Microsoft 70-412: Advanced Windows Server Services Course

Course overview

Microsoft 70-412: Configuring Advanced Windows Server 2012 Services Online Course at Horizons Unlimited delivers in-depth technical instruction focused on advanced configuration, management, and optimization of Windows Server 2012 and Windows Server 2012 R2 environments. This course addresses enterprise-level services including advanced DNS and DHCP, Active Directory infrastructure, certificate services, network load balancing, failover clustering, Hyper-V virtualization, identity federation, and disaster recovery. Instruction aligns directly with Microsoft Exam 70-412 objectives, supporting professionals responsible for designing, implementing, and maintaining resilient Windows Server infrastructures in complex organizational environments.

What you'll learn

Course Information

Course Name: Microsoft 70-412: Configuring Advanced Windows Server 2012 Services Online Course
Website: Horizons Unlimited
Total Video Hours: 18 Hrs 10 Min
Total Videos: 51
Delivery Mode: Online, on-demand
Skill Level: Advanced / Professional
Certification Alignment: Microsoft Exam 70-412 (MCSA Windows Server 2012)
Update Coverage: Includes Windows Server 2012 R2 updates

Included in This Course

51 professionally recorded, exam-aligned video sessions
Advanced Windows Server 2012 and 2012 R2 configuration guidance
Enterprise-focused DNS, DHCP, and IP address management topics
Active Directory forest, trust, replication, and identity services coverage
Practical demonstrations of failover clustering and network load balancing
Hyper-V virtual machine replication and migration concepts
Identity protection with AD RMS, ADFS, and Dynamic Access Control
Disaster recovery strategies and Windows Server backup configuration
Preparation support for Microsoft 70-412 certification exam

Course Outline

Microsoft 70-412 Course Modules

Mod 01 Configuring Advanced DNS Services
Mod 02 Advanced DHCP Services
Mod 03 Active Directory Forest Configuration
Mod 04 Active Directory Certificate Services
Mod 05 ISCSI And ISNS
Mod 06 Configuring IPAM
Mod 07 Network Balancing
Mod 08 Failover Clusters
Mod 09 Configuring Hyper-V Virtual Machines
Module 10 Dynamic Access Control
Module 11 Active Directory Rights Management Services
Module 12 Active Directory Federation Services
Module 13 Disaster Recovery
Module 14 Configuring Additional Services

Microsoft 70-412: Configuring Advanced Windows Server 2012 Services

Microsoft 70-412: Configuring Advanced Windows Server 2012 Services Online Course focuses on the advanced administrative tasks required to operate and maintain enterprise-grade Windows Server environments. Modern organizations depend on highly available, secure, and scalable server infrastructures to support identity management, application hosting, virtualization, and business continuity. This course addresses those operational demands by concentrating on advanced Windows Server services validated by Microsoft Exam 70-412.

Windows Server 2012 introduced architectural improvements designed to increase reliability, security, and automation across enterprise networks. Configuring these features requires a deep understanding of core infrastructure services and how they integrate across distributed environments. This course builds on foundational server administration knowledge and extends it into advanced configuration scenarios used in production networks.

Advanced DNS and DHCP Services

Advanced Domain Name System (DNS) services form the foundation of reliable name resolution in enterprise networks. This course explains advanced DNS configurations, including DNS Security Extensions (DNSSEC), which protect DNS data from spoofing and tampering. Socket pool and cache locking mechanisms are addressed to enhance DNS server resilience against cache poisoning attacks. Advanced DNS settings support performance optimization and secure resolution across complex network topologies.

Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) services are expanded beyond basic address assignment. Topics include DHCP scopes, policy-based assignments, and DHCP high availability configurations. DHCPv6 is covered to support IPv6-enabled environments, ensuring consistent address management across modern networks. These services support scalability, automation, and fault tolerance in enterprise deployments.

Active Directory Forest and Identity Infrastructure

Active Directory (AD) forest configuration plays a critical role in managing identity and access across large organizations. The course explores Active Directory forests, sites, and trusts, emphasizing how replication topology and site design influence authentication performance and fault tolerance. Read-Only Domain Controllers (RODCs) are examined as a security-focused solution for branch office deployments.

Active Directory replication mechanisms are explained to clarify how directory changes propagate across domain controllers. Understanding replication behavior is essential for troubleshooting authentication issues and ensuring data consistency across distributed environments.

Certificate Services and Secure Communications

Active Directory Certificate Services (AD CS) enable public key infrastructure (PKI) deployment within Windows Server environments. This course explains AD CS architecture, certificate lifecycle management, and administrative tasks required to support secure authentication, encryption, and digital signatures. Certificate services underpin technologies such as secure email, VPNs, and smart card authentication.

Storage Services and IP Address Management

Storage integration is addressed through iSCSI and Internet Storage Name Service (iSNS). These technologies support centralized storage access over IP networks, enabling flexible and scalable storage solutions. Demonstrations clarify how servers connect to network-based storage resources in enterprise environments.

IP Address Management (IPAM) simplifies the administration of IP addressing, DNS, and DHCP services. The course explains how to install, configure, and manage IPAM to improve visibility and control over network addressing infrastructure.

Network Load Balancing and High Availability

Network Load Balancing (NLB) distributes client requests across multiple servers to improve availability and performance. The course explains how to install and configure NLB clusters and demonstrates practical implementation scenarios. Load balancing is essential for maintaining service availability during peak demand or server failures.

Failover clustering extends high availability by enabling servers to operate as a coordinated group. The course explains cluster architecture, cluster-aware updating, and failover behavior. Demonstrations illustrate how clustered services maintain continuity during hardware or software failures.

Virtualization with Hyper-V

Hyper-V virtualization is a core component of Windows Server 2012 infrastructure. This course explains how to create virtual machine replicas and migrate virtual machines between hosts. Hyper-V replication supports disaster recovery strategies by maintaining synchronized copies of virtual machines across locations. Understanding virtualization management is critical for modern data center operations.

Dynamic Access Control and Rights Management

Dynamic Access Control (DAC) enhances data security by applying access policies based on user attributes, device compliance, and resource classification. The course explains DAC configuration and demonstrates how organizations can enforce granular access policies across file servers.

Active Directory Rights Management Services (AD RMS) provides information protection by controlling how sensitive data is accessed and shared. The course explains AD RMS installation, management, and practical usage scenarios. Rights management supports compliance and data governance initiatives.

Federation Services and Identity Integration

Active Directory Federation Services (AD FS) enables identity federation across organizational boundaries. The course explains how to configure and manage AD FS to support single sign-on (SSO) and claims-based authentication. Federation services are critical for integrating on-premises identity systems with cloud and partner environments.

Disaster Recovery and Additional Services

Disaster recovery planning is a core responsibility of advanced server administrators. The course explains how to configure and restore Windows Server Backup to protect critical data and system states. Demonstrations reinforce recovery procedures required during system failures or data loss events.

Additional Windows Server services are addressed to provide broader exposure to advanced configuration scenarios. The course concludes by reinforcing the skills required to manage, maintain, and secure enterprise Windows Server infrastructures.

Microsoft 70-412: Configuring Advanced Windows Server 2012 Services Online Course supports IT professionals seeking validation of advanced server administration skills. By aligning technical instruction with real-world enterprise requirements and Microsoft certification objectives, the course prepares candidates to manage fault-tolerant, secure, and scalable Windows Server environments.