware and software tools and utilities; Identify bottlenecks; Identify and correct misconfigurations and/or upgrades.

Lesson 23: (Objectives: Server+)

Plan for redundancy (e.g., hard drives, power supplies, fans, NICs, processor, UPS); Use the technique of hot swap, warm swap, and hot spare to ensure availability; Use the concepts of fault tolerance/fault recovery to create a disaster recovery plan; Develop disaster recovery plan; Identify types of backup and restoration schemes; Confirm and use off site storage for backup; Document and test disaster recovery plan regularly, and update as needed; Demonstrate restoring (identify hardware replacements, identify hot and cold swaps, implement disaster recovery plan).

Method of Delivery

Online training supported by Academy of Learning College facilitators or online instructors.