In a Windows 2000 Server network environment, which underlying network protocol is required for core server components such as Internet Information Services (IIS), the Indexing Service and Certificate Services to communicate correctly?

Introduction / Context:
In a Windows 2000 Server based network, many core services rely on a standard network protocol stack in order to communicate with clients, domain controllers and other servers. Internet Information Services (IIS) provides web and application hosting, Indexing Service supports content indexing and search, and Certificate Services issues and manages digital certificates. Understanding which network protocol these services require is important for planning and troubleshooting enterprise deployments.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The server is running Windows 2000 Server.
• Internet Information Services (IIS) is installed.
• Indexing Service is installed and used for searching content.
• Certificate Services is installed to provide a certification authority.
• You need to know which underlying protocol is required by all three services.

Concept / Approach:
Windows 2000 networking is built around the Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) suite. Active Directory, IIS, certificate based security and most modern Windows services are designed to use TCP/IP only. Legacy protocols such as NetBEUI and IPX/SPX exist mainly for compatibility with older systems, and routing protocols like RIP are used by routers, not by application services themselves. Therefore, we determine which option represents the fundamental transport protocol required by these server components, not a routing or legacy protocol.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Identify the role of IIS. It hosts web sites and applications and communicates using HTTP and HTTPS, which are higher level protocols carried over TCP/IP.Step 2: Consider Indexing Service. It indexes local and remote content and integrates with IIS and file services, which again operate on top of TCP/IP in a modern Windows 2000 network.Step 3: Evaluate Certificate Services. It publishes certificate information in Active Directory and uses network communication that is designed around TCP/IP and related directory protocols.Step 4: Compare with the options. TCP/IP is the standard protocol stack required by Windows 2000 for these services. NWLink IPX/SPX and NetBEUI are legacy protocols not required for IIS or Certificate Services. RIP Version 2 is a routing protocol, not an application transport protocol.Step 5: Conclude that TCP/IP is the only protocol in the options that is required by all three services.

Verification / Alternative check:
On a typical Windows 2000 Server, if you remove or disable TCP/IP, IIS will fail to respond to HTTP requests, and Active Directory integrated services including Certificate Services will not function correctly. However, leaving only TCP/IP installed without IPX/SPX or NetBEUI still allows IIS, Indexing Service and Certificate Services to work normally. This confirms that TCP/IP is the required protocol and the others are optional or obsolete in this context.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
NWLink IPX/SPX/NetBIOS Compatible Transport protocol is provided mainly for Novell NetWare interoperability and is not required by IIS, Indexing Service or Certificate Services. NetBEUI is a legacy non routable protocol, unsuitable for enterprise deployments and unnecessary for these Windows 2000 services. RIP Version 2 for Internet Protocol is a routing protocol used between routers to exchange route information and is not a required transport protocol for IIS or Certificate Services on a server computer.

Common Pitfalls:
Candidates sometimes believe that multiple protocols must always be installed for compatibility with older clients, but in Windows 2000 and later networks Microsoft clearly recommends TCP/IP as the single standard protocol. Another common mistake is confusing routing protocols such as RIP with transport protocols; routing protocols manage how packets move between networks, but application services like IIS still rely on TCP/IP as their transport. Mixing these concepts can lead to misconfigured servers and unnecessary protocol overhead.

Final Answer:
The required protocol for IIS, Indexing Service and Certificate Services on Windows 2000 Server is TCP/IP.