Are you familiar with the server system?
If not, I would suggest you use the binaries initially until you learn how eqemu servers work. There is enough fun with the database alone to keep you busy for many nights. If you want to do custom work to the server side code, then you can begin compiling. Use a released source code set and you can even open the visual studio vile with your compiler and go have a field day.
http://eqemulator.net/download.php