CIST 2413 - Microsoft Server Infrastructure

Prerequisite: CIST 2412
This course prepares students to deploy, configure, manage, and troubleshoot Windows Server environments within Microsoft Azure and hybrid on‑premises/cloud infrastructures. Emphasis is placed on modern server administration practices using Azure Arc, Azure Active Directory, Azure Compute, and hybrid identity and management tools. Students learn to migrate and modernize existing Windows Server workloads to Azure using services such as Azure Migrate, Azure File Sync, and hybrid networking technologies. Core topics include virtual machine deployment, identity and access management, Azure-based storage solutions, monitoring and performance optimization, configuration management, and securing workloads through Azure Security Center and Microsoft Defender. Hands‑on labs guide students through implementing Windows Server in Azure, managing virtual networks, configuring remote access, automating administrative tasks with PowerShell and Azure Automation, and troubleshooting hybrid server environments. Students also gain experience with business continuity strategies, backup and disaster recovery solutions (Azure Backup, Site Recovery), and scaling workloads in cloud and hybrid architectures. This course is aligned with the skills measured in the Microsoft AZ‑800 Administering Windows Server Hybrid Core Infrastructure certification exam and prepares students for hybrid systems administration roles in modern enterprise environments. Note: Students enrolled in this course will be assessed a $116.88 cost recovery fee in addition to tuition and fees. Fees can change at the end of the semester. Contact hours: Class - 2, Lab - 4. Credit hours: 4 (E)