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 Windows 2000 Server system?

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.