At the end of the course, students will be able to:

• Describe the role of Application Center in a Web-based environment.
• Install Application Center.
• Configure network adapters for network load balancing, create a cluster, and manage a Web application cluster.
• Create, deploy, and manage Application Center applications.
• Monitor the clusters and applications in an Application Center deployment.
• Plan and implement an n-tier architecture by using Application Center.

Before attending this course, students must have:

• Successfully completed Course 2153, Implemeting a Microsoft Windows 2000 Network Infrastructure, or equivalent knowledge and skills.

Module 1: Introduction to Microsoft Application Center 2000

The following topics are covered in this module:

• Application Center 2000 Product Benefits
• Application Center Concepts
• Application Center Features
• Microsoft Windows Server System™

At the end of this module, you will be able to describe the role of Application Center in a Web-based environment. This includes:

• Describing the benefits of Application Center.
• Describing the key concepts and terminology that is associated with Application Center.
• Describing the major features of Application Center.
• Identifying how Application Center fits into the Microsoft .NET strategy.

Module 2: Installing Application Center 2000

The following topics are covered in this module:

• Planning Network Connectivity
• Determining Hardware Connectivity
• Preparing Servers for Network Load Balancing
• Determining Software Requirements
• Installing Application Center
• Viewing the Administrative Client
• Identifying Default Accounts and Services

At the end of this module, you will be able to install Application Center. This includes:

• Describing how Application Center clusters fit into a Windows network.
• Describing the hardware requirements for the installation of Application Center.
• Describing how to configure a cluster when you use NLB with Application Center.
• Describing the minimum software requirements for a typical installation of Application Center and an installation of the Administrative snap-in.
• Describing the typical and Administrative client installation options.
• Describing how to verify an installation of Application Center by using the Application Center tool.
• Describing the default accounts and services that Application Center creates during installation.

Module 3: Creating and Managing a Cluster

The following topics are covered in this module:

• Introducing Load Balancing Mechanisms
• Introducing Windows 2000 Network Load Balancing
• Introducing Application Center 2000 Component Load Balancing
• Introducing Types of Clusters
• Creating a Cluster
• Managing a Cluster
• Managing a Cluster Member

At the end of this module, you will be able to configure network adapters for network load balancing, create a cluster, and manage a Web application cluster. This includes:

• Describing the mechanisms that are available for balancing network load across clusters of servers in Application Center.
• Describing the Windows 2000 Network Load Balancing options for use in Application Center.
• Describing the Application Center Component Load Balancing service.
• Describing the three types of clusters that you can create by using Application Center.
• Describing the process of creating the three types of cluster by using Application Center.
• Identifying the major tasks that you perform to manage a cluster in Application Center.
• Identifying the major tasks that you perform when you manage a cluster member in an Application Center cluster.

Module 4: Deploying and Managing an Application

The following topics are covered in this module:

• Using an Application Center Application
• Managing an Application Center Application
• Synchronizing an Application Center Application
• Deploying an Application Center Application
• Configuring Component Load Balancing

At the end of this module, you will be able to create, deploy, and manage Application Center applications. This includes:

• Describing the concept of an Application Center application and the process of building one.
• Describing how to manage an Application Center application.
• Describing application synchronization.
• Describing how to deploy an application by using Application Center.
• Describing the requirements for configuring an application for CLB.

Module 5: Deploying and Managing Applications Using Application Center 2000

The following topics are covered in this module:

• Introducing Health Monitor
• Configuring Health Monitor
• Examining Performance Data

At the end of this module, you will be able to monitor the cluster and applications in an Application Center deployment. This includes:

• Describing the components and features of Health Monitor.
• Describing how to configure a monitor in Health Monitor.
• Describing the different ways that you can view and analyze performance data that Application Center records.

Module 6: Creating a Plan to Implement Application Center 2000 in a Web Environment

The following topics are covered in this module:

• Implementing an N-Tier Architecture
• Defining a Change-Management Strategy
• Designing a Change-Management Infrastructure

At the end of this module, you will be able to plan and implement an n-tier architecture by using Application Center. This includes:

• Describing the composition and benefits of an n-tier architecture
• Defining a strategy to manage the process of updating Web content on Application Center clusters
• Describing the components of a change-management infrastructure