Getting Started With Sharepoint 2010: Resources For New Administrators
Understanding SharePoint Architecture and Components
SharePoint 2010 builds upon Microsoft’s web-based collaboration platform with enhanced enterprise content management capabilities. At its core, SharePoint relies on a farm topology comprised of front-end web servers and back-end database servers working together to provide services like document libraries and lists. Understanding the architecture helps administrators plan and manage their deployment.
Overview of Web Applications, Site Collections, Sites, Libraries and Lists
SharePoint objects exist within a hierarchy. At the top level are web applications, which contain configurable settings, security policies and usage quotas. Underneath each web app are site collections, which group together intranet portals or team sites. Within each site collection are various collaboration spaces called sites, which then contain document libraries and lists for managing files and data.
Server Roles and Services
A SharePoint farm utilizes server computers configured with specific server roles to enable various services. Some key roles include:
- Front-end web server – Handles requests from users
- Application server – Manages applications and farm services
- Database server – Provides storage for content and configuration data
- Search server – Crawls content to enable search capabilities
Services enabled in a SharePoint farm include:
- Search service – Indexes and retrieves enterprise content
- Managed metadata service – Provides a centralized taxonomy for classifying items
- User profile service – Manages user properties and preferences
- Workflow service – Automates business processes for review and approval
Installing and Configuring SharePoint
Hardware and Software Requirements
Carefully reviewing the system specifications before deployment ensures a stable SharePoint environment…
Installation Process and Considerations
The SharePoint 2010 installer enables administrators to set up an initial farm topology by specifying server roles…
Post-Installation Configuration Steps
After running the base SharePoint installation wizard, administrators need to complete additional configuration on the farm before allowing end user access…
Managing SharePoint Security and Permissions
Applying thoughtful access control policies in SharePoint 2010 balances organizational collaboration needs with information protection requirements…
Configuring Authentication Providers
SharePoint integrates with identity stores like Active Directory for user authentication…
Setting Up User Profiles and Permissions Levels
Managing user access starts with configuring user profiles in the SharePoint User Profile service…
Managing Access with Groups and Policies
SharePoint allows administrators to use SharePoint groups, Active Directory groups or a combination to grant permissions…
Customizing the SharePoint Interface
An engaging portal interface promotes site usage and adoption. SharePoint 2010 provides several options for customizing look and feel…
Changing Branding, Logos and Themes
To align with organizational branding, administrators can customize master pages and page layouts, upload logos and images, change colors and fonts through CSS editing, apply themes or use alternative rendering templates…
Modifying Page Layouts and Site Templates
For deeper design changes, SharePoint Designer 2010 enables editing default page layouts and site templates that ship with SharePoint as well as creating new ones…
Adding Web Parts and Custom Components
Web parts allow end users to add modular UI components to pages for additional functionality. Developers can also build custom web parts using SharePoint APIs…
Integrating SharePoint with Other Systems
While SharePoint provides robust collaboration features out of the box, integrating external systems expands possibilities for managing enterprise information in context…
Connecting to External Data Sources
Using Business Connectivity Services in SharePoint 2010, administrators can surface data from databases, web services and proprietary applications in SharePoint sites as external lists…
Enabling Collaboration through Office Apps
Built-in integration with Microsoft Office desktop apps like Outlook and Excel extends SharePoint collaboration capabilities for knowledge workers…
Developing Custom Solutions with SharePoint APIs
For advanced integration needs, SharePoint provides server-side APIs for developing custom Web Parts, workflows, pages and applications…
Monitoring and Maintaining SharePoint
Administering a SharePoint environment requires vigilance in monitoring health and performance, regularly backing up data and applying updates…
Using Logs and Reporting to Track Issues
SharePoint logs extensive diagnostic data for troubleshooting errors and monitoring usage metrics. Centralized reporting dashboards surface actionable insights…
Performing Backups and Restores
To prevent data loss, administrators need to configure regular SQL database backups as well as SharePoint farm configuration backups and test restores…
Applying Software Updates and Hotfixes
Microsoft periodically releases software updates, hotfixes and security patches for SharePoint. Farm administrators need to test and carefully apply updates during maintenance windows…
Additional Resources for SharePoint Administrators
Beyond official Microsoft documentation, many community resources exist to support continuous learning for SharePoint administrators…
User Groups and Community Forums
Active online SharePoint user groups and forums, like the SharePoint Community forums, provide venues for administrators to discuss best practices and get questions answered by peers…
Books and Training Courses
Microsoft Press books, instructor-led training courses and online learning paths offer structure opportunities for new administrators to deepen their SharePoint knowledge…
Microsoft Support Options
For critical production issues, Microsoft offers paid support agreements with guaranteed response times and access to product engineers…
