Enterprise Server Strategies for the CIO- Monitoring and Administration
- Virtualization and Hyper-V
- Troubleshooting
- Consolidation
- Clustering
- Security
- Provisioning
Email Alerts
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Why should I look at Open Compute servers?
The Open Compute Project aims to bring streamlined servers to data centers of all sizes to make technology refreshes less painful.Answer
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Microsoft improves Windows 8 DirectAccess as a VPN alternative
Microsoft has made Windows 8 DirectAccess easier for small businesses to deploy, providing IT more control over Windows remote access than with a VPN.Tip
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Microsoft iSCSI Initiator
Microsoft iSCSI Initiator is a tool that connects external iSCSI-based storage to host computers with an Ethernet network adapter.Definition
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Year of PowerShell? The best Windows Server tips of 2012 for admins
We compiled our most popular Windows Server tips from this year and included Windows Server 2012 with its new and improved features.Feature
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Q&A: System Center 2012 SP1 to deliver key management features
Systems management expert Don Retallack offers details of next year's Microsoft System Center 2012 Service Pack 1.News | 03 Dec 2012
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Easier DirectAccess setup means a plausible VPN alternative for admins
DirectAccess used to be a complicated feature, but not anymore. In Windows Server 2012, simpler DirectAccess setup helps admins connect mobile users.Tip
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Enabling multi-server management in Windows Server 2012
By enabling remote management in Windows Server 2012, Microsoft opened the door for multi-server management remotely or locally.Tip
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Will quicker Office and Windows releases help or hurt IT?
As Microsoft tries to become as agile as Apple and Google, there's concern that fast-paced Windows releases won't work for enterprise customers.News | 15 Nov 2012
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built-in administrator account
The built-in administrator account is the first account created when an OS is installed on a new standalone server, member server or workstation.Definition
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hibernation
Hibernation is a mode in which a computer is turned off but saves its state to resume when it is turned on again.Definition
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Windows Azure competes with AWS, pushes more frequent, granular updates
Microsoft released a steady stream of Azure updates, keeping pace with AWS. Could this mean Azure IaaS is finally ready for the enterprise ring?Tip
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Hyper-V 3.0's virtual Fibre Channel feature explained
Microsoft MVP Brien Posey walks users through the process of establishing virtual Fibre Channel connectivity from a virtual machine to SAN storage.Video
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Use your PowerShell prowess to add VHD files to a Hyper-V VM
Need to import VHD files into Hyper-V, but don't know how to go about it? PowerShell to the rescue!Answer
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How to calculate proper Windows Server 2012 virtualization licensing
Licensing virtual servers can get confusing and expensive. Brien Posey shares the ins and outs of server licensing with a Windows Server 2012 example.Tip
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Heterogeneous virtualization shops aim to simplify management
Tools that plug in to native consoles can help VMware and Hyper-V shops tackle the challenges and complexities of multi-hypervisor management.News | 10 Apr 2013
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VHDX (Hyper-V virtual hard disk)
VHDX is a Hyper-V virtual hard disk (VHD) format found in Windows Server 2012.Definition
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Chapter excerpt and expert advice for getting started with Hyper-V
Curious about the newest version of Microsoft's hypervisor? In this Q&A, we talk with an expert about his advice for getting started with Hyper-V.Q&A
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Five things you might not know about the Hyper-V virtual switch
One of the most significant improvements in Windows Server 2012 might be the Hyper-V virtual switch. What makes this low-cost option such a big deal?Tip
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The Microsoft Hyper-V snapshot explained
Snapshots are an important management tool, but they aren't an alternative to backups. Find out how a Hyper-V snapshot works and how to use it.FAQ
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Using RDP to access Windows 8 virtual desktops
In Windows 8, try accessing Hyper-V VMs using RDP rather than the Hyper-V Manager. That gives you a more enhanced view of virtual desktops on those VMs.Tip
- VIEW MORE ON : Virtualization and Hyper-V
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memtest86
Memtest86 is an open source diagnostics utility for testing a computer's random access memory (RAM) on an x86 machine.Definition
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Extracting data from memory dumps with Event Tracing for Windows
Admins facing Windows Server frequent hangs and crashes can use a number of tools, like Event Tracing for Windows, to catch a badly behaving task.Windows Server
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Moving workloads to new servers
The task of moving a workload to a new server often seems simple enough, but the process is plagued with gotchas. Here’s what to watch for before making the move to new hardware.Tip
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How to create custom driver databases with Windows Deployment Services
Plug and Play isn't just for USB devices. Here's how to put it to work in your installation environment.Tip
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Windows Sysinternals
Windows Sysinternals is a Microsoft-owned repository for freeware utilities.Definition
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mscorsvw.exe
Mscorsvw.exe is a process that is used to precompile Microsoft .NET framework assemblies in the background.Definition
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Windows Server 8 data deduplication delivers efficient storage
Thought single-instance storage was as good as it gets? Server 8's native deduplication will increase efficiency, especially for virtual servers.Tip
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Using the Windows Application Compatibility Toolkit
The Windows Application Compatibility Toolkit can help make Windows Server upgrades easier.Tip
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Using Xperf stack walking to pinpoint kernel performance issues
The Xperf tool helps admins diagnose performance issues, but how do you granularly determine what function calls are eating up precious resources?Tip
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Understanding the Windows Server 8 Cluster Aware Update Wizard
Cluster-Aware Updating won't end Patch Tuesday – but it will make administration of server clusters much easier.Tip
- VIEW MORE ON : Troubleshooting
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Migrating a Linux file system to a Windows file system (or vice versa)
In-place file system conversions are not only difficult – they're also downright dangerous. If you need to migrate data, you've got other options.Tip
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Six ways to improve identity and access management (IAM) for Windows
The evolution of the enterprise has put a huge emphasis on identity management. These steps will help you take control of IAM – before it takes control of you.Tip
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Creating an energy-efficient server environment
Configuring servers to consume less power can yield significant savings. See how to make your servers more efficient with Core Parking, a new feature in Windows Server 2008 R2.Tip
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Extending your toolset with Windows PowerShell
Sometimes the operating system has the information you want, but it doesn't group it in a way that answers your questions. Here you'll learn one example of how to use Windows PowerShell to read performance data and gather intelligence about the server.Scripting School
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LDAP (Lightweight Directory Access Protocol)
LDAP (Lightweight Directory Access Protocol) is a software protocol for enabling anyone to locate organizations, individuals, and other resources such as files and devices in a network, whether on the public Internet or on a corporate intranet.Definition
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Writing simple scripts and functions in Windows PowerShell
In the last of our four-part series on working with Windows PowerShell, this screencast explains how to write simple commands and utilize functionality with Microsoft's scripting language.Screencast
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On standalone Hyper-V, a fuzzy picture emerges
Microsoft's standalone virtualization server, now called Hyper-V, won't be ready until late 2008. It's already stirring up questions.Article | 14 Nov 2007
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The admin's guide to server consolidation
This guide breaks down the basics of server consolidation, and provides the essential steps and strategies every admin needs to successfully reduce server sprawl.Windows Management Guide
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Exploring the Windows Server 2003 Resource Kit: Confdisk.exe
Another great tool from the Windows Server 2003 Resource Kit is the Disk Configuration Utility, which you can use to recover failed disks in a cluster. Systems administrator Tim Fenner breaks down the basics of using Confdisk.exe.Tip
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How to use app virtualization for server consolidation
Application virtualization presents a tremendous advantage during operating system migrations or server consolidation projects. It vastly reduces your system and application preparation time while ensuring that applications that are known to cause conflicts with each other will operate together on the same system.Tip
- VIEW MORE ON : Consolidation
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How Windows Server 2012 can solve Windows failover cluster headaches
In Windows Server 2012, Microsoft tried to smooth out some major Active Directory bumps in failover clusters. Did it fix what's bothering you?Tip
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Dynamic load balancing in Windows Server 2012: What you need to know
Expert Stephen Bigelow explains Windows Server 2012 dynamic load balancing, which can boost performance and reliability of mission-critical apps.Expert FAQ
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Dynamic Quorum gives failover clusters a boost in Windows Server 2012
The Dynamic Quorum Management option in Windows Server 2012 can make failover clusters more resilient. Here's how it works.Tip
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Cluster Shared Volumes and virtual storage provisioning decisions
Many data centers turn to Cluster Shared Volumes to manage resources. But proper virtual storage provisioning rests on multiple factors.Tip
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Year of PowerShell? The best Windows Server tips of 2012 for admins
We compiled our most popular Windows Server tips from this year and included Windows Server 2012 with its new and improved features.Feature
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cluster log (CL)
A cluster log (CL) is a record of cluster service activity in a server member cluster.Definition
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Microsoft Cluster Service (MSCS)
Microsoft Cluster Service (MSCS) is a service that provides high availability (HA) for applications such as databases, messaging and file and print services.Definition
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Guide to clustering in Windows Server 2012
In this guide, we highlight what's new with clustering in Windows Server 2012 and what you should do to make the most of these improvements.guide
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cluster quorum disk
A cluster quorum disk is the storage medium on which the configuration database is stored for a cluster computing network. The cluster configuration database, also called the quorum, tells the cluster which physical server(s) should be active at any given time.Definition
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Windows Server Failover Clustering gets boost from PowerShell cmdlets
In Windows Server 2012, there are 81 new and improved failover clustering PowerShell cmdlets. Here's how to make the most of their capabilities.Tip
- VIEW MORE ON : Clustering
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Why a Windows security scan is not enough to protect your workstations
A traditional Windows security scan may lure IT into complacency about desktop vulnerabilities, so look at four areas to beef up Windows security.Opinion
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Critical RDP, Internet Explorer fixes included in Patch Tuesday update
April's Patch Tuesday update fixes 13 vulnerabilities in IE, Remote Desktop Protocol, SharePoint 2013, Active Directory and Windows Defender.News | 09 Apr 2013
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Protecting data with BitLocker encryption in Windows Server 2012
Protecting sensitive data is a must for enterprises, and enhancements to BitLocker encryption in Windows Server 2012 can be a solid safeguard.Answer
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A quick look at BitLocker installation requirements
A basic BitLocker installation doesn't require any unusual steps, but deploying it on Windows Server 2012 comes with a few caveats.Answer
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How to use the BitLocker recovery options in Windows Server 2012
BitLocker offers two recovery methods in Windows Server 2012. Our expert defines the options and explains how to use recovery passwords and keys.ATE
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What the overhaul to Windows Server 2012 security means for you
IT teams have been voicing concerns about enterprise security for years. Improvements in Windows Server 2012 security show Microsoft is listening.Tip
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March 2013 Patch Tuesday brings Internet Explorer 8, 'evil maid' fixes
March's Patch Tuesday updates contain fixes for Internet Explorer 8 and a USB drive exploit. Plus, the company released non-security updates.News | 13 Mar 2013
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Microsoft patches vulnerabilities in Internet Explorer, Exchange
In a busy February Patch Tuesday, Microsoft fixed another critical Oracle vulnerability in Exchange. Plus, Internet Explorer received fixes.News | 13 Feb 2013
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Internet Explorer zero-day exploit overshadows light Patch Tuesday fixes
Admins begin the new year with a light Patch Tuesday that includes two critical bulletins, but they'll also want to pay attention to an exploit in IE.News | 09 Jan 2013
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Final Patch Tuesday of the year brings fixes to Windows, Office, IE
As 2012 draws to a close, Microsoft has one last batch of patches for admins. This month, Windows Server 2012, Office and Internet Explorer get fixes.News | 11 Dec 2012
- VIEW MORE ON : Security
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Test your Windows Server 2012 knowledge
How much do you know about Windows Server 2012, Microsoft's latest enhancement to its server product? Take our quick quiz.Quiz
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Provisioning for success with Hyper-V virtual machine deployments
With the ease in which new virtual machines can go up these days, VM sprawl can quickly get out of hand without the proper provisioning standards in place.Tip
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Sysinternals Autoruns utility beefs up software debugging
Already popular among Windows admins, the Autoruns utility has been tweaked to further improve the process of troubleshooting software issues on slow or unresponsive systems.Tip
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The philosophy of just-in-time server provisioning
By taking advantage of virtualization and other technologies, admins can learn to provision and deploy new servers quicker than ever.Tip
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An introduction to dynamic storage provisioning for Windows
Administrators can and save money reduce wasted disk space by implementing dynamic server provisioning in their environments.Tip
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Creating an energy-efficient server environment
Configuring servers to consume less power can yield significant savings. See how to make your servers more efficient with Core Parking, a new feature in Windows Server 2008 R2.Tip
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Microsoft still playing catch up with Service Manager
Microsoft is closer to delivering System Center Service Manager, but after long delays, the company may have missed the boat.Article | 30 Nov 2009
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Has PowerShell's time come for Windows admins?
While some have been reluctant to accept Windows PowerShell as a vital management tool, new releases prove that Microsoft's command-line shell technology is here to stay.Article | 24 Nov 2009
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Top five Server Core management tips for Windows 2008
While there are several advantages to using the bare-bones Server Core Installation of Windows 2008, it can still be a challenge for some admins who are used to working with a GUI. Here you'll find some useful tricks to take the headaches out of Server Core administration.Tip
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Does Microsoft Hyper-V fit in the dynamic data center?
Server virtualization has made the prospects of the dynamic data center a reality for organizations interested in minimizing costs. But does the first iteration of Hyper-V have what it takes to support it?Tip
- VIEW MORE ON : Provisioning