Problem solve

Problem solve

Get help with specific problems with your technologies, process and projects.

• Google Apps vs. Office 365 for business email systems

  With comparable cloud-based productivity suites, Google and Microsoft compete for enterprise users. In the Google Apps vs. Office 365 for business debate, which side are you on? Continue Reading

• Office 365 issues that torment email admins

  Tricky Office 365 problems are no treat to the IT admin. Fix the nuisances that corrupt your email with these troubleshooting treats. Continue Reading

• Email alternatives signal the end for traditional messaging

  With email alternatives permeating the workplace, the onus is on IT to allow employees to communicate and collaborate effectively from anywhere. Continue Reading

• Using PowerShell DSC to construct a Hyper-V host

  Administrators versed in PowerShell can streamline the process of using a server as a Hyper-V host. Continue Reading

• Better email collaboration with Exchange 2016

  The new versions of Office and Exchange make it easier to collaborate on documents in email. Use new features in Exchange Server 2016 and Outlook 2016 to work quicker and smarter. Continue Reading

• Small business security needs big strategies to keep Exchange safe

  To protect your small business's messaging environment, ensure that staff is properly trained and resolve all risks associated with your network.Continue Reading

• What are the guidelines for a better Active Directory backup?

  Administrators should have a regular Active Directory backup schedule and be sure to remove outdated backups to avoid storage issues.Continue Reading

• Can I restore Active Directory to different hardware?

  I need to restore Active Directory to a different hardware platform. Which backup method should I use to avoid problems?Continue Reading

• How to plan an Active Directory backup and restoration

  I need to back up Active Directory, but I'm not sure which method to use. What are my options for a painless backup and restoration effort?Continue Reading

• Can I thwart Exchange mailbox recovery by generating logs?

  I have limited drive space on my Exchange Server but need to restore large mailboxes. Can I prevent mailbox restores from a recovery database by circular logging?Continue Reading

• How do I move up from an Exchange 2013 single-server setup?

  I want to move from a single Exchange 2013 server to multiple servers, including multiple database and client access servers, for HA. What's the best way to do this?Continue Reading

• Check your hybrid Outlook Autodiscover performance

  IT shops with hybrid Office 365 and on-premises Exchange mailboxes need to know how Outlook Autodiscover works when mailboxes haven't migrated.Continue Reading

• Troubleshoot Windows Server file copy errors

  Copying large files to a Windows Server file share can sometimes fail. Performance Monitor or PowerShell commands can help find and fix file copy errors.Continue Reading

• Active Directory management tool clears the clutter

  ADSI Edit is a free tool that can repair Active Directory corruption or remove unwanted clutter. But use it incorrectly and it can spell disaster.Continue Reading

• Exchange email security best practices sanction self-assessments

  Do you have the guts and technology know-how to undertake a self-assessment of your organization's Exchange-related risks? If so, start here.Continue Reading

• Conversational Geeks explicate migrating to Office 365

  What's the best way to understand confusing technology concepts? Chat about it. The Conversational Geeks explain how to migrate to Office 365.Continue Reading

• Use a PowerShell script to force logoff an RDP session

  When end users remain logged in to an RDP session, it consumes valuable resources. Use this PowerShell script to force users to log off.Continue Reading

• Why is my Exchange 2013 mailbox migration moving slowly?

  My mailbox migration from Exchange 2010 to Exchange 2013 is moving very slowly. What might be causing this and how can I speed up the process?Continue Reading

• Availability requires monitoring mailboxes in Exchange 2013

  For a better understanding of Exchange Managed Availability, learn how to create and manage monitoring mailboxes, and how to fix a corrupted mailbox.Continue Reading

• What third-party Azure management tools should I use?

  SCOM 2012 is Azure's native monitoring platform, but these third-party cloud management tools give IT shops more control over their Azure environments.Continue Reading

• Do I need to migrate public folders to Exchange 2010?

  I'm finishing up an Exchange 2007 to 2010 migration. Do I need to switch over the public folders? If so, what is the best method to do it?Continue Reading

• Protect classified emails, thwart shadow IT

  Use Exchange and Office 365 to restrict and secure data that leaves an organization, and share documents more easily thanks to new features.Continue Reading

• How should we use SCOM 2012 for Azure management?

  Our organization uses Azure for cloud services, but we need a way to monitor health and performance. Can we use SCOM 2012 for Azure management?Continue Reading

• How do I restore my Exchange 2010 database after a hack?

  Hackers corrupted my Exchange 2010 files, so now I can't open them. How can I restore my server and prevent this from happening again?Continue Reading

• Should in-house staff or consultants handle Windows Server 2016 upgrades?

  Is it better to approach a potential Windows Server 2016 upgrade using in-house staff, or should we seek the help of consultants?Continue Reading

• What's the best way to handle Exchange mailbox limits?

  Exchange was running low on space, and Outlook asked if I wanted to archive my email messages. What will happen if I do that?Continue Reading

• Is RAID 5 or RAID 10 a better Exchange 2013 storage choice?

  Choosing the right RAID level for your Exchange 2013 setup can prevent disk failures and improve overall storage performance.Continue Reading

• Understanding common PowerShell automatic variables

  PowerShell automatic variables are read-only, which can cause issues in the scripting language. Prep yourself to deal with these common variables.Continue Reading

• Do you need third-party email security tools?

  Think you have a grip on email security? Ask these nine questions to determine if native security tools are enough or if you need a third-party tool.Continue Reading

• Secure an Office 365 and Exchange hybrid setup

  Keep these six factors in mind if your organization plans to keep some services on-premises and move others to the cloud.Continue Reading

• How secure are Hyper-V containers in Windows Server 2016?

  Container engines like Docker can compromise an entire root OS because of a lack of isolation. What steps can admins take to secure Hyper-V containers in Windows Server 2016?Continue Reading

• What's the best way to migrate public folders to Exchange 2013?

  We need to move more than 20,000 Exchange 2010 public folders to Exchange 2013. What's the best way to do this?Continue Reading

• How do Outlook clients know mailbox moves are done?

  I'm migrating Exchange 2010 mailboxes to Exchange 2013. How will Outlook clients know the mailboxes moved after the migration?Continue Reading

• What are SR-IOV pros and cons with Hyper-V?

  SR-IOV in Windows Server 2012 R2 supports Hyper-V Live Migration, but system requirements hampered adoption for some cases. Should everyone put PCIe SR-IOV to use?Continue Reading

• Should my small business move to Office 365?

  We're a small company with 200 mailboxes in on-premises Exchange 2013. What could Office 365 do that on-premises Exchange can't?Continue Reading

• What are the limitations and drawbacks of an IPAM server?

  Windows Server IPAM can only handle one Active Directory forest. Learn about other limitations.Continue Reading

• Addressing SSL/TLS flaws on Windows Server

  If you're running a known vulnerable version of SSL or TLS, you may be at risk for attacks. These factors will help you determine the threat level to your servers.Continue Reading

• Stop attackers from catching you in a phishing hack

  Exchange admins can use the recent State Department hack as a lesson in the importance of consistent security protocols.Continue Reading

• Switch authentication modes during a disaster recovery

  Converting authentication modes is a rare thing admins need to address, but it must be fixed right away when it happens -- and Microsoft's documentation on it is incorrect.Continue Reading

• How do I control the growth of Exchange 2010 database logs?

  I just upgraded to Exchange 2010, but Exchange is generating an immense amount of logs. How can I change this so they grow at a more reasonable rate?Continue Reading

• How to fix the five most common Outlook errors

  Do your users sound like broken records when it comes to Outlook error messages? Our expert has compiled his five most often seen error messages and their quick fixes.Continue Reading

• Three Windows Server SSL/TLS security flaws and how to fix them

  Recent vulnerabilities in SSL and TLS, like Heartbleed and FREAK, have exposed flaws in Windows Server. Even patching may not be enough.Continue Reading

• Set up Office 365 message encryption

  OME is a handy feature for Office 365 users who want to protect any information they send outside their organizations.Continue Reading

• Exchange load balancing prevents workload strain

  Exchange 2013 supports roles across multiple server nodes, but it's still important to balance workloads to prevent strain.Continue Reading

• Control Exchange Online access for a more secure organization

  Exchange Online's conditional access features gives organizations tighter control over how they keep end users' devices and information safe.Continue Reading

• IIS exploits in Windows Server and how you can fix them

  There are several flaws in IIS that can jeopardize the security of Windows servers. Here are some of the top threats and how to solve them.Continue Reading

• Simple steps to strengthen Exchange 2013 security

  Email is a treasure trove of sensitive information. Exchange administrators must frequently check five areas to ensure email security.Continue Reading

• Optimize Outlook to boost Exchange performance

  There's a simple explanation for why high-performance, highly resilient Exchange Server hardware can't service some Outlook end users.Continue Reading

• Three ways to handle a disabled mailbox in Exchange

  Admins have some options if they want to create messages for disabled email accounts to let senders know the address is no longer in use.Continue Reading

• How to complete a multi-forest hybrid Exchange setup

  Once you know how multi-forest hybrid environments work, finish the setup process for custom domains and Azure AD Sync Services.Continue Reading

• Why is my mailbox quota warning not working?

  The quota warning messages in Exchange 2013 aren't showing for end users in our company. Is there a way to get them working again?Continue Reading

• Pulling together the pieces for a move to Office 365

  Preparing for an Office 365 migration can be overwhelming. Exchange admins should break the process into five manageable stages.Continue Reading

• How do I grant users outside the LAN access to OWA?

  Our company has users who reside outside the local area network. What's the best way to grant those users access to Outlook Web App?Continue Reading

• Untested Exchange patches can spell disaster

  Seemingly perfect patches can cripple Exchange setups in production, but test labs can help you catch problems before they occur.Continue Reading

• Choose the right Office 365 migration tool

  Even the hardiest Exchange admin can be overwhelmed during an Office 365 migration, but having the right tools in your belt can help.Continue Reading

• Can admins change the write back cache size?

  Organizations may be surprised to find SSD space eaten up by write-back cache. Here's how to prepare for that.Continue Reading

• What are write back cache's requirements?

  Deploying larger, SSD-based write-back caches might require more than one disk. The benefits can lead to better performance.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

• Why is my Exchange Server connection on the fritz?

  If the Exchange 2010 server disconnects and reconnects to Outlook, and it isn't a network problem, there are a few other areas to check.Continue Reading

• What is the typical procedure for installing a CA certificate?

  While Windows already comes preinstalled with a number of CA certificates, here's what to do if you need to install it.Continue Reading

• How generic routing encapsulation works in Windows Server 2012 R2

  Generic routing encapsulation can help Windows Server 2012 R2 admins with performance enhancements.Continue Reading

• NIC teaming in Windows Server 2012 R2

  Instead of spending big bucks on Ethernet technologies or complicated configurations, Windows Server 2012 R2 shops can use NIC teaming to improve reliability.Continue Reading

• The biggest obstacle to securing Windows Server 2012

  Microsoft's most secure server is a sitting duck for attacks on most networks, and the reason why may surprise you.Continue Reading

• How to sync up Mac and Outlook calendar views

  When calendar invites don't appear in your view like they should, follow these steps to fix the problem.Continue Reading

• Solving data consistency problems from Active Directory tombstones

  Active Directory tombstones can cause problems with data consistency. Domain controllers need to be backed up as often as tombstones, if not more.Continue Reading

• Using imaging tools to restore domain controllers, avoid problems

  There can be catastrophic consequences to rolling back to a previous Active Directory state. Software can help you avoid serious rollback misstepsContinue Reading

• The best ways to recover from a failed server

  You can pull out the big guns to manually remove what's left of your failed Exchange Server from Active Directory, but it's best to consider potential alternatives before doing so.Continue Reading

• Simple ways to set message size limits in Exchange 2013

  Trying to increase message size limits but hitting a brick wall? Try this simple trick.Continue Reading

• Prevent problems with NUMA architecture on Hyper-V

  It's possible that non-uniform access memory can affect how your Linux VMs run on Hyper-V, so learn about the conditions that could cause problems and what to do to fix them.Continue Reading

• Why SUSE VMs have UEFI and secure boot issues

  You won't be able to secure boot or use UEFI with SUSE VMs under Hyper-V because of certain support issues, so it's important to learn if your enterprise will be affected.Continue Reading

• Planning the live backup of an Oracle Linux VM in Hyper-V

  Learn what can go wrong with a live virtual machine backup if you're running Oracle Linux VMs under Hyper-V, and how to keep the process as smooth as possible.Continue Reading

• Problems to prep for when running Linux VMs in Hyper-V

  Learn how to prepare for some of the problems you may have to work around if you run dynamic memory in a Red Hat Linux VM under Hyper-V.Continue Reading

• Choose the best way to include signatures in Office 365

  When you move to Office 365, you lose some of the signature management capabilities you've become accustomed to with on-premises Exchange Server. Here are two options for getting signatures back.Continue Reading

• Secure OWA to minimize your risks

  There are a number of actions to take to implement OWA security, including obvious ones like creating strong password policies. Admins should also consider using other popular countermeasures to lessen risks.Continue Reading

• Five steps to a more secure Exchange 2013

  Combine these five Exchange 2013 features to secure your enterprise messaging without adding management tasks to your workload.Continue Reading

• Why did my migrated mailbox disappear?

  If a mailbox doesn't show up in the Exchange Control Panel after a migration, some simple factors could make it look like it went missing.Continue Reading

• One simple upgrade could prevent this annoying Exchange error

  If you keep getting this error when you restart Exchange, it isn't the error you have to worry about -- it's the potential upgrade.Continue Reading

• Easy ways to repair a corrupted PST file

  If you run into problems with broken PST files when trying to move email, you have a choice of fixes.Continue Reading

• Why admins need to know Windows Azure Pack for Windows Server

  The best part about Windows Azure Pack is the control you have over it while still allowing for automating and delegating tasks.Continue Reading

• Set high expectations for secure Exchange Server and compliance

  Security and compliance don't mean the same thing in Exchange deployments, but there are ways to make sure you have both.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

• Four new WSUS features and capabilities all admins should know

  These four new features and capabilities in WSUS can simplify how admins roll out OS updates in their enterprises.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

• Learn PowerShell scripting to harness the full power of Exchange

  If you haven't done so yet, you should master PowerShell scripting -- it's an essential skill Exchange admins of every level need to have.Continue Reading

• Important considerations for setting up Work Folders

  This tip could be the answer your enterprise is looking for to bridge the gap between personal and corporate devices.Continue Reading

• Critical namespace configurations in Exchange Server 2013

  It's important to get namespace planning right the first time. Otherwise, it's difficult -- or even impossible -- to change later.Continue Reading

• Have a simple Work Folders setup in Windows Server 2012 R2

  Follow these steps to have the easiest Work Folders setup possible and to make the feature an essential part of your enterprise.Continue Reading

• Exchange 2013 SP1 features that will make admins happy

  Here's a breakdown of the most promising features in the recent SP1 release and a look at what could use some work.Continue Reading

• Quick tricks for migrating Exchange UM to Office 365

  If you plan to move UM-enabled mailboxes to Office 365 as part of a hybrid implementation, keep it simple to avoid complications.Continue Reading

• Patching and monitoring in a hybrid Exchange deployment

  Every task that admins handle in hybrid deployments can be split into three categories, but two deserve most of your attention.Continue Reading

• Is a single Office 365 tenant better than using multiple tenants?

  Companies looking to use more than one Office 365 tenant should be aware of the limitations and technical requirements.Continue Reading

• Five reasons to run Hyper-V in Windows Server 2012 R2

  There's plenty to like about Hyper-V in Microsoft's latest OS. Here are the five top features.Continue Reading

• Don't go into battle without these Exchange Server tools

  Whether you're new to Exchange or a seasoned Exchange MVP, these tools are non-negotiables for maintaining control.Continue Reading

• Four essential tasks to complete before migrating to Exchange 2013

  Before you begin an Exchange 2013 migration, you'll have some prep work with reviewing prerequisites and learning migration best practices.Continue Reading

• Taking a closer look at ODX file transfer requirements

  Offloaded data transfers include a number of hardware and software requirements, but they can support virtualization.Continue Reading

• What do I need to know before having an offloaded data transfer?

  When you enable ODX file transfers, consider the necessary support to make them happen as well as taking baselines.Continue Reading

• Learn the basic principles of an offloaded data transfer

  Learn more about this storage system option, which can speed up data transfers and simplify computing overhead.Continue Reading

• How VDI deduplication works in Windows Server 2012 R2

  Windows Server 2012 R2 included changes that specifically addressed problems traditional dedupe had with virtual desktop infrastructure.Continue Reading

• Troubleshooting common Windows Server deduplication problems

  Learn how to fix an application having problems with deduplicated data, as well as when you should turn off dedupe.Continue Reading

• How has deduplicated data changed backups and restorations?

  Dedupe reduces the amount of storage needed for backups, but its performance and effectiveness can vary.Continue Reading