Question 1

In a multi-domain Windows 2000 Active Directory forest, you decide to add a new global catalog server in one of your sites to improve logon performance and query speed. Which administrative tool should you use to configure an existing domain control…

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Introduction / Context: In Windows 2000 Active Directory, a global catalog (GC) server holds a partial, searchable replica of objects from all domains in the forest. Placing a global catalog server in each site can significantly improve logon performance and enable efficient directory searches. Knowing which administrative tool is used to designate a domain controller as a global catalog server is fundamental for directory planning and troubleshooting. Given Data / Assumptions: The environment uses Windows 2000 Server and Active Directory. There are multiple domains and at least one Active Directory site. You want to configure an existing domain controller to act as a global catalog server. You must choose among common graphical tools such as Active Directory Users and Computers and Active Directory Sites and Services. Concept / Approach: Global catalog configuration is closely tied to the site topology and replication settings of Active Directory. The tool that manages sites, subnets, site links and domain controller roles within each site is Active Directory Sites and Services. This console allows you to edit the properties of an NTDS Settings object for a domain controller and enables the global catalog role. Other tools, such as Active Directory Users and Computers, focus on objects like users, groups and computers, but do not expose the check box to make a server a global catalog. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify where global catalog configuration is defined. The GC role is configured on the NTDS Settings object associated with a domain controller.Step 2: Determine which console exposes NTDS Settings for each server. Active Directory Sites and Services is the tool that displays sites, servers and NTDS Settings objects.Step 3: In Active Directory Sites and Services, expand the site, expand the Servers container, and select the target domain controller.Step 4: Right click the NTDS Settings object for that domain controller and open Properties.Step 5: On the General tab, check the option that designates the server as a global catalog server.Step 6: Conclude that Active Directory Sites and Services is the correct tool from the options provided. Verification / Alternative check: If you open Active Directory Users and Computers and review the domain controller object properties, you will not find an option to enable or disable the global catalog role. Similarly, the Network and Dial-up Connections folder deals with network interface configuration, and the System application in Control Panel focuses on general system properties. Only Active Directory Sites and Services displays the logical site structure and allows modification of the NTDS Settings object, confirming that it is the proper tool for this task. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Active Directory Users and Computers is used primarily to manage domain objects such as users, groups, computers and organizational units, and does not configure global catalog roles. The Network and Dial-up Connections folder is for IP configuration and connections, not directory roles. The System application provides information about hardware and performance but does not deal with Active Directory topology or global catalog settings. Therefore, none of these can be used to designate a global catalog server. Common Pitfalls: A typical error is to assume that all Active Directory related tasks can be performed in Active Directory Users and Computers because it is the console administrators use most frequently. Another pitfall is forgetting that the global catalog is associated with sites and replication, not just with individual domain controllers. Remembering that site related configuration is done in Active Directory Sites and Services makes this and similar exam questions easier to solve. Final Answer: The correct tool to configure a domain controller as a global catalog server is Active Directory Sites and Services.

Question 2

You are running the Configure DNS Server Wizard on a Windows 2000 DNS server and you plan to create a root zone so that this server becomes a DNS root server. Under which condition will the wizard not allow you to configure this Windows 2000 DNS ser…

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Introduction / Context: Domain Name System (DNS) is the core naming service for Windows 2000 networks and the Internet. A DNS root server hosts the root zone, which is the starting point of name resolution. In Windows 2000, the Configure DNS Server Wizard simplifies initial setup, but it also enforces certain restrictions to prevent misconfiguration. One such restriction is related to when you can configure a DNS server as a root server. Given Data / Assumptions: You are using Windows 2000 Server with the DNS service installed. You are running the Configure DNS Server Wizard. You wish to configure the server as a root DNS server by creating a root zone. The server may or may not be connected to the public Internet. Concept / Approach: In practice, DNS root servers for the public Internet are a special set of servers managed by designated organizations. Microsoft does not want administrators to accidentally configure a general purpose DNS server connected to the Internet as an authoritative root for the entire namespace. Therefore, the wizard refuses to create a root zone on a DNS server that is connected to the Internet. Windows 2000 expects internal private root configurations only on isolated or non Internet facing servers. The presence of Active Directory, dynamic IP addresses or forwarder relationships does not by themselves prevent configuration as a root server in the way the exam describes. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Understand that a DNS root server hosts the dot zone, written simply as ".".Step 2: Recognize that configuring a root server on a machine that is also connected to the Internet could cause serious name resolution conflicts.Step 3: Examine each condition. Active Directory on the DNS server is a common configuration for Active Directory integrated zones and does not prevent root zone creation in an internal context.Step 4: Having a dynamic IP address is not ideal for DNS, but the wizard restriction described in the exam focuses on Internet connectivity and potential conflict with public roots.Step 5: Serving as a forwarder or being used by other servers as a forwarder does not in itself prevent root zone creation.Step 6: The exam objective clearly states that when the DNS server is connected to the Internet, the Configure DNS Server Wizard will not allow configuration as a root server. Verification / Alternative check: Documentation and practice questions about Windows 2000 DNS make this point explicit. Internal root servers are typically used in isolated networks that do not rely on public root servers. The wizard effectively assumes that a server with Internet connectivity should use the existing Internet root infrastructure instead of attempting to override it. This behavior helps prevent accidental disruption of name resolution for clients that might depend on Internet resources. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Installing Active Directory on the DNS server is a standard deployment for domain controllers and does not on its own stop you from creating a root zone. Dynamic IP addresses present manageability issues but are not the specific condition the wizard checks for in this context. The fact that another server uses this DNS server as a forwarder is a normal design choice and does not prohibit root configuration. Only Internet connectivity triggers the wizard restriction described in the question. Common Pitfalls: Many candidates confuse internal private forest root configurations with public root servers and assume any special configuration requires the absence of Active Directory. Others focus too heavily on IP addressing modes, thinking that a dynamic address always blocks advanced DNS roles. The key idea is to separate internal non Internet connected environments, where you can safely run a root zone, from Internet connected servers, where you should rely on public root servers and avoid conflicting root authority. Final Answer: The Configure DNS Server Wizard will not permit root server configuration when the DNS server is connected to the Internet.

Question 3

Your Windows 2000 forest contains the domains acme1.com and acme2.com. You want to move the existing Philadelphia organizational unit (OU) from the acme1.com domain to the acme2.com domain while preserving its users and groups. Which command line to…

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Introduction / Context: In Windows 2000 Active Directory, it is sometimes necessary to restructure your directory by moving organizational units (OUs) and their contents between domains in the same forest. This process is called an interdomain move. Microsoft provides a specific command line tool that supports moving entire OUs, including users and groups, across domains without having to recreate them manually. Given Data / Assumptions: The forest contains at least two domains: acme1.com and acme2.com. You have an existing OU named Philadelphia in the acme1.com domain. You want to move the Philadelphia OU into the acme2.com domain. The move should preserve objects such as user and group accounts. Concept / Approach: Windows 2000 includes the MoveTree utility for restructuring Active Directory between domains in the same forest. MoveTree.exe supports moving OUs, as well as individual users and groups, from one domain to another, while retaining security identifiers where possible. Standard command line tools like the generic move command are used for file system operations, not directory objects. Graphical tools such as Active Directory Domains and Trusts manage trust relationships but do not perform cross domain moves of OUs. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify the type of operation. You are performing an interdomain move of an OU within a single Active Directory forest.Step 2: Recall the Microsoft utility specifically designed for Active Directory restructuring. MoveTree.exe is included with Windows 2000 support tools for this purpose.Step 3: Recognize that the standard move command deals only with file and directory movement at the file system level, not with Active Directory OUs.Step 4: Note that Server Extensions Administrator is not a standard Windows 2000 Active Directory tool for moving OUs.Step 5: Understand that Active Directory Domains and Trusts is used to create and manage trust relationships between domains, and does not move OUs between domains.Step 6: Conclude that MoveTree.exe is the correct tool to move the Philadelphia OU from acme1.com to acme2.com. Verification / Alternative check: Official documentation and MCSE study materials describe MoveTree.exe as the supported mechanism for moving OUs between domains in Windows 2000. Sample commands demonstrate specifying a source domain, destination domain and the distinguished names of the OU to be moved. No other built in graphical tool supports this type of cross domain OU relocation, which reinforces the conclusion that MoveTree.exe is required for this scenario. Why Other Options Are Wrong: The generic move command line utility operates on files and folders, not Active Directory objects. Server Extensions Administrator is not an Active Directory restructuring tool. Active Directory Domains and Trusts helps you define trusts and manage domain wide settings but cannot move OUs from one domain to another. Therefore, these alternatives do not meet the needs of the question. Common Pitfalls: Administrators sometimes assume that they can drag and drop an OU between domains using a graphical console, but Windows 2000 does not support this directly. Others forget that cross domain moves require special planning, including permissions and possible password issues for user accounts. Relying on the correct tool, MoveTree.exe, reduces the risk of data loss and ensures that the move is logged and controlled. Final Answer: The correct tool to move the Philadelphia OU between the acme1.com and acme2.com domains is MoveTree.exe.

Question 4

In a multi-domain Windows 2000 Active Directory forest, you want to use a single security group to organise and manage users from several domains who perform similar job tasks so that you can assign permissions once to that group. What type of group…

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Introduction / Context: Active Directory in Windows 2000 supports different group scopes to help administrators manage permissions in multi domain environments. Choosing the correct group scope is critical for flexible and scalable access control. When users with the same job role exist in multiple domains, you may want to place them into one group and then assign permissions to that group rather than to individual users across domains. Given Data / Assumptions: The environment is a Windows 2000 Active Directory forest with multiple domains. Users performing similar tasks exist in different domains. You want to use a single group to organize these users and assign permissions. The group must be able to contain members from multiple domains. Concept / Approach: Windows 2000 defines three main group scopes: global, domain local and universal. Global groups primarily contain users from the same domain and can be granted permissions in any domain. Domain local groups can include members from any trusted domain but their permissions are applied only within their own domain. Universal groups can include users and global groups from any domain in the forest and can be granted permissions anywhere in the forest. For a single group that can include users from multiple domains, the universal group scope is the appropriate choice. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify the requirement that the group must contain users from several domains.Step 2: Recall that global groups can only contain accounts from their own domain, so they do not satisfy the requirement alone.Step 3: Understand that domain local groups can contain members from multiple domains but are used to assign permissions within a single domain, not to act as a single organizing group for the entire forest.Step 4: Determine that universal groups are designed exactly for forest wide membership, allowing accounts from any domain in the forest.Step 5: Recognize that built in special groups such as Everyone or Authenticated Users are not suitable as custom security groups for specific job roles.Step 6: Conclude that a universal group is the best choice for organizing users from multiple domains. Verification / Alternative check: Best practice in multi domain environments often follows the A G U D L P model: place user Accounts in Global groups, nest them into Universal groups (where appropriate), then place universal groups into Domain Local groups and assign Permissions. In this pattern, universal groups serve as forest wide containers for similar users. This aligns perfectly with the requirement in the question to use a single group across domains. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Global groups cannot include users from different domains; they are limited to accounts in their own domain. Domain Local groups can include members from multiple domains but are intended for resource access in a single domain rather than for global organisation of users. Built in special groups are predefined and not meant to represent specific job roles or to be managed as custom security groups. Common Pitfalls: Many students confuse where group membership comes from versus where permissions are assigned. It is easy to mix up the rules for global, domain local and universal scopes. Remembering that universal groups are forest wide in both membership and permission assignment helps avoid these mistakes. Administrators should also consider replication impact, because membership changes in universal groups are replicated to global catalog servers throughout the forest. Final Answer: The correct group type to organise users from multiple domains is a Universal group.

Question 5

On your Windows 2000 Server based network, you create a System Policy file to centrally manage Windows NT 4.0 client computers and their user settings. To ensure that these Windows NT 4.0 systems download and apply the policy from the NETLOGON share…

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Introduction / Context: Before Group Policy in Active Directory, Windows NT 4.0 used System Policy files to control user and computer settings. In mixed environments where Windows 2000 Server manages Windows NT 4.0 clients, System Policy files can still be used to enforce configuration settings. For these older clients to locate and apply the policy, the file must have a specific name and be stored in a specific location on the domain controller. Given Data / Assumptions: Windows 2000 Server is acting as a domain controller. Client computers are running Windows NT 4.0 Workstation or Windows NT 4.0 Server in client roles. You have created a System Policy file and placed it in the NETLOGON share. You need to know the correct filename that Windows NT 4.0 clients expect. Concept / Approach: Windows NT 4.0 clients search the NETLOGON share at logon for a file named Ntconfig.pol. If they find it, they download and process the policy settings stored in the file. The name is hard coded; using any other filename will prevent the clients from applying the policy. Config.pol is used in some other contexts, but for a Windows NT domain environment with NT 4.0 clients, Ntconfig.pol is the required name. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Recall that System Policy for NT 4.0 uses a single policy file for the domain.Step 2: Understand that this file must reside in the NETLOGON share on the domain controller.Step 3: Identify the exact name that NT 4.0 clients look for at logon. That name is Ntconfig.pol.Step 4: Compare this with alternative names. Config.pol, Nt4config.pol and Winntconfig.pol are not recognized by default NT 4.0 client logon processing.Step 5: Conclude that naming the file Ntconfig.pol ensures that Windows NT 4.0 systems will detect and apply the System Policy. Verification / Alternative check: Testing with a Windows NT 4.0 client confirms that if the policy file is named Ntconfig.pol in the NETLOGON share, the client retrieves and merges its settings at logon. Renaming the file to any other name prevents the policy from being applied, even if the contents are identical. This behavior is documented in Windows NT 4.0 and mixed mode network deployment guides. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Config.pol, Nt4config.pol and Winntconfig.pol are not the default filenames that NT 4.0 clients search for. Even though they may look plausible, the client software is coded specifically to look for Ntconfig.pol. Using these alternative names would mean that the clients never download the System Policy file and no centralized control would be enforced. Common Pitfalls: Administrators sometimes confuse filenames from different versions of Windows or rely on informal naming conventions that do not match the client expectation. Another pitfall is placing the file in the wrong share or folder. Remember that both the path (NETLOGON share) and filename (Ntconfig.pol) must be correct for the policy to take effect. Careful attention to spelling and case avoids frustrating troubleshooting sessions. Final Answer: The System Policy file must be named Ntconfig.pol for Windows NT 4.0 clients to download and apply it.

Question 6

By default, Windows 2000 Server automatically creates hidden administrative shares (such as C$, ADMIN$ and print$) for remote administration. You want to prevent these administrative shares from being created on a particular Windows 2000 server comp…

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Introduction / Context: Windows 2000 Server automatically creates administrative shares such as C$, ADMIN$ and print$ to allow administrators to manage the system remotely. In some locked down environments, security policy may require disabling these hidden shares to reduce attack surface. Changing this behavior is not exposed through simple graphical options, so administrators must understand how to modify registry settings or apply system policies to prevent their creation. Given Data / Assumptions: Server computers are running Windows 2000 Server. Administrative shares like C$ and ADMIN$ are created automatically. You want to prevent a specific server from creating these shares. You are evaluating whether this can be done through common graphical tools or requires registry changes. Concept / Approach: The automatic creation of administrative shares is controlled by registry values under the LanmanServer service in Windows 2000. Microsoft does not provide a simple check box in standard wizards or folder options to disable them. Therefore, you must use a registry editor such as Regedt32.exe or apply a System Policy that modifies the relevant registry values. This direct configuration is necessary because administrative shares are deeply integrated into the Server service and remote management architecture. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify that administrative shares are created by the Server service when it starts.Step 2: Confirm that there is no option in Configure Your Server or Folder Options to disable these shares.Step 3: Recall that advanced configuration for the Server service is stored in the registry, under keys such as HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\LanmanServer.Step 4: Recognize that administrators use Regedt32.exe or similar tools to edit these registry values or rely on System Policy Editor to deploy the settings consistently.Step 5: Conclude that editing the registry directly or via policy is the only supported method in this question's context to prevent administrative share creation. Verification / Alternative check: Experimenting on a test Windows 2000 Server shows that changing the appropriate registry value and restarting the Server service or rebooting the machine results in administrative shares no longer being created. No amount of modification in Configure Your Server or Folder Options impacts this behavior. Microsoft support articles describe registry based approaches for disabling administrative shares, which confirms this method as the correct answer. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Claiming that nothing can be done is incorrect because registry modifications are possible. Configure Your Server provides role based configuration but does not expose a setting for administrative shares. Folder Options controls the display of hidden files, system files and Explorer behavior, but it does not alter the underlying Server service configuration. Therefore, only registry editing or System Policy changes meet the requirement. Common Pitfalls: Modifying the registry incorrectly can cause system instability or loss of functionality, so administrators should always back up the registry and test changes in a lab environment first. Another pitfall is believing that disabling administrative shares is always recommended; in some organizations it may interfere with backup or management tools that rely on these shares. Careful planning and understanding of operational impact is essential before applying such changes. Final Answer: To prevent administrative shares from being created, you must use Reged32.exe or the System Policy Editor to edit the registry on the Windows 2000 server.

Question 7

You manage printers on a Windows 2000 network and want a particular Windows 2000 printer to be searchable through Active Directory so that users can easily find it using the Find Printers feature. What must you do first before you can publish this W…

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Introduction / Context: Active Directory integration for printers in Windows 2000 allows network users to search for and connect to shared printers using criteria such as location, model and capabilities. However, only shared printers can be published in the directory. Understanding this prerequisite is important for implementing a discoverable and manageable printing infrastructure in a Windows 2000 environment. Given Data / Assumptions: The server is running Windows 2000 and is part of an Active Directory domain. A local or network printer is installed on the server. You want this printer to appear in Active Directory searches. You need to know what action is required before you can publish the printer. Concept / Approach: Active Directory does not list individual printer devices; instead, it lists shared printers. Publishing a printer means creating an object in Active Directory that represents a shared printer resource. Therefore, the printer must first be shared on the server. Only then can you use the printer properties dialog to publish it in the directory. Network protocols such as NetBEUI are not required for this functionality, and specific document management permissions are not prerequisites for directory publication. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Install the printer on the Windows 2000 server, confirming it functions locally.Step 2: Open the printer properties dialog, and go to the Sharing tab.Step 3: Enable sharing by selecting the option to share the printer and providing a share name.Step 4: Once the printer is shared, use the option to list or publish the printer in the directory so that Active Directory clients can find it.Step 5: Recognize that installing additional protocols or assigning special permissions is not required to simply publish the printer. Verification / Alternative check: If you attempt to publish a printer that is not shared, the option to list the printer in the directory will not function as expected. After sharing the printer, you will notice that it appears in Active Directory searches performed from client machines using the Find Printers dialog. Documentation for Windows 2000 printing clearly states that printers must be shared before they can be advertised in the directory. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Installing the NetBEUI protocol is unnecessary for standard Windows 2000 Active Directory networks, which rely on TCP/IP. Installing drivers for other operating systems is useful for cross platform printing support, but it is not a prerequisite for directory publication. Granting the Everyone group Manage Documents permissions relates to security and delegation, not discoverability in Active Directory. Common Pitfalls: Some administrators focus on complex protocol configurations or access control lists and overlook the simple requirement that printers must be shared to become network resources. Another pitfall is failing to provide meaningful location and description information when publishing printers, which makes search results less useful for end users. Ensuring that printers are shared and properly described enhances the overall user experience in a large Windows 2000 environment. Final Answer: Before you can publish a Windows 2000 printer in Active Directory, you must first share the printer.

Question 8

You are archiving the Windows 2000 Security Log from Event Viewer so that you can later import and analyse the events in a spreadsheet or other data analysis tool. When saving the Security Log, which file type should you choose so that the log conte…

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Introduction / Context: Event Viewer on Windows 2000 allows administrators to save event logs to files for archiving, reporting and analysis. When you need to analyse security events in a spreadsheet, such as Microsoft Excel, choosing the correct file format simplifies data import and manipulation. Understanding which format is best suited for spreadsheets is a common practical question for system administrators. Given Data / Assumptions: You are working with the Security Log in Windows 2000 Event Viewer. You plan to save the log for later analysis. The analysis will be performed using a spreadsheet application. The goal is to import structured event data with minimal manual conversion. Concept / Approach: Spreadsheets are designed to work efficiently with delimited text formats where columns are separated by a known character, such as a comma. The comma separated values (CSV) format is a standard text format where each line represents a record and fields are separated by commas. Excel and similar tools can open CSV files directly and parse the data into columns. The native .evt format is optimized for Event Viewer itself, not for external analysis, and .txt files may require additional parsing. An .exe file is an executable and is not used for data storage. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Open Event Viewer and select the Security Log.Step 2: Use the Save Log File As option to export the log contents.Step 3: Review the available save formats. Options typically include .evt (native), .txt and .csv.Step 4: Recognize that .csv stands for comma separated values and is specifically suited for spreadsheets.Step 5: Choose .csv so that each event record appears on its own line with fields separated into columns when opened in Excel. Verification / Alternative check: If you save the log as .evt and attempt to open it directly in a spreadsheet, the file will not display meaningful rows and columns, because it is in a binary format designed for Event Viewer. A plain .txt file can be opened, but you may need to run a text import wizard and manually define delimiters. On the other hand, a .csv file opens cleanly in Excel with fields automatically placed into separate columns, which is ideal for sorting and filtering. Why Other Options Are Wrong: The .evt format is the native event log format and is best suited to re importing logs into Event Viewer, not for spreadsheet analysis. A .txt file is simply plain text and may not use consistent delimiters, requiring more manual work. The .exe extension denotes an executable program and is irrelevant for data export and would not be offered as a valid log file type in this scenario. Common Pitfalls: Administrators sometimes archive logs solely in .evt format and later discover that they cannot easily perform bulk analysis without reopening the logs in Event Viewer. Others use .txt files and then spend extra time configuring delimiters during import. Remembering to select .csv for analysis oriented exports saves time and ensures that security event data is immediately usable inside spreadsheet tools. Final Answer: The best file type for later analysis of Security Log data in a spreadsheet is .csv (comma separated values).

Question 9

Your organisation performs a normal backup of all data once a week on a Windows 2000 server. In addition, you want to back up data on each day between these weekly normal backups, while minimising the amount of time required to perform the daily bac…

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Introduction / Context: Windows 2000 Backup supports several backup types, including normal, incremental, differential and copy. Each type balances backup time, storage usage and restore complexity differently. When designing a backup strategy, administrators must choose the backup type that meets their performance and recovery objectives. This question focuses on minimising the time required for daily backups between weekly full backups. Given Data / Assumptions: A normal (full) backup is performed once each week. Additional backups are needed on the days between full backups. The primary goal for those daily backups is to minimise backup time. Restore time can be somewhat longer as long as backup windows remain small. Concept / Approach: A normal backup backs up all selected files and resets the archive attribute, making it time consuming but simple for restores. An incremental backup backs up only files that have changed since the last normal or incremental backup and resets the archive bit. A differential backup backs up files that have changed since the last normal backup and does not reset the archive bit, so the amount of data increases each day. Copy backups are full backups that do not affect archive bits. To minimise daily backup time, you want to back up as little data as possible each day, which points to incremental backups. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Recognize that performing a normal backup every day would back up all files and take the most time, violating the requirement.Step 2: Understand that copy backups are also essentially full backups and would not reduce the daily backup window.Step 3: Compare incremental and differential methods. Both back up only changed files, but they treat the archive attribute differently.Step 4: For incremental backups, each daily backup includes only files changed since the last normal or incremental backup, so daily backup size tends to be small.Step 5: For differential backups, each daily backup includes all files changed since the last full backup, causing each day's backup to grow larger through the week.Step 6: Conclude that incremental backups will take the least time on average for the daily backup tasks. Verification / Alternative check: To restore data for a full week using incremental backups, you would first restore the last normal backup, then restore each incremental backup in sequence. This increases restore complexity but keeps backup times short. Differential backups simplify restore (full backup plus last differential), but the size and time of the backups grow every day. Because the question specifically emphasises minimising backup time, incremental is the correct choice. Why Other Options Are Wrong: A normal backup takes the longest time and is unnecessary on a daily basis when a weekly full backup is already performed. Differential backups would eventually back up more data each day as the week progresses, increasing backup time. Copy backups are typically used for ad hoc backups that should not change the normal backup schedule and would not meet the goal of short daily backup windows. Common Pitfalls: Students often confuse which method minimises backup time versus which minimises restore time. Differential backups are excellent for quicker restores but do not provide the shortest backup windows. Another pitfall is ignoring the archive attribute and how each backup type interacts with it. Understanding this attribute is essential for predicting how much data each backup type will capture over time. Final Answer: To minimise the time required for daily backups between weekly normal backups, you should use Incremental backups.

Question 10

On a Windows 2000 computer, you need to configure the binding order of network protocols and the provider order used by Windows Sockets and other network components. Which administrative interface or tool should you use to adjust the bindings and pr…

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Introduction / Context: Network communication in Windows 2000 relies on protocol stacks, adapters and service providers. Sometimes you need to control which protocol is used first, or which provider order is applied by Windows Sockets. This is done through bindings and provider order settings. Knowing where to configure these options is essential for troubleshooting multi protocol networks or resolving application connectivity issues. Given Data / Assumptions: The system is running Windows 2000 (Professional or Server). Multiple network protocols or clients may be installed. You need to adjust the binding order and provider order. You are evaluating common administrative interfaces such as Network and Dial up Connections, Windows Explorer, System and Device Manager. Concept / Approach: In Windows 2000, the Network and Dial up Connections folder provides access to the properties of network adapters and protocols. From its Advanced menu, you can open the Advanced Settings dialog, which allows you to configure connection priority, bindings between adapters and protocols, and the order of network providers. Other tools, such as Windows Explorer or Device Manager, handle different aspects of the system and do not expose these specific network binding settings. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Open the Control Panel and start Network and Dial up Connections.Step 2: On the Advanced menu, select Advanced Settings to display connection and binding information.Step 3: Use the Connections tab to modify the order in which network connections are accessed.Step 4: Use the Bindings tab to control which protocols, services and clients are bound to each network adapter and in what order.Step 5: Recognize that Windows Explorer is used for file management and does not manage network bindings.Step 6: Understand that the System applet and Device Manager manage hardware and drivers but not the logical binding order for protocols.Step 7: Conclude that the Network and Dial up Connections folder is the correct interface for configuring bindings and provider order. Verification / Alternative check: On a Windows 2000 system, if you open Device Manager, you will see hardware devices and driver settings, but no configuration for protocol binding order. Similarly, the System Control Panel displays general system information and performance options but not network binding configuration. Only Network and Dial up Connections provides the Advanced Settings dialog referred to in Microsoft documentation for managing bindings and provider order. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Windows Explorer is a file management tool and does not change low level network configuration. The System applet and Device Manager are used for hardware management and resource settings, not for determining which protocol or provider is preferred by applications. Therefore, they cannot satisfy the requirement of configuring bindings and provider order. Common Pitfalls: Administrators sometimes assume that all advanced configuration options are located in the System Control Panel or Device Manager, overlooking the network specific configuration under Network and Dial up Connections. Another pitfall is forgetting to adjust provider order when troubleshooting name resolution or authentication issues in multi protocol environments. Familiarity with the Advanced Settings dialog greatly simplifies these tasks. Final Answer: The correct tool to configure bindings and provider order on a Windows 2000 computer is the Network and Dial-up Connections folder.

Question 11

You want to enable dynamic routing on a Windows 2000 Server computer that participates in your TCP/IP network. Specifically, you need this server to manage and control the propagation of IP multicast traffic through your network for multimedia and g…

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Introduction / Context: Dynamic routing and multicast traffic management are key features in advanced TCP/IP networks. Windows 2000 Server can act as a router using the Routing and Remote Access Service (RRAS). When you want the server to manage multicast traffic for applications like streaming media or group conferencing, you must select the appropriate protocol or component that understands IP multicast group membership and forwarding behavior. Given Data / Assumptions: The server runs Windows 2000 Server. Routing and Remote Access Service is available for configuration. The network uses TCP/IP as the primary protocol. The goal is to manage the propagation of IP multicast traffic. Concept / Approach: Internet Group Management Protocol (IGMP) is used between hosts and routers to establish multicast group memberships on a subnet. IGMP Version 2 support in Windows 2000 allows the server to act as a multicast router or proxy, controlling which multicast streams are forwarded to which segments. Traditional unicast routing protocols like RIP Version 2 and OSPF are designed for unicast route exchange and do not by themselves handle group membership management. Network Address Translation (NAT) modifies address information and is unrelated to multicast group control. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify that the core requirement is multicast traffic management, not just unicast route exchange.Step 2: Recall that IGMP is specifically designed to manage IP multicast group membership between hosts and routers.Step 3: Note that Windows 2000 Routing and Remote Access includes IGMP Version 2 Router and Proxy support to enable the server to forward multicast traffic appropriately.Step 4: Recognise that OSPF is a link state unicast routing protocol and does not by itself manage multicast group membership.Step 5: Understand that RIP Version 2 is a distance vector unicast routing protocol supporting subnet masks and authentication, but again it does not address multicast membership directly.Step 6: See that NAT translates addresses between private and public networks and is not a routing protocol intended to manage multicast propagation.Step 7: Conclude that enabling IGMP Version 2, Router and Proxy is the correct choice. Verification / Alternative check: Practical configuration in RRAS confirms that enabling IGMP on an interface allows Windows 2000 Server to listen for IGMP join and leave messages and to control multicast forwarding accordingly. Unicast routing protocols continue to operate for normal IP traffic, but multicast requires IGMP for correct operation. Microsoft guidance for configuring multicast on Windows 2000 explicitly refers to IGMP Version 2 support. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Open Shortest Path First (OSPF) is powerful for unicast routing in larger networks but does not handle multicast membership. RIP Version 2 for Internet Protocol is suited to smaller networks and also focuses on unicast. Network Address Translation (NAT) is a translation mechanism, not a routing protocol for multicast, and may even interfere with multicast in some designs. None of these meet the specific requirement to manage multicast group propagation. Common Pitfalls: Students often assume that enabling any dynamic routing protocol automatically solves multicast needs, but multicast requires specific support. Another pitfall is confusing protocols used between routers (like OSPF) with protocols used between hosts and routers (like IGMP). Understanding that IGMP is the key for multicast group membership avoids incorrect configuration choices. Final Answer: To manage multicast traffic on a Windows 2000 Server router, you should enable IGMP Version2, Router and Proxy.

Question 12

You are configuring remote access authentication for dial-up or VPN connections to a Windows 2000 Server. You plan to deploy smart cards so that users can authenticate using certificates stored on the cards. Which authentication method supports the …

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Introduction / Context: Remote access in Windows 2000 Server uses several authentication protocols, including CHAP, MS-CHAP, SPAP and EAP. When you introduce smart cards, authentication is performed using certificates stored on the card and possibly client side cryptographic operations. Only certain protocols support this level of flexibility. Understanding which protocol is designed to carry smart card based methods is important for secure remote access design. Given Data / Assumptions: Remote access is provided by Windows 2000 Server for dial up or VPN clients. Smart cards will be used for user authentication. Certificates and potentially EAP TLS based methods are part of the design. You must choose from CHAP, EAP, SPAP and MS-CHAP v2. Concept / Approach: Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP) is a general framework that allows different authentication mechanisms to be plugged in, including certificate based and smart card based methods such as EAP TLS. CHAP and MS-CHAP are challenge response protocols built primarily around password based authentication. SPAP is a proprietary protocol for compatibility with Shiva equipment and is not designed for smart cards. Therefore, the protocol that supports smart card authentication in Windows 2000 remote access scenarios is EAP. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify the requirement to support smart cards and certificates.Step 2: Recall that EAP is designed to support multiple authentication methods, including certificates through EAP TLS and smart cards.Step 3: Compare with CHAP, which relies on a shared secret password and does not have built in support for certificate based smart card authentication.Step 4: Note that MS-CHAP v2 enhances security over MS-CHAP but still is password based rather than certificate based.Step 5: Recognise that SPAP is meant for compatibility with certain remote access hardware and does not provide the smart card integration needed.Step 6: Conclude that EAP is the correct choice for smart card integration in Windows 2000 remote access. Verification / Alternative check: Configuration in Routing and Remote Access or in remote access policies clearly shows EAP as the option when you choose smart card or other certificate based methods. When you enable EAP TLS, the client and server exchange certificate information, and the smart card is used to store the user certificate and private key. This confirms that EAP is the protocol that supports smart cards in this context. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Encrypted authentication (CHAP) and Microsoft encrypted authentication version 2 (MS-CHAP v2) are both password based mechanisms that use challenge response exchanges; they do not support smart card certificate based authentication directly. Shiva Password Authentication Protocol (SPAP) is proprietary and does not provide the extensible framework required for smart card use. None of these alternatives meet the requirement described in the scenario. Common Pitfalls: A frequent misconception is that any protocol that is considered secure or uses encryption is automatically compatible with smart cards. In reality, smart card support requires a protocol that can carry certificate based authentication, which is exactly what EAP provides. Another pitfall is overlooking the additional configuration steps required for EAP TLS, such as deploying a public key infrastructure and issuing certificates to users and servers. Final Answer: The authentication method that supports smart cards in this scenario is Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP).

Question 13

You are about to install Certificate Services for the first time on your Windows 2000 network. You will install Certificate Services on a Windows 2000 Server computer that is a member of the domain, and you want the certification authority (CA) to i…

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Introduction / Context: Windows 2000 Certificate Services can create different types of certification authorities (CAs), such as Enterprise and Stand alone, root and subordinate. The type you choose affects how the CA integrates with Active Directory, how certificate templates are used and how trust is established. When deploying a public key infrastructure in an Active Directory environment, the first CA installed often plays a special role as the root of trust for the organization. Given Data / Assumptions: You are installing Certificate Services for the first time in the Windows 2000 environment. The server is a member of an Active Directory domain. You want the CA to use Active Directory to publish certificates and certificate revocation lists. No other CAs currently exist in the organization. Concept / Approach: Enterprise CAs integrate with Active Directory, automatically publishing certificates and using certificate templates stored in the directory. Stand alone CAs do not integrate with Active Directory in the same way and usually require more manual management of certificate requests and publication. A root CA is at the top of the CA hierarchy for that organization, while a subordinate CA chains to a higher level CA. Because this is the first CA and you want Active Directory integration, an Enterprise root CA is the appropriate choice. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Recognise that you want Active Directory integration, so you must choose an Enterprise CA rather than a Stand alone CA.Step 2: Determine whether this CA will be the top of the hierarchy. Because this is the first CA in the environment, it will act as the root for the organization.Step 3: Understand that a Stand alone root CA would not integrate fully with Active Directory, which conflicts with the requirement.Step 4: Recognise that Enterprise subordinate CAs require an existing root CA to chain to, which you do not yet have.Step 5: Exclude Stand alone subordinate CA for the same reason and because it does not provide directory integration.Step 6: Conclude that an Enterprise root CA is the correct type for this first deployment. Verification / Alternative check: Microsoft documentation on Windows 2000 Certificate Services states that Enterprise CAs rely on Active Directory and make use of certificate templates for automatic issuance and enrollment. For organisations with Active Directory, Enterprise CAs provide a more automated and integrated solution than Stand alone CAs. The first CA in such an environment is typically an Enterprise root CA, establishing the root of trust for subsequent Enterprise subordinate CAs if needed. Why Other Options Are Wrong: An Enterprise subordinate CA would integrate with Active Directory but assumes the existence of a parent CA already in place. A Stand alone root CA can serve as a root but does not take advantage of Active Directory features like certificate templates and automatic publishing. A Stand alone subordinate CA lacks both root authority and directory integration. None of these match the requirement of being the first CA and using Active Directory. Common Pitfalls: Some administrators choose a Stand alone CA because they are uncertain about managing Active Directory integration, only to discover later that they miss features like auto enrollment and template based issuance. Others select a subordinate CA type when no root exists, which is not valid. Careful planning of the CA hierarchy and understanding the benefits of Enterprise versus Stand alone types helps avoid difficult migrations later. Final Answer: The correct CA type to select in this scenario is Enterprise root CA.

Question 14

You plan to clone a Windows 2000 computer by using the System Preparation Tool (Sysprep). When you run Sysprep on the reference Windows 2000 computer before imaging, what happens to the user specific information and settings that currently exist on …

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Introduction / Context: Sysprep is the System Preparation Tool used in Windows 2000 to generalize a system image before deployment to multiple computers. One of its tasks is to remove machine specific and user specific information so that the cloned systems can receive unique identities and be customized during mini setup. Understanding what happens to user specific settings helps administrators plan how user profiles and configurations will be handled after deployment. Given Data / Assumptions: A reference computer is running Windows 2000. The goal is to use Sysprep to prepare this system for imaging and deployment to other computers. There is user specific information and profile data on the reference system. You need to know how Sysprep treats that user specific information. Concept / Approach: Sysprep is designed to remove user specific and security specific information to avoid conflicts when the image is applied to another machine. This includes resetting security identifiers and removing user profiles that should not be replicated. The tool does not preserve user specific data in additional files for reinstallation; instead, any required user settings should be configured after deployment or stored in domain profiles, not on the reference machine.' Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Understand that cloning a system requires removing unique identifiers and user data that should not be duplicated.Step 2: Recognise that Sysprep prepares the operating system by resetting identifiers and removing user specific customizations.Step 3: Review the options. Preserving user information in usset.inf or automatically reinstalling it would defeat the purpose of creating a generic image.Step 4: Consider the option that user information is not altered; this would mean cloned machines share the same user settings and possibly sensitive data, which is undesirable.Step 5: Conclude that Sysprep removes user specific information so that each deployed system starts in a generalized state. Verification / Alternative check: Microsoft documentation on Sysprep explains that the tool removes computer specific and user specific information, then configures the system to run mini setup when it next boots. Administrators can verify this by examining user profiles before and after running Sysprep in a test environment and observing the reset state upon deployment of the image. No automatic reinstallation of old user data occurs. Why Other Options Are Wrong: The idea that user information is preserved in a file such as usset.inf is not part of Sysprep behaviour. Sysprep does not save and reinstall user profiles as part of cloning. Leaving user specific data unaltered would create security and configuration problems across cloned computers. Therefore, the only correct behaviour among the options is that user specific information is removed. Common Pitfalls: A common mistake is using a heavily customised user profile on the reference machine and expecting those customisations to appear on cloned machines without properly using default profile techniques. Another pitfall is failing to back up important user data before running Sysprep, leading to unexpected data loss. Administrators should clearly distinguish between system imaging and user data migration when planning deployments. Final Answer: When you run Sysprep on a Windows 2000 computer, the user specific information on that computer is removed.

Question 15

You administer a Windows 2000 Terminal Services environment and want to end an application that is currently running in a user's Terminal Services session by using a command line tool on the server. Which command can you use at the command prompt to…

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Introduction / Context: In a Windows 2000 Terminal Services environment, administrators often need to manage user sessions and processes remotely. Sometimes an application running in a client session becomes unresponsive or consumes excessive resources, and the administrator must terminate it from the server. Windows 2000 provides command line utilities to manage Terminal Services sessions and processes, and knowing which command terminates a process is important for quick troubleshooting. Given Data / Assumptions: The server is running Windows 2000 Server with Terminal Services. A user session has an application that needs to be terminated. You are working from the command line on the server. You must choose among commands such as Tscon, Tsprof, Tsend and Tskill. Concept / Approach: Each Terminal Services command has a specific purpose. Tscon is used to connect to or disconnect from Terminal Services sessions. Tsprof manages user profile settings related to Terminal Services. Tsend is not a standard Windows 2000 command line tool. Tskill is designed to end processes, similar to using Task Manager but from the command line. Therefore, the correct command to terminate an application is Tskill. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Clarify the requirement: you need to end an application process running in a user session.Step 2: Recall that Tskill is the command line tool that terminates processes by name or process identifier.Step 3: Recognize that Tscon is used to connect or disconnect sessions and does not kill processes.Step 4: Understand that Tsprof deals with profiles and not with process termination.Step 5: Note that Tsend is not a valid process management command in Windows 2000.Step 6: Conclude that Tskill is the only option that matches the requirement to end the application. Verification / Alternative check: On a Windows 2000 Server, running "tskill /?" at the command prompt displays syntax for ending processes, confirming its purpose. Administrators can use "tskill processname" or "tskill pid" to kill a specific process within a terminal session. By contrast, "tscon /?" shows options related to session connection, and "tsprof /?" shows options for profile management, reinforcing that they do not terminate applications. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Tscon attaches the console or another session to an existing session and is used for session management, not process termination. Tsprof configures Terminal Services user profiles, controlling how profiles are stored and loaded but not how processes are managed. Tsend is not a standard command and therefore cannot be the answer in this exam context. Only Tskill is designed to stop an application process. Common Pitfalls: Administrators sometimes default to using Task Manager for all process control tasks, forgetting that command line tools are very useful when working over remote connections or scripting administrative actions. Another pitfall is misusing Tscon when the goal is to close an application, which can leave problematic processes running in the background. Knowing the correct tool for each task leads to more effective Terminal Services management. Final Answer: The command line tool you can use to end an application in a Terminal Services session is Tskill.

Question 16

On Windows 2000 Server computers, the Server service can be tuned for different workload patterns such as minimising memory usage or maximising throughput. What is the default optimization setting selected for the Server service on a newly installed…

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Introduction / Context: The Server service in Windows 2000 controls how the system handles file and print sharing. Administrators can tune the service for different performance goals: minimising memory usage, balancing performance, maximising throughput for file sharing or maximising throughput for network applications such as SQL Server. Knowing the default setting helps in performance troubleshooting and in answering exam questions about standard Windows 2000 behaviour. Given Data / Assumptions: You are working with Windows 2000 Server, not Windows 2000 Professional. The default configuration has not been manually changed after installation. You are concerned with the optimization setting for the Server service. Options include minimising memory, balance and two maximise throughput modes. Concept / Approach: Windows 2000 Server is designed primarily to provide file and print services in many deployments. As a result, Microsoft sets the default optimization to favour file sharing performance. The "Maximize data throughput for file sharing" setting allocates more memory to file system cache and server buffers than other options. The "Maximize data throughput for network applications" setting is better suited for application servers such as database servers but is not the default. "Minimize memory used" and "Balance" are more conservative choices and not the standard for servers intended to handle heavy file sharing loads. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Recall that server editions of Windows are optimized for network file and print sharing tasks out of the box.Step 2: Recognize that the "Maximize data throughput for file sharing" option configures the Server service to allocate more resources to file sharing.Step 3: Understand that "Maximize data throughput for network applications" is a special tuning option recommended when the server primarily runs applications like databases, not when acting mainly as a file server.Step 4: Note that "Minimize memory used" and "Balance" decrease or moderate resource use and are less suitable as default settings for a dedicated server operating system.Step 5: Conclude that Windows 2000 Server defaults to "Maximize data throughput for file sharing" for the Server service optimization. Verification / Alternative check: On a freshly installed Windows 2000 Server, if you open the properties of the Server service via the Network and Dial up Connections advanced settings or the System properties, you will see that the default option is set to maximise data throughput for file sharing. Documentation and training materials for MCSE exams confirm this default, highlighting that it is appropriate for typical file server scenarios. Why Other Options Are Wrong: "Minimize memory used" would be a reasonable choice for a small server with limited RAM but would reduce performance for file sharing and is not the default. "Balance" aims to provide a compromise between memory usage and throughput but does not reflect the typical use case of Windows 2000 Server as a file server. "Maximize data throughput for network applications" gives priority to application servers but is not automatically selected at installation time. Common Pitfalls: Students sometimes confuse the defaults of Windows 2000 Professional with Windows 2000 Server. Professional editions tend to optimise for network applications and interactive use, whereas Server editions emphasise file and print services. Another pitfall is assuming that the most balanced option must be the default, rather than considering Microsoft's expectations for typical server roles at the time Windows 2000 was designed. Final Answer: The default optimization setting for the Server service on Windows 2000 Server computers is Maximize data throughput for file sharing.

Question 17

In a Windows 2000 Active Directory network that uses two separate sites, you decide that you want to manually specify a particular domain controller in each site that will be used for intersite replication traffic instead of relying only on automati…

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Introduction / Context: Active Directory sites in a Windows 2000 domain are designed to control replication traffic and user logon behavior across different physical locations. When more than one domain controller exists in each site, the system can automatically choose bridgehead servers for intersite replication. However, administrators sometimes want to control exactly which domain controllers act as bridgehead servers in order to manage bandwidth, performance, and reliability. This question tests your understanding of how to manually influence intersite replication in a Windows 2000 Active Directory environment. Given Data / Assumptions: There is a Windows 2000 Active Directory domain. The network contains two separate sites connected by a site link. Each site has at least one domain controller, possibly more. The administrator wants to manually choose the domain controllers that will handle intersite replication. Standard Active Directory site, replication, and bridgehead concepts apply. Concept / Approach: Within each Active Directory site, one or more domain controllers are selected to act as bridgehead servers for intersite replication. By default this selection is automatic. To control which servers handle intersite replication, you explicitly designate preferred bridgehead servers in each site. This does not require changing the site link itself, nor does it require promoting servers to global catalog status. Instead, you work with the site level configuration in Active Directory Sites and Services and mark specific domain controllers as preferred bridgehead servers for the relevant transport, typically IP. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Open the Active Directory Sites and Services console on an administrative workstation or server. Step 2: Expand the Sites container, then expand each site that contains candidate domain controllers. Step 3: Under each site, expand the Servers container, right click the desired domain controller, and open its properties. Step 4: On the properties dialog, specify the domain controller as a preferred bridgehead server for the appropriate replication transport, such as IP. Step 5: Repeat this configuration for the chosen domain controller in each site so that intersite replication is routed through the selected bridgehead servers. Verification / Alternative check: You can verify the configuration by reviewing the site configuration in Active Directory Sites and Services and checking which servers are listed as preferred bridgehead servers. Over time, you can also monitor replication topology and event logs to confirm that intersite replication uses these designated bridgehead servers. No changes to global catalog settings or user logon behavior are required for simply controlling bridgehead assignment. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A is incorrect because creating a site link only connects the sites; it does not manually choose which domain controllers act as bridgehead servers. Option C is incorrect because making a server a global catalog affects how directory data is stored and searched, not which servers handle intersite replication. Option D is misleading because manual connection objects influence replication within and between servers but do not by themselves guarantee that the chosen servers become bridgehead servers for the site. Option E is incorrect because universal group caching affects how group membership is cached at a site and has nothing to do with the selection of bridgehead servers for intersite replication. Common Pitfalls: Many administrators confuse global catalog servers with bridgehead servers, assuming that designating a global catalog automatically controls replication routing, which is not the case. Another common mistake is to create extra site links or manual connection objects without properly understanding that bridgehead server selection is a separate configurable setting. Finally, administrators sometimes forget to consider transport types and attempt to configure bridgehead servers only for one protocol without checking how replication is actually configured between sites. Final Answer: The correct action is to designate the desired domain controller in each site as a preferred bridgehead server for intersite replication..

Question 18

In a Windows 2000 based enterprise network, you are deploying a new computer that will host a heavily used Microsoft SQL Server database for business critical applications. Which edition of the Windows 2000 operating system should you choose for thi…

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Introduction / Context: Choosing the correct operating system edition for a heavily used SQL Server installation is an important design decision in any Windows based enterprise environment. Windows 2000 was released in several editions, each targeted at different workloads and hardware configurations. When planning a server that will host a busy SQL Server database, you need an edition that can support more memory, more processors, and clustering features, while remaining a realistic and typical choice in exam style scenarios. Given Data / Assumptions: The environment uses Windows 2000 operating systems. The new computer will run Microsoft SQL Server as a heavily used database server. The server is part of an enterprise level network, not a small peer to peer environment. You must choose among Windows 2000 Professional, Server, Advanced Server, Datacenter Server, and Small Business Server. Licensing and special hardware constraints for Datacenter Server are not the main focus of the question. Concept / Approach: Windows 2000 Professional is intended for desktop and workstation use, not as a back end database server. Windows 2000 Server is a general purpose server edition suitable for file, print, and modest application workloads. Windows 2000 Advanced Server is designed for larger applications and databases, supporting more memory, more processors, and clustering. Windows 2000 Datacenter Server targets extremely high end, highly specialized scenarios and often comes preinstalled by hardware vendors with strict requirements. In certification style questions, Advanced Server is usually the recommended answer for a heavily loaded SQL Server in an enterprise environment because it balances scalability with realistic deployment. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Eliminate Windows 2000 Professional because it is a client operating system and is not designed for large scale SQL Server hosting. Step 2: Consider Windows 2000 Server, which can host SQL Server but may not provide the higher limits on memory, processors, and clustering that a heavily used database might need. Step 3: Evaluate Windows 2000 Advanced Server, which supports larger amounts of RAM, more processors, and clustering features tailored for application and database servers. Step 4: Recognize that Windows 2000 Datacenter Server is aimed at very high end specialized scenarios and is less commonly the expected answer for a typical enterprise SQL Server exam question. Step 5: Choose Windows 2000 Advanced Server as the best match for a heavily used SQL Server in an enterprise environment. Verification / Alternative check: You can cross check this reasoning by reviewing documentation for Windows 2000 editions, which emphasises that Advanced Server is appropriate for line of business applications, large databases, and systems that may require clustering. In contrast, Professional is workstation focused, Server is general purpose, and Datacenter is specialized for very large hardware with unique licensing and vendor management. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A, Windows 2000 Professional, is incorrect because it is intended for desktops and does not provide the scalability required for a heavily used enterprise database server. Option B, Windows 2000 Server, can host SQL Server but does not offer the enhanced scalability and clustering that Advanced Server was designed to provide. Option D, Windows 2000 Datacenter Server, is typically overkill in exam scenarios and usually tied to specialised hardware and usage patterns beyond the scope of normal enterprise deployments. Option E, Windows 2000 Small Business Server, is aimed at small organisations with integrated services and is not the typical choice for a dedicated heavily used SQL Server in a large enterprise. Common Pitfalls: A common mistake is to assume that the most powerful edition, such as Datacenter Server, is always the correct choice, ignoring cost, complexity, and realistic deployment practices. Another pitfall is believing that any server edition is adequate for large databases, without considering scalability limits. In exam questions, always match the edition to both workload and typical organisational size rather than simply picking the highest tier product. Final Answer: For a heavily used SQL Server in a Windows 2000 enterprise environment, the most appropriate choice is Windows 2000 Advanced Server..

Microsoft Certification Questions