Tips

Tips

• 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

• Shared mailboxes give productivity a lift

  With a number of possibilities for use, groups can be creative in how they choose to incorporate Office 365 shared mailboxes in their work.  Continue Reading

• Getting acquainted with PowerShell Desired State Configuration

  Desired State Configuration is a solid choice for administrators who have PowerShell chops. Here's an introduction.  Continue Reading

• AD FS extranet lockout feature boosts Office 365 security

  AD FS extranet lockout can protect organizations from denial-of-service and brute-force password attacks.  Continue Reading

• Must-knows for migrating Public Folders to Exchange 2013

  Be aware of the limitations that come with moving Modern Public Folders in an Exchange 2013 migration.  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

• Gain hands-on security experience in Exchange

  To ensure a resilient Exchange setup, admins must know how to run tests, find vulnerabilities and examine Exchange's reaction to simulated attacks.  Continue Reading

• What's new for Windows Server IPAM?

  The next version of Windows Server comes with three important improvements and enhancements to IP address management.  Continue Reading

• Evaluate Windows Server Technical Preview with Boot to VHD

  The forthcoming version of Windows Server can be evaluated using the Boot to VHD, here's how it's set up.  Continue Reading

• This PowerShell module takes control of NTFS permissions

  One simple install of the File System Security PowerShell Module can help manage NTFS permissions for user access to folders.  Continue Reading

• Five must-read Windows administrator books

  With plenty of titles on the market, it's tough to whittle down a reading list. Our expert has made a list of required reading.  Continue Reading

• Windows Server networking improvements and changes

  The next version of Windows Server will see the end of network access protection, but more networking enhancements can be found within.  Continue Reading

• A first look at Modern Authentication for Outlook

  The Modern Authentication feature improves client security with single sign-on and multifactor authentication options.  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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• Best practices for managing Office 365 from Active Directory

  After moving to the cloud, you'll need to manage the parts of Exchange that don't show up in Active Directory.  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

• Why the Windows Server Essentials role could benefit larger organizations

  Organizations may look to use an Essentials server, which makes Windows Server 2012 R2 function like Microsoft's small business offerings.  Continue Reading

• Does your enterprise need Office Web Apps Server 2013?

  Office Web Apps can help with several Office 2013 products, but you have other options if you install Exchange 2013 in small organizations.  Continue Reading

• Set up an ADFS server to manage Office 365 identities

  As long as you know how to set it up and install it, ADFS can be a good identity management option for Office 365.  Continue Reading

• Customize Exchange ActiveSync settings for virtual directories

  Knowing the settings for the mailbox server and the Client Access server role is the key to customizing ActiveSync virtual directories.  Continue Reading

• How to share calendars in Exchange 2013

  The easiest way to share calendars in Exchange 2013 is to enable its built-in, standards-compliant features.  Continue Reading

• Is Password Sync better than AD FS for Office 365 identity management?

  Can DirSync's Password Synchronization feature compete with AD FS for Office 365 identity management?  Continue Reading

• Simple ways to troubleshoot slow mailbox moves to Office 365

  Slow mailbox migrations are frustrating, but are they a sign of a larger problem? Here are some simple ways to check.  Continue Reading

• What to do when you can't delete an Exchange mailbox database

  There's a simple reason why Exchange won't let you delete unwanted databases. There's also a simple fix.  Continue Reading

• Set up reliable Exchange 2013 load balancing with open source tools

  You can now use free third-party load-balancing options, including Linux offerings, thanks to improvements in Exchange.  Continue Reading

• Eight Exchange skills and topics every admin should know

  If you want to take your Exchange knowledge to the next level, tackle the tough topics and find ways to validate what you know.  Continue Reading