Tips

Tips

• 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

• Why the free Hyper-V Server may not be worth it

  Boasting the ability to install easily and, perhaps even better, cost nothing, Hyper-V Server is a cost-effective option. Should you use it?  Continue Reading

• Exchange 2013 CU8 includes Public Folder and EAS fixes

  The recent Exchange 2013 cumulative update includes improved features for Public Folders and Exchange ActiveSync.  Continue Reading

• ADFS 2012 R2 changes give Office 365 users a huge advantage

  The changes and features in the latest version of ADFS are attractive for Exchange admins looking to use it with Office 365.  Continue Reading

• Prepare for these five Windows administrator interview questions

  Windows administrator interview candidates need careful preparation to stand out among a crowded field of professionals.  Continue Reading

• A look at Windows MultiPoint Services role

  A Windows MultiPoint Server allows users to have their own sessions while connected to one machine. Here's where it helps, and how it's changing.  Continue Reading

• A first look at the Network Controller role

  The Network Controller permits physical and virtual network infrastructure management, as well as configuring and managing firewall rules.  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

• Daily security tasks all Exchange admins must do

  Habits make or break Exchange security. Follow these six steps every day to create good admin habits and a more secure environment.  Continue Reading

• Best practices to prepare for your MCSE: Messaging exam

  One Exchange MVP answers four common questions admins have as they prepare for their MCSE certification exams.  Continue Reading

• Essential prep for the Exchange 2013 MCSE exam

  Stressing out about taking your MCSE exams for Exchange 2013? Use this MVP's advice to come up with a plan for test-taking success.  Continue Reading

• Set up Azure's Password Synchronization write-back feature

  Before putting Azure's write-back feature in production, learn the best ways to configure it and how to address any reset problems that arise.  Continue Reading

• Hosted Exchange security questions you should be asking

  There are six questions admins must ask hosted Exchange vendors to ensure security is as much a priority to them as it is to your enterprise.  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

• Office 365 Video puts MS Enterprise Social in limelight

  Office 365 Video gives enterprises a new, easy way to post and view videos while providing control over who can access them.  Continue Reading

• Password synchronization evolves in Azure's new write-back option

  Password management is tricky, especially with on-premises and cloud setups. Azure's password write-back option can help with password sync problems.  Continue Reading

• Previewing Windows Server storage replication

  The preview of Windows Server contains new storage replication features, but it's not enabled by default. Here's how to get started.  Continue Reading

• Considerations for scale-out file servers

  Scale-out file servers can significantly lower storage costs, but it might not be right for organizations. Here's what to consider.  Continue Reading

• Security survey shows Exchange as a sitting duck for attacks

  Securing your Exchange setup is vital to keep your business up and running. However, recent security reviews show there's room for improvement.  Continue Reading

• Access Exchange 2013 public folders in a hybrid setup

  Organizations that have a hybrid setup with on-premises Exchange 2013 often need a way for users to access Public Folders with mailboxes in the cloud.  Continue Reading

• Strengthen your Active Directory password policy settings

  Weak passwords can create vulnerabilities in your enterprise's security. Creating strong password standards and policies can help protect against threats.  Continue Reading

• Making Windows security training work for you

  A career in Windows security is one of the hottest specialties for an administrator. Here are a few skills to put into practice to advance in the industry.  Continue Reading

• Perform a remote desktop update in stages

  Taking a staged approach to a Windows Server 2012 R2 RDS migration offers the best results and can minimize downtime for end users.  Continue Reading

• Staging a Remote Desktop Services upgrade

  Documenting configuration data and performing a complete backup of the RDS source server is crucial for avoiding issues. Do you know the requirements?  Continue Reading

• Preparing for a Windows Server RDS migration

  As Windows RDS becomes more important for troubleshooting remote systems, admins need to get a handle on prerequisites before an upgrade.  Continue Reading

• Digging deep in Windows Server storage QoS

  In the newest preview of Windows Server, storage QoS helps administrators get the most of their storage by setting minimum and maximum IOPS count.  Continue Reading

• Monitoring devices for free with OpManager

  Windows administrators can get their hands on ManageEngine's OpManager, a program that manages 10 devices.  Continue Reading

• Must-know apps for Office 365 and Exchange

  As Office 365 increases in popularity, admins should get to know these apps and how they work with each organization.  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

• Outlining RBAC permissions options in Exchange 2013

  RBAC's Management Scopes can simplify Exchange setup management tasks and lets admins limit the cmdlets end users can access.  Continue Reading

• Small changes make a difference in PowerShell 5.0

  Coming to the next versions of Windows, PowerShell 5.0 adds remote file-editing capabilities, as well as improvements to Desired State Configuration.  Continue Reading

• What's next for Windows Server storage?

  The next version of Windows Server, due out in 2015, will boast storage improvements in QoS for Hyper-V and replication for enterprises.  Continue Reading

• Weighing cloud directory services from Microsoft and AWS

  New cloud directory offerings from Microsoft and Amazon go head to head, but Microsoft's option may make more sense for the enterprise.  Continue Reading

• Getting the most value out of Windows certifications and training

  Beyond building a library of study materials, creating seminars that pass along Windows certification knowledge can help save money.  Continue Reading

• Setting up a multi-forest hybrid Exchange deployment

  Exchange admins should learn what a multi-forest hybrid setup is, when it should be used, and the requirements to implement it.  Continue Reading

• Additions to the System Center Operations Manager preview

  The new System Center Operations Manager preview doesn't have many notable enhancements over its predecessor, but it's now even more cloud ready.  Continue Reading

• Testing Windows Server resiliency before attackers strike

  Security remains a process, not check box on an operating system. Testing Windows Server resiliency is one crucial step in that process.  Continue Reading

• Looking ahead to Windows 10 certifications

  With Windows 10 and the next version of Windows Server expected to launch in 2015, it's time to get ready for new certifications.  Continue Reading

• The pros of finding the right antispam tool and archiving tool

  No single product has every feature a company needs. Third-party spam and archiving tools can fill the gaps in Exchange Online and Office 365 features.  Continue Reading

• Avoid Windows Server 2003 upgrade gaffes

  When it comes to a move off of Windows Server 2003, know your migration risks with proper research, planning and management.  Continue Reading

• The top five Office 365 features

  From beefing up login security to restoring signature management capabilities, here's a look at five notable Office 365 features.  Continue Reading

• Three questions to ask before a Windows Server 2003 migration

  With less than eight months to go before Windows Server 2003 end of life, IT needs to prepare and answer these essential questions.  Continue Reading

• Be the master of your messaging environment security

  Whether you're a new Exchange admin or a seasoned pro, these four steps will help develop your Exchange security skills.  Continue Reading

• How Office 365 Groups will socialize the enterprise

  Office 365 Groups came out of Microsoft's Enterprise Social strategy and the company's attempts to integrate a number of features across platforms.  Continue Reading

• As Windows Server 2003 era ends, weighing public cloud migration

  After taking cost and hardware considerations for Windows Server 2003 workloads, one option to consider is a public cloud migration.  Continue Reading

• Preparing for an upgrade to Windows Server 2012 R2

  Making the necessary preparations before beginning an upgrade can help avoid problems during the process. Here's what to do before moving to Windows Server 2012 R2.  Continue Reading

• Choosing the right number of Windows Server licenses

  When choosing the number of licenses needed for an upgrade to Windows Server, consider which edition best fits your enterprise's infrastructure and budget.  Continue Reading

• Understanding Windows Server 2012 R2 upgrade limitations

  Windows Server 2012 R2 has a few hardware and software limitations, including issues with 4K native drives and the inability to upgrade from one language to another.  Continue Reading

• Understanding Windows Server 2012 R2 installation requirements

  Windows Server 2012 R2 has minimal installation requirements, but "resource creep" can leave fewer resources for workloads on virtualized servers.  Continue Reading

• Hidden costs of migrating from Windows Server 2003

  When Windows Server 2003 hits end of life, it could mean new expenses in the form of new servers. Here's how to prepare.  Continue Reading

• 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

• Take a layered security approach to Exchange

  Using multiple Exchange and network security controls can help many organizations protect against potential data breaches.  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

• Preparing for a move away from Windows Server 2003

  With Windows Server 2003 nearing its end of life, it's time to start preparing to migrate to a new server. Here's how to get started.  Continue Reading

• What to include in an Exchange lab to test patches

  A test lab isn't any good unless you know what to include. This checklist gives you the basics any admin should know to set up a test environment.  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

• 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

• Configure Azure MFA to access Office 365 from anywhere

  If end users want access to Office 365 and Exchange from anywhere, Azure Multi-Factor Authentication service is the answer.  Continue Reading

• Throw users a line to thwart an email phishing attack

  Phishing attacks are the most popular causes of data breaches in the enterprise. Here are three reasons why.  Continue Reading

• Hidden vulnerabilities on your IIS 8 servers

  IIS 8 isn't completely immune to security flaws. Here are some vulnerabilities you might be missing.  Continue Reading

• Recognize data breach causes in Exchange

  One small mistake in your Exchange security setup is all it takes to have a serious data breach happen, so lowering your risk is a must.  Continue Reading

• Set rules with Office 365 message classification

  Message classifications are some of the handiest tools Exchange Online admins can have in their toolkits.  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

• 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

• Managing Windows Server audit logs to cover your assets

  Windows Server 2012 has tracked far beyond basic logons and logoffs. So how do you keep audit logs in check?  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 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

• Control access to Office 365 with ADFS policies

  When it comes to granular access control for Office 365, ADFS Client Access Policies may be the answer your organization needs.  Continue Reading

• Microsoft once again offers electives in MCSA exams

  Admins may experience nostalgia with the latest round of MCSA certs because of previous MCSA certs and the comeback of electives.  Continue Reading

• Use responders to decode Managed Availability's actions

  Separately, Managed Availability's components offer little to no value. Together, they can help admins learn why certain steps were taken.  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

• Migrate Office 365 tenants with a hybrid Exchange Server

  Once organizations have three important factors in place, admins have the power to complete Office 365 migrations with hybrid Exchange.  Continue Reading

• Take a proactive approach to mobile messaging security

  To guarantee your mobile messaging environment is protected, be sure to meet these three areas.  Continue Reading

• Prerequisites for an Office 365 tenant migration

  To better understand tenant-to-tenant migrations after a company merger or acquisition, dig deeper into prerequisites and native tools.  Continue Reading

• Essentials of Exchange access control with RBAC

  Get to know Exchange's Role Based Access Control feature by learning how it came to be and how it works.  Continue Reading

• Tackle email content filtering security lapses

  It doesn't matter if you use in-house or cloud-based filtering systems -- you still have to address common security oversights.  Continue Reading

• The latest updates in Exchange 2013 CU6

  The latest Cumulative Update for Exchange 2013 includes fixes for a popular wizard and addresses public folder issues.  Continue Reading

• Do admins dream of SMB in the cloud with Azure File Service?

  Azure File Service eliminates the need to set up Windows Server virtual machines on the Azure cloud.  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

• 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

• Do your Exchange incident response plans hold up?

  Security breaches and threats continue to evolve. Is your incident response plan keeping up with the times? Evaluate your risks and current plans to ensure you're prepared for the worst.  Continue Reading

• New features in Exchange Server transaction logs

  Log files are vital to how Exchange Server functions. Brush up on how log files have changed in Exchange 2013 to protect your setup against disaster.  Continue Reading

• Make sense of the new Managed Availability feature

  The new platform built into Exchange 2013 may ease your monitoring burden. Our Exchange MVP breaks down how Managed Availability works and how it's designed to do its job.  Continue Reading

• Harness the power of Microsoft Azure's PowerShell cmdlets

  PowerShell isn't just for Windows Server anymore. Get the basics on PowerShell with Azure and learn some Azure-specific cmdlets.  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

• 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

• Look for these security flaws in your messaging environment

  The latest Verizon Data Breach Investigation Reports can give you some insight into areas of improvement for your Exchange setup.  Continue Reading

• How can Azure VMs help with hybrid Exchange?

  Azure virtual machines can't host Exchange servers, but there are a few ways you can use them to extend and improve a hybrid Exchange setup.  Continue Reading

• Configure Office 365 authentication with PowerShell

  Admins can use this step-by-step process to configure MFA with Azure Active Directory Module for Windows PowerShell.  Continue Reading

• Learn why Alternate Login ID is Office 365's hidden gem

  Not familiar with the Alternate Login ID feature? You should be. It could save you valuable time during an Office 365 migration.  Continue Reading

• Do you actually need to virtualize Exchange Server 2013?

  As your organization weighs the pros and cons of virtualizing Exchange Server 2013, think about these important factors before you decide.  Continue Reading

• Secure Office 365 with the Client Access Policy Builder

  Are you worried that giving users access to email outside the office is a security issue? Then it's time to implement Client Access policies.  Continue Reading

• How to configure Office 365 MFA

  Using MFA is a must for cloud-based accounts. Help your end users set up Office 365 MFA.  Continue Reading

• Does Exchange 2013 virtualization make sense?

  Include storage and resource allocations in your discussions about whether or not to virtualize Exchange 2013.  Continue Reading

• Clear up misconceptions about hosted Exchange services

  Hosted Exchange can be a great option for many organizations, but sort through the marketing fluff to make the best choice.  Continue Reading

• How to create the best Exchange monitoring option

  The key to successful monitoring protocols for Exchange deployments isn't about the components themselves -- it's about end users.  Continue Reading