For students...
Trying out software on your own... for free!
I recommend installing a free virtual machine on your home computer, which is a free download from Microsoft or VMWare (see the Hot IT Topics page). With that, you can install a wide range of operating systems - workstations and servers. You can play with the same software that is used to run most servers in industry today by downloading cd images free from your university Microsoft developers account (MSDN) (you should have received an email about this if you take a course in our department). You can then run servers, operating systems, applications that you are curious about as another program on your computer. You would learn the installation routine and choices, get a chance to explore configuration options, and if you'd like, fully utilize this software - i.e., run a file server or email server right off your laptop!
Some information on what employers are looking for