Hello everyone, I need advice setting up a windows server home lab. My plan is to do MCITP labs and prepare for exams. I have been watching youtube videos but i need more basic setup instructions. so far this is the plan: Windows Server 2003 R2 - Dell GX-745 Intel Pentium D 3.40Ghz and 2GB RAM. Windows XP Pro - Lenovo X300 Should I setup a VM lab?

Might also try here. http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/virtuallabs/bb512925.aspx Regards, Dave Patrick .... Microsoft Certified Professional Microsoft MVP [Windows] Disclaimer: This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties or guarantees , and confers no rights.

Might also try here. http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/virtuallabs/bb512925.aspx Regards, Dave Patrick .... Microsoft Certified Professional Microsoft MVP [Windows] Disclaimer: This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties or guarantees , and confers no rights.

The best way to practice for these exams, in my opinion, is to definitely run a VM lab and go through as many scenarios as possible to gain some experience with the OS and networking applications. However, based on the server's configuration, you will be very, very limited if you plan on running VM software on that box. At the very minimum, you need to add a lot more RAM. RAM is the key with regard to running numerous VM guests on the system. It would also be preferable, not required, to install a 64bit OS on the HOST (your CPU would need to be 64bit capable) so that you can run both 32bit and 64 bit VM guests (VMWare and VirtualBox support 64bit guests as well as Hyper-V). Virtualizing the lab will also let you be a lot more flexible and be able to build different guest machines very quickly. Again, the more RAM, the more VMs you can run at the same time. VM software also allows you to create multiple network segments. YOu can build Windows routers and build a complete network infrastructure. Guides and tutorials, visit ITGeared.com.

Hi Dave - Thanks, I have tried some of these labs and plan on continuing. Hi Jorge - Thanks for your advice. I read a view threads online to setup a VM lab. Which is better for a VM lab.. VM ESXi or Hyper-V? Based on the thread I have read, mostly likely I will need to build a workstation or buy a cheap server online? I guess I just need a little direction on the hardware and all software needed for the VM lab. Note: I am a rookie and thanks for taking the time to answer my questions. http://www.vhersey.com/2011/12/my-home-vmware-lab http://thomaschatham.com/2011/03/my-vmware-esxi-4-1-home-lab/

With vmware you can test all bells and whistles for 60 day and then continue to run it with the free hpervisor only license after 60 days https://my.vmware.com/web/vmware/info/slug/datacenter_cloud_infrastructure/vmware_vsphere_hypervisor_esxi/5_0 Windows Hyper-V trial is good for 180 days. http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/evalcenter/dd459137.aspx Regards, Dave Patrick .... Microsoft Certified Professional Microsoft MVP [Windows] Disclaimer: This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties or guarantees , and confers no rights.

Hello Naperdomain, With regard to cost, there is a good range of options here. You can easily build this lab with a typical workstation, just to try get to 16GB of memory. Not all motherboards support this much, so shop around. Also, as previously mentioned, go with 64bit support so that you have more options with regard to VM applications. For example, Virtual Box will work quite well, supports 64bit VMs, and is free. however, Hyper-V would be a great option since learning about Hyper-V is in your best interest with regard to your certification. I would recommend that you consider a TechNet subscription so that you can have access to full versions of the Microsoft OS and Apps. Outside of that with regard to HW specs, there isnt anything else special. Guides and tutorials, visit ITGeared.com.

Hi Jorge. Thanks for the great advice. So far I have found Ebay to have the best deals for Quad Core 16GB Intel i7 and AMD processor. Last question, when I make my PC purchase, is there any other hardware I should be concerned with other than RAM, maybe NIC or HD vs SSD?

thank you Sir. this helps a lot. Next step is purchase machine and have some fun:)

You'll definitely want a NIC included on your host machine so that you can access the internet or private network and share that network to your guest VMs if needed. An onboard NIC, or external NIC is fine. nothing special required. With regard to the Hard Drive, a few hundred Gigs is fine for the guest VMs, storage of ISOs, etc.. Storage is cheap so there are no concerns there. I would just try to get the fastest drive possible for your budget so that you can have the best system response as possible. Keep in mind that your system can only be as fast as your slowest component. I always advise not to necessarily spend lots of money on the latest CPU, but to spend some of that on the Hard Drive and RAM. Guides and tutorials, visit ITGeared.com.