Windows XP Administration:
The Basics
An Institute of Technology Labs
Basic Skills Seminar
Agenda
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Windows XP Overview
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Differences between Home and Pro Versions
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System Administration Tasks
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Hands-on Time
Overview
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Security
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Reliability
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Communication
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Media Support
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Compatibility
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Performance
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Extensibility
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Portability
Features
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Registry & File System
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Desktop
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Disks
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Users & Groups
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Networking & Security
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Services & Processes
Differences between XP Home/Pro
• XP Home Lacks:
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64-bit edition
desktop policy management
offline folders
remote installation
roaming profiles
encrypting file system
ACL editor
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–
–
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–
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five connections for file-sharing
automated system recovery
dynamic disks
remote desktop support
multiprocessor support
IIS (web server)
ability to join a domain
System Administration
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Install/uninstall/upgrade software and patches
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Manage desktops
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Define and manage files and disks
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Manage users and groups
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Create startup/shutdown scripts
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Log activity and review logs
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Schedule periodic tasks
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Define and manage processes & services
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Manage and audit resources
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Configure network & network security
Install/uninstall/upgrade
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Windows Update

CPL/Automatic Updates
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CPL/Add or Remove Programs
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Application updaters
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www.pxserver.com

winaudit
Manage desktops
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User profiles, home directory, startup
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Icon placement
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Startup menus
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Tray icons
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Folder views
Define/manage files and disks
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CPL/AT/Comp Mgmt/Disk Management

basic vs. dynamic

RAID levels

mounting
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File permissions
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Junctions
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Backup/restore
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Encryption/Compression
Manage users and groups
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CPL/AT/Comp Mgmt/Local Users and Groups

Define:
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

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logon accounts
groups (for authorization)
profile, logon script, home directory
Disable accounts
Set passwords
CPL/Local Security Settings/Account Policies
CPL/Local Security Settings/Local Policies/User
Rights Assignments
Create startup/shutdown scripts
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Startup scripts
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Logon scripts
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Logoff trapping
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shutdown command
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Choice of language

batch files

Visual Basic

Perl,Python,OORexx,etc.
Log activity and review logs
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Event Viewer
Logging events


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WshShell.LogEvent()
Perl Win32::EventLog Report()
Resource kit tools



dumpevt
eventquery.vbs
eventtriggers.exe
Schedule periodic tasks
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Task scheduler
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schtasks command
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Gotchas
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
Runas

Run only if logged on

verifying execution
*.job files in C:\windows\tasks
Define/manage processes &
services
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start, runas commands
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Task Manager
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tasklist, taskkill commands
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sc command
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www.sysinternals.com

Process Explorer

PS Tools
Manage and audit resources
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CPL/System


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CPL/AT/Local Security Policy

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Local Policies/Audit Policies
CPL/AT/Performance

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Hardware/Device Manager
Advanced/Performance/Settings
also, Task Manager
Other tools


www.pxserver.com: winaudit
www.sysinternals.com
Configure network & network
security
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CPL/Network Connections

Local Area Connection Properties
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Client for Microsoft Networks
File and Printer Sharing

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
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suggest using tray icons for connection status
CPL/Windows Firewall

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with passwords on files and printers
Exceptions/Add Program and Port
Advanced/Security Logging and ICMP
netsh command
netstat command
Hands-On Time
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runas command
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Backing up and Restoring
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Setting File Permissions
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Using Task Manager
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Scheduling a Task
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Viewing Events
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Setting Windows Firewall Exceptions