Here are links to three hardware vendors that provide server solutions with Microsoft Windows Server. Feel free to use these vendors (or any others that you like) when researching hardware options.
When reviewing current hardware options for our class, focus on tower and rackmount options. Tower servers tend to be geared toward small and mid-sized businesses; rackmounts toward mid-sized and large businesses. Blade servers are exceedingly complex and expensive for our purposes.
I have uploaded brief guides to a variety of virtualization software. Feel free to use these to get up-and-running with your virtualized environment. Files are located at the bottom of the page.
Thanks to Paul for sharing these!
Here is the link for a group of videos through ITfreeTraining through YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBBA04BF566F0E0D6
Galleries
I found a couple of nice e-portfolio galleries to provide some inspiration. The first gallery is from LaGuardia Community College in New York. The second gallery is from Clemson University.
Research
There is a fair amount of research that has been done with regard to e-portfolios. If you are interested, Virginia Tech has a fairly lengthy bibliography with some very good resources in a variety of topics. Also, Dr. Helen Barrett from the University of Alaska Anchorage surfaces frequently whenever there is a conversation regarding e-portfolios. I, personally, do not particularly care for her designs, but I appreciate her ideas.
Content
As far as things to include, I definitely suggest including writings from your different lives: work life, academic life, and perhaps personal life.
Additional Resources
Apparently the current term for "digital portfolio" is "social résumé" (well, sorta). Some neat tips here, including web sites to help you design and/or host your social résumé.
Why you Need a Social Résumé (and How to Build One) - The Daily Muse
I would be remiss if I did not include LinkedIn. As much a social site as it is a personal showcase, LinkedIn gives you an opportunity to build your professional network and build your digital résumé.
Straight from a Microsoft recruiter: "Personal Websites" (e.g. digital portfolios) are important (at least to this person).
Why Personal Branding Matters - Microsoft JobsBlog