Enterprise Server Strategies for the CIOEmail Alerts
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Special Report: App delivery in a 24/7 world
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Ten great summer books for IT pros
Stretch your mind this summer with one or more of these great books. We cover it all from Microsoft to the evolution of the Helvetica font. Summer reading list
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Microsoft licensing enhancements aid service model approach
Microsoft continues to tweak its licensing in support of customers considering a move to the service model now or down the road. Q&A
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Top five Windows Server tips of 2010
Ring in the New Year with the top Windows Server tips of 2010, including the most common Hyper-V hiccups to avoid and the latest on domain controller virtualization. Top Tips
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Five Windows Server books to watch for in 2011
Looking to take your Windows know-how to the next level? Motivated admins might consider adding these books to their reading lists in 2011. 2011 Preview
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Microsoft Exchange Server 2010 spotlight
With SP1 now available, organizations are likely to pay closer attention to what the latest version of Microsoft’s popular messaging system has to offer. IT Spotlight
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Top iPhone apps for Windows admins: Jump Desktop
Windows admins can manage their PCs from their iPhones with Jump Desktop, a remote desktop management application noted for its quick setup and extensive RDP support. Slideshow
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Top iPhone apps for Windows admins: Admin Pocket Consultants
The Admin Pocket Consultants are a series of mobile mini-books that cover a variety of Microsoft topics, including several Windows platforms, Active Directory and SharePoint. Slideshow
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Guide to Microsoft System Center
System Center is Microsoft's trademark systems management product suite. This page will guide you through what's what, with details on the latest features and releases. Learning Center
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Microsoft SharePoint 2010 spotlight
The latest version of Microsoft's popular collaboration platform includes new features for admins concerned with governance and backup issues. IT Spotlight
- See More: Essential Knowledge on Windows Server Monitoring and Administration
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Configuration Manager R3 zeros in on power management
Microsoft has put an emphasis on green IT with its next release for System Center Configuration Manager 2007, but will organizations feel the need to upgrade? Article | 18 Aug 2010
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Microsoft critical support plan comes with sticker shock
For a hefty price, Microsoft now offers a dedicated support plan for computers in Windows shops where even a second of downtime is too much. Article | 11 Aug 2010
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Mark Russinovich moves to Azure – what does it all mean?
News that the Sysinternals guru has joined Microsoft's Windows Azure team has lit up the Web, and could inspire more interest in the company's overall cloud platform. News | 05 Aug 2010
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New Azure appliance too big for IT
Microsoft's "Azure-in-a-box" announcement might be a big step forward for the private cloud, but its limited release only makes it viable for very large organizations. News | 13 Jul 2010
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Free Windows performance monitoring tools not to be missed
Unbeknownst to some admins, the latest versions of Windows Server include new or updated tools that can minimize the need for third-party options. Article | 22 Jun 2010
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Windows 7 and 2008 R2 service packs go beyond virtualization
While dynamic memory features have received most of the press, the first service pack for Windows 2008 R2 will also include improvements to DirectAccess and Active Directory. Article | 11 Jun 2010
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What is Windows Server AppFabric?
There are two versions of AppFabric – one for cloud applications and another for in-house apps. Here's what they can do for you. Article | 04 Jun 2010
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What's next for Windows Server and beyond?
While details on the next release of Windows Server have already started to trickle out, it could be the last traditional server OS from Microsoft before the cloud takes over. Column | 11 May 2010
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Mark Minasi, Microsoft MinWin and you
Microsoft has a long way to go before it reaches its goal for MinWin. Windows expert Mark Minasi talks about what MinWin means to IT professionals. Article | 04 Dec 2009
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Top free tools for Windows server administration
They say the best things in life are free, and that's definitely true for Windows tools. Our experts pick some of their favorite freeware and open source utilities for server admins. Article | 06 Apr 2009
- See More: News on Windows Server Monitoring and Administration
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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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How MAP Toolkit 6.5 can put you on the right migration path
The latest edition of the Microsoft Assessment and Planning Toolkit offers expanded features to ease local and cloud-based migrations. Tip
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Using Microsoft PerfView to profile process performance data
Microsoft made its internal performance monitoring tool available to the public. Here's how it offers an advanced peek at application processes. Tip
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Bringing Windows RDS to the web: Designing the DMZ
Remote Desktop Gateway secures Internet access for Remote Desktop Services applications – if you set it up properly. Tip
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Remote Management in Windows Server 8
Windows Server 8 is set to improve on a solid remote management foundation, but there are changes, like the move to GUI-less deployments, to consider. 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
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Hidden gems in Windows Server 2008 R2's Resource Monitor tool
You don't have to download a freeware tool to adequately monitor your system performance. Here's how to leverage the new features available to Windows Server admins. Tip
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How DirectAccess can improve your organization’s security
There's more to this VPN alternative than meets the eye; deploying DirectAccess can be a positive step for any business with remote workers. Tip
- See More: Tips on Windows Server Monitoring and Administration
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Can 32-bit and 64-bit domain controllers co-exist?
An admin wonders if running two new 64-bit servers and one 32-bit server as an Active directory server will cause problems. Our server management expert addresses this concern. Ask the Expert
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Is there a way to input multiple user accounts into a Windows 2003 database?
An admin wonders if it's possible to input multiple user accounts into a Windows Server 2003 database. Our server management expert supplies a method that administrators can use to complete this task. Ask the Expert
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Can native OS tools enable file-access auditing?
Our systems management expert explains how to set up file-access auditing using native tools in Windows and where third-party tools fit into the file-access auditing process. Ask the Expert
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Add domain group to local admins group on XP workstations at one time
I have a domain group that needs to be added to the local administrators group on all our WinXP workstations. How can I accomplish this all at one time, instead of connecting to computer management on all these workstations one at a time? Ask the Expert
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Receive all outgoing email in Exchange 2003
I'm using Exchange 2003 & Windows Server 2003 and I want to receive a copy of every outgoing email that is sent by every user. How can I do this? Ask the Expert
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Configure DNS in Windows 2003
How do I configure a DNS server in Windows 2003? Ask the Expert
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Allow users to access shared folders in Windows 2000
I have a Windows 2000 domain controller. I created an additional domain controller and created shared folders for users, but the users are not able to access those folders using Windows XP. Even after accessing and giving a username and password, it ... Ask the Expert
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Manipulating BGInfo.exe
I am an administrator at a small firm that has inherited a group of servers running Windows 2003 that have a desktop wallpaper using BGInfo.exe. When logging on it always shows an error about its services. I can't stop the service because it always s... Ask the Expert
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Can I adjust proxy settings to automatically set at each user login?
I am using a proxy server in our network and I manually set the proxy settings in Internet Explorer on every client computer. However, this exercise is repeated on every new user profile where numerous users are using one client machine. Is there any... Ask the Expert
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PCs connected via crossed Ethernet cable can't access each other
A reader with two Pentium PCs connected via a crossed Ethernet cable reports that they often cannot access each other. Ask the Expert
- See More: Expert Advice on Windows Server Monitoring and Administration
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Windows Sysinternals
Windows Sysinternals is a Microsoft-owned repository for freeware utilities. Definition
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DirectAccess
DirectAccess is a feature introduced in Windows Server 2008 R2 and Windows 7 that uses automated IPv6 and IPSec tunnels to allow remote users to access private network resources whenever they are connected to the Internet. Definition
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IIS (Internet Information Server)
Internet Information Server (IIS) is a group of Internet servers from Microsoft that can be installed with its Windows NT and 2000 operating systems. Definition
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Active Directory
Active Directory is Microsoft's trademarked directory service, an integral part of the Windows 2000 architecture. Like other directory services, such as Novell Directory Services (NDS), Active Directory is a centralized and standardized system. (Cont... Definition
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Microsoft System Center
Microsoft System Center is a suite of individually sold systems management products... (Continued) Definition
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catastrophic failure
Catastrophic failure is a complete, sudden, often unexpected breakdown in a machine, electronic system, computer or network. This may occur as a result of a hardware event such as a disk drive crash, memory chip failure or surge on the power line... ... Definition
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hotfix
A hotfix is code (sometimes called a patch) that fixes a bug in a product. Definition
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Active Server Page (ASP)
ASP is also an abbreviation for application service provider. Definition
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Recapping the year in Windows, looking ahead to 2011
Consultant and author Jonathan Hassell calls in to discuss the past year in IT and previews what's to come for Windows and other Microsoft technologies. Podcast
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The Windows Report -- Looking ahead to 2010
A quick recap of the year that was, with a look ahead to 2010. IT author and consultant Jonathan Hassell calls in to discuss what will be the big Windows topics next year. Video
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The Windows Report -- Will AD have your back in Windows 2008 R2?
In the August edition of The Windows Report, Don Jones discusses what to expect from the new Active Directory Recycle Bin in Windows Server 2008 R2, and Gary Olsen demonstrates how to quickly perform an AD replication health check. Click for full siz... Video
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A basic introduction to Windows PowerShell
Interested in learning to use Windows PowerShell? This short screencast explains the basics of the Microsoft scripting language and walks you through some simple commands to get you started. Video
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Windows Sysinternals
Windows Sysinternals is a Microsoft-owned repository for freeware utilities. Definition
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DirectAccess
DirectAccess is a feature introduced in Windows Server 2008 R2 and Windows 7 that uses automated IPv6 and IPSec tunnels to allow remote users to access private network resources whenever they are connected to the Internet. 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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How MAP Toolkit 6.5 can put you on the right migration path
The latest edition of the Microsoft Assessment and Planning Toolkit offers expanded features to ease local and cloud-based migrations. Tip
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Using Microsoft PerfView to profile process performance data
Microsoft made its internal performance monitoring tool available to the public. Here's how it offers an advanced peek at application processes. Tip
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Bringing Windows RDS to the web: Designing the DMZ
Remote Desktop Gateway secures Internet access for Remote Desktop Services applications – if you set it up properly. Tip
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Remote Management in Windows Server 8
Windows Server 8 is set to improve on a solid remote management foundation, but there are changes, like the move to GUI-less deployments, to consider. 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
- See More: All on Windows Server Monitoring and Administration
About Windows Server Monitoring and Administration
The key to Windows server performance often comes down to whether or not administrators are using the right tools. New server monitoring and management tools are coming out all the time, and our experts know the best free tools for Windows environments. This topic page features the top tools and utilities for troubleshooting and managing a Windows server. Check out our book excerpt from the Windows Administrator's Automation Toolkit to learn some helpful server management secrets, our series which analyzes the Windows Server 2003 Resource Kit, and tools and resources for Windows Server 2008. These utilities are sure to keep your Windows servers humming.