Project 4

Advanced Sounds makes audio systems for home entertainment centers, computers, industry, and motor vehicles. Over the past ten years this company has pioneered new technologies in audio systems, which have spurred rapid growth. The company has one large office, research, and manufacturing complex in New York City. This complex is divided into the following divisions: Business, Research and Development, Manufacturing, and Distribution. Parts manufacturing centers are in Quebec City and in Montreal. Advanced Sounds also has seven outlet stores in New York City, four outlets in Quebec City, and two in Montreal. Each outlet store has a WAN connection to the central office computer center in New York City.

Advanced Sounds is engaging in a full upgrade of its Windows Server 2008 R2 network to Windows Server 2016. The upgrade includes using Windows Server 2016 Active Directory. Advanced Sounds has pioneered many technological innovations and is very concerned about keeping its network and computer systems secure. Their Information Technology (IT) Department hires you to help them implement Windows Server 2016 Active Directory.

Project 4-1: Active Directory Installation Planning

Advanced Sounds IT Department has formed a small installation planning committee consisting of the IT server operations manager, two system programmers, the current Active Directory administrator, and you. After the first meeting they have asked you to prepare a small report to address the following questions:

• What tools are used in Windows Server 2016 to install Active Directory?
• What information is needed for the initial installation involving these tools?
• What special considerations exist in terms of having both Windows Server 2008 R2 and Windows Server 2016 servers as DCs?

Project 4-2: Active Directory Design

Due to a political decision several years ago, there is only one forest and domain for this company. Given what you know about the companys basic structure, how many forests, trees, and domains do you recommend? Do you recommend any sites? Note that there are four IP subnets at the New York City complex and two IP subnets at each of the Quebec City and Montreal locations. Create a report and if you have access to drawing software, create a diagram of your proposed design.

Project 4-3: Creating OUs

Until now, user accounts have been stored in only three OUs in the single domain. There is currently one OU for each of the New York City, Quebec City, and Montreal locations. The Advanced Sounds installation planning committee has decided to adopt your Active Directory structure proposed in Case Project 4-2, and now they want to also create OUs for each division in the company and place these under the domains that you have proposed. Further, the committee wants to have a computer technical specialist in each division to manage its OU and the user accounts under it. To help accomplish this, the committee asks you to create an instructional document that shows how to create an OU and delegate authority.

Project 4-4: Installing Servers at the Outlet Stores

All the outlet stores have grown and have their own networks with ten or more workstations. In the past, these stores have not had network connectivity to the home complex. However, this has created many problems due to extra paperwork and outdated handling of data. The installation committee would like to install WAN links to each outlet store and place servers in them. For efficiency, they would like to have the servers installed with Active Directory. Create a short report of your recommendations for installing a server at these outlet stores and include the reasoning behind your recommendations.