Installing Windows Professional and Server from compact disc

There isn't a single "modern equivalent" to Windows Server 2000, as the operating system landscape has evolved significantly since then. However, depending on your specific needs and goals, there are several options to consider:
Modern Windows server platforms:

• Windows Server 2022: The latest version of Windows Server, offering significant advancements in security, performance, and management compared to older versions. It's ideal for modern workloads and cloud integration.
• Windows Server 2019: The previous version of Windows Server, still offering advanced features but not as up-to-date as 2022.
• Windows Server 2016: An older but still supported version suitable for less demanding workloads.

Alternative platforms:

• Linux distributions: Many Linux distributions like Ubuntu Server, CentOS Stream, and Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) offer robust and secure server platforms with strong community support. They are popular for cloud deployments and web hosting.
• FreeBSD: Another open-source server operating system with a long history and focus on stability and security.

The best choice depends on several factors, including:

• Your specific needs and usage: Are you running applications designed for Windows Server 2000? Do you need specific features like Active Directory?
• Hardware compatibility: Older hardware might not be compatible with the latest Windows Server versions.
• Security concerns: Running unsupported software like Windows Server 2000 poses significant security risks.
• Budget and technical expertise: Modern Windows Server versions require licensing and may need more technical expertise to manage.

Important note: Microsoft ended support for Windows Server 2000 in 2010, meaning it no longer receives security updates, making it highly vulnerable to attacks. Using it in any production environment is strongly discouraged.

Windows Server 2019 can be installed both through the cloud and using a physical installation media like a CD-ROM. Here's a breakdown of your options:
Cloud-based installation:

• Microsoft Azure: You can deploy and manage Windows Server 2019 virtual machines directly within the Azure cloud platform. This option offers scalability, pay-as-you-go billing, and remote access features.
• Other cloud providers: Some other cloud providers like Amazon Web Services (AWS) or Google Cloud Platform (GCP) also offer pre-configured Windows Server 2019 instances you can rent and manage through their respective interfaces.

Physical media installation:

• CD-ROM: Microsoft still provides ISO download options for Windows Server 2019, enabling you to create bootable installation media like a CD-ROM or USB drive. This option offers more control over the installation process and is suitable for on-premises deployments.
• Retail DVD: While less common, Microsoft also used to offer Windows Server 2019 through retail DVD media, although availability might vary depending on your region.

Choosing the right installation method depends on your needs:

• For cloud-based deployments and flexibility, choose an option through a cloud provider.
• For on-premises installations and more control, consider using a CD-ROM or DVD.

Additional factors to consider:

• Licensing agreement: Ensure you have the appropriate licensing agreement for your chosen deployment method.
• Hardware compatibility: Verify your hardware meets the minimum requirements for Windows Server 2019 installation.
• Technical expertise: Cloud-based deployment might require less technical expertise, while physical media installations require more manual configuration.

There are several ways to install Windows. The least complicated way is to install it from the CD-ROM on the local machine. This is typically how it is done when you install the first domain controller in your Windows domain. Installation of Windows from a compact disc involves starting the computer from a compact disc or floppy disks and proceeding through several wizards.

The first part of the Setup program is text based. To run the Setup program, perform the following tasks:

1. Start the computer from the compact disc, or boot from the Setup disks if you do not have a bootable CD-ROM drive, and insert the additional Setup disks when prompted.
   Installing Windows Professional and Server from Compact Disc
   
   Creating Setup disks : Create the four Setup disks by running the Makeboot.exe program from another computer running Windows. Makeboot.exe is located in the Bootdisk folder on the Windows compact disc. To create the Setup disks:

   1. Click Start
   2. Click Run
   3. Type makeboot a: in the Open box, and then click OK
   4. Follow the directions on the screen
   Alternately, you can start Setup from inside another operating system.
   Legacy Operating System Installation
   To start Setup from Windows 95, 98, or NT do the following:

   1. Navigate to the Windows CD
   2. Run the winnt32.exe program from the i386 folder
   3. In MS-DOS, change drives to the CD-ROM, change the directory to i386, and run the winnt.exe program
2. Select To Set Up Windows Now, click ENTER.
3. Read and accept the licensing agreement.
4. Select the partition on which to install Windows.
5. Select a file system for the new partition. If installing the operating system on an existing FAT or FAT32 partition, you can specify whether you want to convert the partition to NTFS.

In the next lesson, you will learn how to begin using the Windows Setup Wizard.