Get started

Get started

Bring yourself up to speed with our introductory content.

• Getting started with the SharePoint Online Management Shell

  The SharePoint Online Management Shell offers a new cmdlet set that runs in PowerShell to manage users, organizations and site collections. Continue Reading

• How to set up a virtual training lab that IT staff will use

  The investment in a virtual training lab means additional cost, but there can be payoffs for your staff. Continue Reading

• Configure claim rules for greater Office 365 access control

  Customized claim rules can be an important way to help your organization handle and enforce its Office 365 access policies. Continue Reading

• Create the best plan to merge Office 365 accounts

  Company acquisitions are never easy, especially when combining messaging platforms is required. Admins must be prepared if Office 365 is involved. Continue Reading

• How Exchange RBAC helps you set permissible tasks

  Once you know how to use it, RBAC can help you define which commands and tasks end users can access and perform in Exchange. Continue Reading

• Definitions to Get Started

  • Microsoft Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL)
  • Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA) certification
  • Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM)
  • Active Directory

  • Microsoft Windows Azure Active Directory (Windows Azure AD)
  • Microsoft Software Assurance (SA)
  • Active Directory forest (AD forest)
  • wbadmin

  View All Definitions

• Network Access Quarantine Control (NAQC)

  Network Access Quarantine Control (NAQC) is a Resource Kit tool in Windows Server 2003 and  Windows Server 2008 that allows administrators to prevent remote client computers from connecting to their network with machines that aren't secure.Continue Reading

• Microsoft AzMan (Microsoft Authorization Manager)

  Microsoft AzMan (Authorization Manager) is a role-based access and security framework for .NET applications.Continue Reading

• Receive Segment Coalescing (RSC)

  Receive Segment Coalescing (RSC) is an offload technology in Windows Server 2012 and Windows Server 2012 R2 that can help reduce how much of the CPU is used in network processing.Continue Reading

• How does Exchange Native Data Protection work?

  Take a look at what Exchange Native Data Protection does in Exchange 2013 to decide if it fits into your organization.Continue Reading

• Three ways to manage user accounts in Office 365

  Office 365 has three options to establish user accounts. Admins will need to choose the best one before performing a migration.Continue Reading

• How does write back cache improve performance?

  With Windows Server 2012 R2 and earlier, admins have access to write-back caching, leading to reasonable improvements for mission-critical workloads.Continue Reading

• How to build the best email encryption policy

  Admins run the risk of trouble whenever users are in control of encryption, so your safest bet is to avoid that risk altogether.Continue Reading

• Microsoft Exchange Server 2013 Managed Availability

  Microsoft Exchange Server 2013 Managed Availability is a built-in monitoring and recovery platform in Exchange 2013.Continue Reading

• MigrationWiz can make Office 365 migrations whiz by

  Native tools are useful for Office 365 migrations, but sometimes a third-party utility can simplify the complicated task of moving data.Continue Reading

• Microsoft Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS)

  Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS) is a server role in Active Directory that allows admins to manage and store information about resources from a network, as well as application data, in a distributed database.Continue Reading

• Microsoft Azure Active Directory Authentication Library (ADAL)

  Microsoft Azure Active Directory Authentication Library (ADAL) is a tool in the .NET framework that lets client applications developers authenticate users to an on-premises Active Directory deployment or to the cloud.Continue Reading

• Distributed File System Replication (DFSR)

  Distributed File System Replication (DFSR) is a replication engine that organizations can use to synchronize folders for servers on network connections that have a limited bandwidth.Continue Reading

• How Windows Server 2012 R2 can lead to network efficiency

  Admins looking to improve traffic efficiency have some new options to consider in the latest iteration of Windows Server.Continue Reading

• How to prepare for Active Directory in the cloud

  Use this feature as your guide to research the best ways your organization can get its Active Directory service ready for the cloud.Continue Reading

• Microsoft Azure File Service

  Microsoft Azure File Service is a service that allows Windows Server admins to access SMB shares in the Azure cloud by setting up file shares in the Azure management console.Continue Reading

• Incident reports are crucial when DLP rules are broken

  The best DLP policies are useless without a way to communicate when violations occur, so learn how to create incident reporting.Continue Reading

• invocation ID

  An invocation ID is an ID number that identifies databases within Active Directory and changes as AD is in a restore process. Invocation IDs change during the restore process to make sure replication is consistent.Continue Reading

• update sequence number (USN)

  An update sequence number (USN) is a 64-bit number in Active Directory that increments time as changes occur. Local counters on every domain controller assign USNs.Continue Reading

• Microsoft Hybrid Configuration Wizard

  The Microsoft Hybrid Configuration wizard is a tool in Exchange Server 2013 that provides a method for admins to create and configure hybrid deployments.Continue Reading

• Combine Office 365 tenants after a merger or acquisition

  When organizations combine infrastructures because of a merger or acquisition, Exchange admins have their work cut out for them. One task might be to merge Office 365 tenants.Continue Reading

• Build your knowledge of PowerShell scripting basics

  If you don't know the basics of PowerShell yet, it's time to buckle down and learn how this language can ease Exchange management tasks.Continue Reading

• Second Level Address Translation (SLAT)

  Second Level Address Translation (SLAT) is a technology designed to reduce the overhead in a hypervisor CPU while easing the management of a hypervisor's memory and is often found with Hyper-V.Continue Reading

• Microsoft Antimalware for Azure

  Microsoft Antimalware for Azure is a security extension in Microsoft Azure that extends antimalware protection to virtual machines and to cloud services.Continue Reading

• Microsoft System Center 2012 Service Manager (SCSM 2012)

  Microsoft System Center 2012 Service Manager (SCSM 2012) is a management product in the System Center 2012 suite that can help an enterprise automate and adapt its IT service management.Continue Reading

• A closer look at how Managed Availability stores information

  To learn Managed Availability's inner workings, Exchange admins must understand where it stores information and how to access it.Continue Reading

• Using Windows Server 2012 R2 disk optimization

  When it comes to the vital task of disk optimization, proper use of RAID and awareness of workloads can make the difference.Continue Reading

• The best way to configure Alternate Login ID

  Learn the prerequisites and general configuration steps before using Alternate Login ID to speed up an Office 365 install.Continue Reading

• The essential Office 365 migration guide

  Use this migration guide to learn everything your enterprise needs for migrating to Office 365, including research, decisions and management.Continue Reading

• Microsoft Azure Site Recovery

  Microsoft Azure Site Recovery is a new service in Microsoft Azure primarily used for disaster recovery purposes. First announced at TechEd 2014, Microsoft says the tool, which uses Azure as a target, will enable the failover of on-premises, Hyper-V ...Continue Reading

• Microsoft Windows Control Panel

  The Microsoft Windows Control Panel is a management tool for the Windows operating system (OS) that allows end users to change settings and manage tasks within the OS. Continue Reading

• Microsoft Azure RemoteApp (Remote Application Services)

  Microsoft Azure RemoteApp (Remote Application Services) is a program that allows organizations to make remotely accessed programs or applications in Microsoft Azure, known as RemoteApp programs, appear as if they are native to end users' local ...Continue Reading

• Microsoft Web Platform Installer (Web PI)

  Microsoft Web Platform Installer (Web PI) is a free tool Microsoft offers organizations so they can receive components in the Microsoft Web Platform.Continue Reading

• Microsoft Forefront Unified Access Gateway (Microsoft Forefront UAG)

  Microsoft Forefront Unified Access Gateway (Forefront UAG) is a tool that can provide a secure remote access option for remote end users who want to access corporate resources on PCs as well as on mobile devices.Continue Reading

• Microsoft Windows Update

  Microsoft Windows Update is a free Microsoft tool that installs security updates on machines.Continue Reading

• Microsoft Outlook MailTips

  Microsoft Outlook MailTips is an opt-in tool for Exchange Server 2013 that will send alerts to end users when they are about about to click "reply all" to a large distribution list, send sensitive information to someone outside the organization or ...Continue Reading

• Microsoft Windows Update Agent

  Microsoft Windows Update Agent is a tool that can work in conjunction with Windows Server Update Services on each client computer in an enterprise that checks for available updates.Continue Reading

• Microsoft Virtual Machine Bus (VMBus)

  Microsoft Virtual Machine Bus (VMBus) is a mechanism within the Hyper-V architecture that enables logical communication in partitions.Continue Reading

• Microsoft Virtual Machine Converter (MVMC)

  Microsoft Virtual Machine Converter (MVMC) is a supported stand-alone option that can convert VMware virtual machines and virtual disks into Hyper-V VMs and virtual hard disks.Continue Reading

• Microsoft Exchange Server Jetstress

  Microsoft Exchange Server Jetstress is a tool that administrators can use to validate their Exchange Server storage configuration.Continue Reading

• Windows Azure Pack

  Windows Azure Pack is a free available download of grouped Windows Azure technologies for use in an enterprise's data center and applications. It runs on top of Microsoft System Center 2012 R2 and Windows Server 2012 R2.Continue Reading

• Azure RMS offers a simpler data protection alternative

  The hosted version of Microsoft's on-premises Rights Management Services offers data protection features without the complexity.Continue Reading

• The best ways to use a WSUS server in Windows Server 2012 R2

  Admins can use Microsoft's native tool to manage OS updates across an enterprise network with the help of PowerShell.Continue Reading

• Windows Server Backup

  Windows Server Backup is a feature that offers backup and recovery options for Windows Server environments.Continue Reading

• Hyper-V live migration

  Hyper-V live migration is a Hyper-V feature that lets admins move running virtual machines from one failover cluster node to a cluster in the same node.Continue Reading

• Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP)

  A Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP) is an individual recognized by Microsoft for exceptional technical expertise and a talent for sharing knowledge within their technical community.Continue Reading

• managed print services (MPS)

  Managed print services (MPS) is the provision and oversight of business document output needs by an external service provider. Rather than dedicating internal resources to business activities related to printing, a company outsources them, freeing ...Continue Reading

• File Server Resource Manager (FSRM)

  File Server Resource Manager is a features set in the File and Storage Services server role that helps admins classify and manage stored data in file servers for data management.Continue Reading

• Windows Deployment Services (WDS)

  Windows Deployment Services is a server role that gives admins the ability to deploy Windows operating systems remotely.Continue Reading

• iSCSI Target Server

  ISCSI Target Server is a server that lets administrators boot multiple computers to a network from a single operating system image in a central location.Continue Reading

• Exchange Server 2013 Service Pack 1 (SP1)

  Exchange Server 2013 SP1 is a service pack for Exchange Server 2013 that includes a number of new and updated Exchange Server 2013 features and capabilities.Continue Reading

• Microsoft System Center 2012 Data Protection Manager

  Microsoft System Center 2012 Data Protection Manager (DPM) is a tool in System Center 2012 that provides file servers, virtual servers, Exchange Server, SharePoint and SQL Server with disk-based, tape-based and bare metal recovery capabilities.Continue Reading

• Global Update Manager (GUM)

  Global Update Manager is a cluster component in the Windows Cluster Architecture.Continue Reading

• Proper care of your new ADFS server

  Once implemented, ADFS becomes a vital part of your enterprise. Managing it and keeping it highly available is essential.Continue Reading

• Active Directory Certificate Services (AD CS)

  Active Directory Certificate Services (AD CS) is an Active Directory tool that lets administrators customize services in order to issue and manage public key certificates.Continue Reading

• RODC (read-only domain controller)

  A read-only domain controller (RODC) is a domain controller that hosts an Active Directory database's read-only partitions.Continue Reading

• Windows Azure Backup

  Windows Azure Backup is a tool that automatically sends backups to Windows Azure.Continue Reading

• Should you migrate to Windows Server 2012 R2?

  It's time to seriously consider migration plans for Windows Server 2012 R2. Learn best practices, what's new and more.Continue Reading

• Microsoft Windows Server 2012 Remote Access

  Remote Access is a Windows Server 2012 and Windows Server 2012 R2 feature that combines DirectAccess, Routing and Remote Access Service features. Continue Reading

• Microsoft Certified Educator (MCE)

  Microsoft Certified Educator (MCE) is a credential to certify that an educator is literate in global technology and can provide students with an education that combines technology and learning in the classroom.Continue Reading

• Microsoft Windows Performance Monitor

  The Microsoft Windows Performance Monitor is a tool that admins can use to examine how programs running on their computers affect their performance.Continue Reading

• A closer look at virtual hard disks in Windows Server 2012 R2

  The VHDX format includes performance-enhancing features and capabilities that let virtual servers recover VMs with little to no data loss.Continue Reading

• Microsoft Windows Live Migration compression

  Live Migration compression is a Windows Server 2012 R2 process to compress memory data before it's sent over a network. Once the data reaches its destination, the memory is decompressed.Continue Reading

• Information security project considerations for IT managers

  Being an IT project manager isn't easy, but you can improve your information security skills and knowledge to make your job easier.Continue Reading

• Windows Domain Join

  Windows Domain Join is a feature that lets users establish a remote and secure connection to a work domain using credentials from the enterprise, allowing them to effectively "join" that domain.Continue Reading

• Microsoft Certified Educator improves education and technology ties

  This new certification teaches educators how to effectively use the link between learning and Microsoft technology in the classroom.Continue Reading

• Compression eases Live Migration process in Windows Server 2012 R2

  By using Live Migration compression, smaller VM files are transferred more quickly between systems and have fewer resent or dropped packets.Continue Reading

• How Remote DMA improves Live Migration in Windows Server 2012 R2

  The RDMA feature can use high-throughput, low-latency data exchanges to improve Live Migration's performance in Windows Server 2012 R2.Continue Reading

• Configuring Web Application Proxy with AD to future-proof Exchange

  To use Web Application Proxy for publishing Exchange to the Internet, admins can ease the process with simple AD and Exchange configurations.Continue Reading

• Giving OWA themes a makeover in Exchange 2013

  When senior management asks to have the corporate colors or logo in OWA, there's an easy way to create and configure new OWA themes.Continue Reading

• Microsoft Second Shot gives IT pros free retake of certification exams

  The latest Second Shot promotion lets admins retake certain certification exams for free. But the offer only lasts until May 2014.Continue Reading

• How to successfully install Node.js applications on IIS

  Microsoft's support for JavaScript engine Node.js applications on Windows Azure has brought the functionality to IIS. Here's how to set it up.Continue Reading

• Web Application Proxy

  Web Application Proxy is a service in Windows Server 2012 R2 that allows end users to access applications from outside the corporate network on any device.Continue Reading

• Workplace Join

  Workplace Join is a tool in Windows Server 2012 R2 that allows a Windows 8.1 device to gain access to specific network resources. Continue Reading

• Windows Server 2012 R2 Storage Spaces addresses storage growth demands

  Windows Server 2012 R2 Storage Spaces offers an alternative to traditional SAN storage and includes updates for virtualizing shared storage.Continue Reading

• SharePoint 2013 Design Manager snippet

  A SharePoint 2013 Design Manager snippet is HTML markup that can be copied and pasted into a SharePoint Master Page Design file.Continue Reading

• PowerShell provider (Windows PowerShell provider)

  A Windows PowerShell provider is a .NET program that allows the data in a specialized data store to be accessable in Windows PowerShell.Continue Reading

• Active Directory Federation Services' new features are cloud-ready

  Active Directory Federation Services was updated in Windows Server 2012 R2 with Workplace Join and improved single sign-on features.Continue Reading

• DirSync (Windows Azure Active Directory Sync)

  DirSync (Directory Synchronization) is a tool for making copies of a local directory in a hybrid cloud deployment of Microsoft Exchange.Continue Reading

• Microsoft Windows PowerShell 4.0

  Microsoft Windows PowerShell 4.0 is the version of the PowerShell scripting language found in Windows Server 2012 R2.Continue Reading

• Microsoft System Center 2012 R2

  Microsoft System Center 2012 R2 is the newest version of the server management suite of products.Continue Reading

• cluster name object (CNO)

  A cluster name object (CNO) is an Active Directory computer object linked with the network resource Cluster Name.Continue Reading

• Microsoft TechEd

  TechEd is an annual Microsoft technical conference for IT professionals.Continue Reading

• Microsoft Virtual Academy (MVA)

  The Microsoft Virtual Academy (MVA) is a free online school with courses that cover Microsoft-related topics and specific Microsoft products.Continue Reading

• Microsoft Active Directory Rights Management Services (AD Rights Management Services)

  Active Directory Rights Management Services (AD RMS) is a security tool that provides a safeguard to prevent unauthorized access to data.Continue Reading

• remote code execution (RCE)

  Remote code execution is a security vulnerability that allows an attacker to execute codes from a remote server.Continue Reading

• Dynamic Quorum

  Dynamic Quorum is the ability of a cluster to recalculate a quorum as it maintains a working cluster.Continue Reading

• Work Folders (Windows Server 2012 R2)

  Work Folders is a feature in Windows Server 2012 R2 that allows Windows users to store and access work files on personal PCs and Windows devices as well as corporate PCs. Continue Reading

• Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R2

  Windows Server 2012 R2 is the second iteration of Windows Server 2012.Continue Reading

• Microsoft Outlook Web App (OWA) 2013

  Microsoft Outlook Web App (OWA) 2013 is the Web-based email client included in Exchange Server 2013.Continue Reading

• FOPE (Forefront Online Protection for Exchange)

  FOPE (Forefront Online Protection for Exchange) is a discontinued cloud service for organizations using Exchange Server or Exchange Online.Continue Reading

• Microsoft Exchange Online Protection (EOP)

  Microsoft Exchange Online Protection (EOP) is an email cloud service that provides end users with protection against spam and malware.Continue Reading

• Microsoft System Center 2012 SP1(Microsoft System Center 2012 Service Pack 1)

  Microsoft System Center 2012 SP1 is a service pack for System Center 2012 that brings management capabilities and support to Windows 8 and Windows Server 2012 machines.Continue Reading

• Microsoft Dynamic Access Control (DAC)

  Microsoft Dynamic Access Control (DAC) is a data governance tool in Windows Server 2012 that lets admins control the permission of access settings in an organization.Continue Reading

• iSCSI target (Internet Small Computer System Interface target)

  ISCSI target is a storage option in an Internet Small Computer System Interface server that manages connections between servers that need access to the targets and the iSCSI storage subsystem in a storage area network.Continue Reading

• Explaining cutover vs. staged Office 365 migrations

  Various options exist for companies planning Office 365 migrations. Cutover and staged migrations are possibilities, but what exactly do they entail?Continue Reading