Server 2008 R2
Learn PowerShell Scripting FAST
By Brian Nelson ⋅ May 9, 2012 ⋅ Post a comment
Once you’ve introduced yourself to Windows PowerShell and how get information about cmdlets, you’re ready to dig into scripting. This guide shows you how to start scripting fast with PowerShell commands and the features that will save you loads of time, and impress your fellow admins 
Learn Windows PowerShell Fast Crash Course
By Brian Nelson ⋅ May 2, 2012 ⋅ One comment
See how you can move from the labor intensive world of point-and-click management to using PowerShell to run base scripts that can reduce task loads for Microsoft sys admins drastically. This is your PowerShell Fast Crash Course to get you started.
Getting Familiar with iSCSI Part 2: Configuring the Microsoft iSCSI Initiator
By Tony Bieda ⋅ March 21, 2012 ⋅ Post a comment
In Part 2 of Getting Familiar with iSCSI, Tony gives a step by step tutorial on how to configure iSCSI initiator. Once the iSCSI target has been installed according to Part 1, you can configure the client on a separate machine and test snapshots.
Getting Familiar with iSCSI Part 1: How to Install the iSCSI Target
By Tony Bieda ⋅ March 14, 2012 ⋅ Post a comment
Explore your storage options by learning how to use iSCSI to transmit data independent of physical location. This first of a two-part series will go step by step on how to install the free Microsoft iSCSI target using Windows Server 2008 R2.
Red Hat Enterprise Virtualization 3.0 Beta Drops Microsoft Requirement
By Brian Nelson ⋅ January 30, 2012 ⋅ 2 comments
Red Hat Virtualization 3.0 won’t need Windows Server and it has a lot of new features and greater scalability. Read about how the open source capabilities of this Beta virtualization platform will appeal to SMBs.
New Training Release: Windows Server 2008 PowerShell Training
By Chris Magiet ⋅ November 8, 2011 ⋅ One comment
Automate your career with the next course in our PowerShell course line, Windows Server 2008 PowerShell Training, taught by author & Microsoft MVP Jeffrey Hicks.
How To Test PowerShell Scripts With WhatIf
By Brian Nelson ⋅ September 21, 2011 ⋅ Post a comment
Used correctly PowerShell 2.0 is a robust tool for system administration, but used incorrectly, it can be a powerful disruptor of an otherwise happy environment. Learn how to test your PowerShell scripts with the WhatIf parameter to ensure that you’re always using PowerShell correctly.
New Training Release: Microsoft Server Virtualization Training
By Chris Magiet ⋅ August 22, 2011 ⋅ One comment
Microsoft Server Virtualization training by instructor Ed Liberman guides students through virtualization fundamentals, providing coverage of crucial virtualization skills on Hyper-V and System Center Virtual Machine Manager 2008 R2.
Windows Server 2008 R2: Active Directory Offline Domain Join
By Ed Liberman ⋅ February 17, 2011 ⋅ 2 comments
In this video we take a closer look at a new tool included in Server 2008 R2 and Windows 7, called Djoin.exe, which allows clients to be joined to a domain without any network connectivity. Let me show you how Active Directory Offline Domain Join works.
Windows Server 2008 R2: Active Directory Best Practices Analyzer
By Ed Liberman ⋅ January 27, 2011 ⋅ 2 comments
The new Active Directory Best Practices Analyzer (BPA) in Server 2008 R2 is a tool that is now capable of examining Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS) and can help administrators reduce best practice violations by scanning AD DS and reporting best practice violations.
Windows Server 2008 R2: Active Directory Administrative Center
By Ed Liberman ⋅ January 13, 2011 ⋅ Post a comment
The Server 2008 R2 Active Directory Administrative Center is a new tool which can enhance the way administrators manage Active Directory objects allowing you to easily create and manage user accounts, groups, computer accounts, and Organizational Units (OUs).
Top 10 Changes in Server 2008 R2
By Sean Wilkins ⋅ November 17, 2010 ⋅ Post a comment
There are a number of different changes which were introduced with Windows Server 2008 R2 and this article is intended to review 10 of the most useful changes. Of course, this type of task is subjective and completely dependent on the implementations which are used within the reader’s systems. Because of this fact, in reviewing [...]
Top 5 Security Changes in Server 2008 R2
By Sean Wilkins ⋅ November 10, 2010 ⋅ Post a comment
As with any list which talks about the “top” anything, the resulting article is subject to the opinions of its author. In this case, the top 5 security features which have been added or enhanced in Server 2008 R2 are, in my opinion, the most important. There are a number of different additions to this [...]
Server 2008 R2: Remote Access Services
By Sean Wilkins ⋅ November 3, 2010 ⋅ Post a comment
Introduction to RDS With the introduction of the Windows Server 2008 R2 the product formally known as Terminal Services has been renamed Remote Desktop Services and includes a number of key changes. The first of these key changes is an obvious change in the service and feature names as well as management tool names. Below [...]
Server 2008 R2 BranchCache Configuration
By Sean Wilkins ⋅ October 20, 2010 ⋅ Post a comment
As discussed in the BranchCache overview article, BranchCache is used to optimize access to specific HTTP and SMB based remote files. This is done by configuring the content server with a new role which enables HTTP remote file optimization and a new feature which enables SMB remote file optimization. BranchCache can also be used in [...]
Windows Server 2008 R2 BranchCache Overview
By Sean Wilkins ⋅ October 13, 2010 ⋅ Post a comment
One of the features which has been included in versions of Windows Server 2008 R2 and Windows 7 is BranchCache. BranchCache offers the ability to cache specific remote content so that those individuals accessing it remotely can access them easier and with better performance. It does this by offering the ability to cache specific traffic [...]
Windows Server 2008 R2 DirectAccess Configuration
By Sean Wilkins ⋅ October 6, 2010 ⋅ 7 comments
If you read my DirectAccess overview article you know the basics of what DirectAccess is used for and generally how it is used to make life easier. This article looks a little more in depth at the configuration steps required to implement DirectAccess. DirectAccess Connection Process As covered in the overview, the connection process for [...]
Intro to Windows Server 2008 R2 DirectAccess
By Sean Wilkins ⋅ September 29, 2010 ⋅ Post a comment
In the modern work environment there are a number of different new challenges which exist when trying to deal with a workforce which has expanded outside the traditional workplace. Traditionally, these types of workers were able to utilize corporate intranet resources via either a Virtual Private Network (VPN) or via web gateways. The problem with [...]
File Classification Infrastructure in Server 2008 R2 SP2
By Brian Nelson ⋅ July 7, 2010 ⋅ Post a comment
Windows Administrators have been responsible for keeping data safe and accessible on File Servers for years. Recently, however, that role has been expanded. Legislation requiring companies to inform customers whenever their personal data has been potentially compromised led to a flood of embarrassing situations for business. Ironically, these data breaches were seldom the fault of [...]
PowerShell 2.0: Server 2008 R2 Top New Management Feature
By Brian Nelson ⋅ May 12, 2010 ⋅ 2 comments
PowerShell Scripting on Windows Server 2008 R2 PowerShell 1.0 gave systems administrators around the world a new administration tool when it was introduced with Windows Server 2003. For years, Microsoft has worked to develop a graphical user interface, or GUI, that would make system administration and user administration easier and more user friendly. In many [...]