(2013-04-30) Active Directory Forest Recovery Guide For W2K3, W2K8, W2K8R2, W2K12

This guide contains best-practice recommendations for recovering an Active Directory forest, if forest-wide failure has rendered all domain controllers in the forest incapable of functioning normally. The procedure steps in this guide, which you must customize for your particular environment, describe how to recover the entire Active Directory forest to a point in time before the critical malfunction. They also ensure that none of the restored domain controllers replicates from a domain controller with potentially dangerous data.

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The procedures apply to Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS) in Windows Server 2012, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Server 2008, and the Active Directory directory service in Windows Server 2003.

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REMARK: Remember that this is a general guide to help you to create your own forest recovery for your own environment. No forest recovery plan from one environment can be fully used in another environment without customizations. Also remember it is not just about technology. When creating a forest recovery plan take everything into account that is specific to your environment such as for example location of IT staff, communications, logistics, procedures, security, etc. And when you do create a forest recovery plan that is specific to your environment make sure to keep it up-to-date, as your environment changes, and also make sure to perform periodic “fire-drills”. Those fire-drills help you to see what may need to change in the plan and it also keeps the plan as fresh as possible in the minds of everyone involved.

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Get it here: Planning for Active Directory Forest Recovery

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Cheers,
Jorge
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* This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties and confers no rights!
* Always evaluate/test yourself before using/implementing this!
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(2012-10-09) Microsoft Has Released A Huge Update For Windows 8 And Windows Server 2012

I was updating my VMs for my disaster recovery session at The Experts Conference in Barcelona and I noticed Microsoft had released a huge update that applies to both Windows 8 and Windows Server 2012 somewhat more than a month after the RTM. Microsoft calls it the general availability cumulative update.

Figure 1: Major Update For Windows Server 2012 (And Also For Windows 8)

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In summary the update does the following with regards to performance and reliability improvements:

• Increased power efficiency to extend battery life
• Performance improvements in Windows 8 applications and Start screen
• Improved audio and video playback in many scenarios
• Improved application and driver compatibility with Windows 8

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More information: Windows 8 Client and Windows Server 2012 General Availability Cumulative Update

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Cheers,
Jorge
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* This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties and confers no rights!
* Always evaluate/test yourself before using/implementing this!
* DISCLAIMER: http://jorgequestforknowledge.wordpress.com/disclaimer/
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(2012-08-01) Windows 8 And Windows Server 2012 Have RTMed!

Read more through the following links:

• Windows 8 has reached the RTM milestone
• Windows Server 2012 released to manufacturing

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Cheers,
Jorge
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* This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties and confers no rights!
* Always evaluate/test yourself before using/implementing this!
* DISCLAIMER: http://jorgequestforknowledge.wordpress.com/disclaimer/
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(2012-05-31) Release Candidate Versions Of Windows 8 And Windows Server 2012 Are Available For Download!

Do I really need to say more?

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Read more HERE about it.

Get answers to FAQs HERE.

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Get it through the following locations:

• Windows 8 Release Preview On MSDN
• Windows Server 2012 Release Candidate On MSDN
• Windows 8 Release Preview On TechNet
• Windows Server 2012 Release Candidate On TechNet
• Windows 8 Release Preview Site
• Windows Server 2012 Release Candidate Site

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Cheers,
Jorge
———————————————————————————————
* This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties and confers no rights!
* Always evaluate/test yourself before using/implementing this!
* DISCLAIMER: http://jorgequestforknowledge.wordpress.com/disclaimer/
———————————————————————————————
############### Jorge’s Quest For Knowledge #############
######### http://JorgeQuestForKnowledge.wordpress.com/ ########
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(2012-05-01) Windows Server “8” Virtual Labs

SOURCE: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/windowsserver/hh968267.aspx

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Experience the beta release of Windows Server “8” firsthand in these virtual labs. You can test drive new and improved features and functionality, including server management and Windows PowerShell, networking, Hyper-V, and new storage solutions.

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Getting Started

It’s simple: no complex setup or installation is required to try out Windows Server “8” running in a full-featured virtual lab. You get a downloadable manual and a 90-minute block of time for each module. Before you start, read the minimum system requirements. Select a virtual lab from the list below. Then, you will see an application launch the lab.

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Windows Server “8” Virtual Labs

• Active Directory Deployment and Management Enhancements
  In this lab, you will learn how to deploy Active Directory Domain Controllers with Windows Server "8". You will deploy domain controllers using the new Server Manager, as well as deploying remote domain controllers using Windows PowerShell. You will be able to explore the new Active Directory Management tool and use its PowerShell History Viewer.
  
• Configuring a Highly Available iSCSI Target
  In this lab, you will learn how Windows Server "8" can provide storage remotely to any machine. You will build clusters using shared storage and build iSCSI high-availability instances–observing highly available application communication during cluster failover.
  
• Configuring Hyper-V over Highly Available SMB Storage
  In this lab, you will learn how to configure a file server cluster to support running Hyper-V virtual machines from SMB file shares. You will create the file share, configure delegation, and then create a new VM on SMB storage.
  
• Implementing Storage Pools and Storage Spaces
  In this lab, you will work with the new storage spaces technology in Windows Server "8". You will first create new storage pools and virtual disks, and then you will work with those virtual disks in both Server Manager and Control Panel.
  
• Introduction to Windows PowerShell Fundamentals
  Windows PowerShell is a command-line shell and scripting language that helps you achieve greater control and productivity. Using a new admin-focused scripting language, more than 230 standard command-line tools, and consistent syntax and utilities, Windows PowerShell enables you to more easily control system administration and accelerate automation.
  
• What’s New in Windows PowerShell 3.0
  In this lab, you will explore some of the new features and functionality in Windows PowerShell 3.0 to enable you to more easily control system administration and accelerate automation.
  
• Managing Branch Offices
  In this lab, you will learn how the branch office scenario has been improved in Windows Server "8" including new branch cache enhancements.
  
• Managing Network Infrastructure
  In this lab, you will explore new network management capabilities in Windows Server "8". You will learn how to implement Network Teaming as well as how to implement DHCP failover. Finally, explore new Windows PowerShell cmdlets for network management.
  
• Managing Your Network Infrastructure with IP Address Management
  Network management is core to running a business, yet the tools that IT professionals need can be too costly or not available from Microsoft. With Windows Server "8", we change that with the introduction of IP Address Management (IPAM).
  
• Managing Windows Server "8" with Server Manager and Windows PowerShell 3.0
  In this lab, you will learn how the Server Manager and Windows PowerShell framework in Windows Server "8" delivers an enhanced, multi-server management experience. You will learn to perform tasks such as multi-server management. You will also explore new Windows PowerShell capabilities including new cmdlets and the Windows PowerShell gateway.
  
• Online Backup Service
  In this lab, you will use Windows Server Backup to back up your critical data to Windows Azure. This lab will teach you the entire set of workflows around backing up and recovering your data to Windows Azure.
  
• Using Dynamic Access Control to Automatically and Centrally Secure Data
  In this lab, you will explore Dynamic Access Control in Windows Server "8". You will learn how to create Central Access Policies, explore the new Access Denied Remediation features, as well as learn how to use the audit capabilities built into Dynamic Access Control.

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Cheers,
Jorge
———————————————————————————————
* This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties and confers no rights!
* Always evaluate/test yourself before using/implementing this!
* DISCLAIMER: http://jorgequestforknowledge.wordpress.com/disclaimer/
———————————————————————————————
############### Jorge’s Quest For Knowledge #############
######### http://JorgeQuestForKnowledge.wordpress.com/ ########
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(2012-05-01) The Official Name For Windows Server “8”

If you have not heart it yet, the official name for Windows Server “8” is…….drums please….Windows Server 2012 !!!

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Isn’t that a surprise!?

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Cheers,
Jorge
———————————————————————————————
* This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties and confers no rights!
* Always evaluate/test yourself before using/implementing this!
* DISCLAIMER: http://jorgequestforknowledge.wordpress.com/disclaimer/
———————————————————————————————
############### Jorge’s Quest For Knowledge #############
######### http://JorgeQuestForKnowledge.wordpress.com/ ########
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(2012-03-27) Active Directory Lightweight Directory Services (ADLDS) On Windows “8”

Active Directory Lightweight Directory Services (ADLDS), or a.k.a. Active Directory Application Mode (ADAM), (you can find its logo here ) by default is available on the server OS as a Server Role.

Figure 1: The “Active Directory Lightweight Directory Services” On Windows Server “8” Beta As A Server Role

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However, on the client OS, for Windows XP you needed to download it separately, for Windows Vista there was no ADLDS available and for Windows 7 you also had to download it separately. For Windows Client “8” Consumer Preview, there is not need to download anything separately as it is by default available as a Windows Feature. YES!!!!

Figure 2: The “Active Directory Lightweight Directory Services” On Windows Client “8” Consumer Preview As A Windows Feature

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Cheers,
Jorge
———————————————————————————————
* This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties and confers no rights!
* Always evaluate/test yourself before using/implementing this!
* DISCLAIMER: http://jorgequestforknowledge.wordpress.com/disclaimer/
———————————————————————————————
############### Jorge’s Quest For Knowledge #############
######### http://JorgeQuestForKnowledge.wordpress.com/ ########
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(2012-03-27) Where Are My Admin Tools In Windows Server “8” Beta?

As you may already have understood from this blog post, the look and feel of Windows Server “8” has changed. This also applies to finding your admin tools that are part of the Remote Server Administration Tools (RSAT). In the developer preview you could find those admin tools after clicking the Start Menu. With the Beta that has changed. You can now find all the tools part of the RSAT within the Server Manager.

Figure 1: Starting Server Manager

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After clicking Server Manager as shown above, you will find Tools in the upper right corner. Clicking that and you will find the Remote Server Administration Tools on Windows Server “8” Beta.

Figure 2: The Location Of The Remote Server Administration Tools (RSAT) On Windows Server “8” Beta

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Cheers,
Jorge
———————————————————————————————
* This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties and confers no rights!
* Always evaluate/test yourself before using/implementing this!
* DISCLAIMER: http://jorgequestforknowledge.wordpress.com/disclaimer/
———————————————————————————————
############### Jorge’s Quest For Knowledge #############
######### http://JorgeQuestForKnowledge.wordpress.com/ ########
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(2012-03-08) Windows Server “8” Beta Test LAB Guides

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In addition to the released Windows Server “8” Beta documentation (understand and troubleshoot guides), Microsoft also released Test LAB Guides to be downloaded from Microsoft’s download center. Use the following links to download the available docs:

• Test Lab Guides – General
• TechNet Blogs > Microsoft Test Lab Guides
• Windows Server “8” Beta Test Lab Guides
• Test Lab Guide: Windows Server “8” Beta Base Configuration
• Windows Server “8” Beta mini-module: Basic PKI 
• Windows Server “8” Beta mini-module: Homenet subnet 
• Windows Server “8” Beta mini-module: Second Corpnet subnet 
• Test Lab Guide: Demonstrate DirectAccess Single Server Setup with Mixed IPv4 and IPv6 in Windows Server "8" Beta 
• Test Lab Guide: Demonstrate DirectAccess Simplified Setup in an IPv4-only Test Environment in Windows Server "8" Beta 
• Test Lab Guide: Deploying Remote Desktop Licensing in Windows Server "8" Beta 
• Test Lab Guide: Demonstrating DHCP Failover in Windows Server "8" Beta 
• Test Lab Guide: Demonstrate Virtualized Domain Controller (VDC) in Windows Server "8" Beta 
• Test Lab Guide: Demonstrate Printing in Windows Server "8" Beta 
• Test Lab Guide: Demonstrate Remote Desktop Services in Windows Server "8" Beta 
• Test Lab Guide: Demonstrate Remote Desktop Services Desktop Virtualization in Windows Server "8" Beta 
• Test Lab Guide: Demonstrate IP Address Management (IPAM) in Windows Server "8" Beta 
• Test Lab Guide: Demonstrate DNS Security Extensions (DNSSEC) in Windows Server "8" Beta 
• Test Lab Guide: Demonstrate ADDS Simplified Administration in Windows Server "8" Beta 
• Test Lab Guide: Demonstrate High Availability Printing in Windows Server "8" Beta
• Test Lab Guide: Deploying an AD CS Two Tier PKI Hierarchy 
• Test Lab Guide: Deploying Certificates to Non-domain Joined Computers Using Certificate Enrollment Web Services   

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Cheers,
Jorge
———————————————————————————————
* This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties and confers no rights!
* Always evaluate/test yourself before using/implementing this!
* DISCLAIMER: http://jorgequestforknowledge.wordpress.com/disclaimer/
———————————————————————————————
############### Jorge’s Quest For Knowledge #############
######### http://JorgeQuestForKnowledge.wordpress.com/ ########
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(2012-03-07) Windows Server “8” Beta Documentation

The Windows Server “8” Beta documentation is on Microsoft’s download center. Use the following links to download the available docs:

• Understand and Troubleshoot Activation Technologies in Windows Server “8” Beta
• Understand and Troubleshoot AD DS Simplified Administration in Windows Server “8” Beta
• Understand and Troubleshoot BitLocker in Windows Server “8” Beta
• Understand and Troubleshoot Cluster-Aware Updating (CAU) in Windows Server “8” Beta
• Understand and Troubleshoot DHCP Failover in Windows Server “8” Beta
• Understand and Troubleshoot DNS Security Extensions (DNSSEC) in Windows Server “8” Beta
• Understand and Troubleshoot Dynamic Access Control
• Understand and Troubleshoot High Availability Printing in Windows “8” Beta
• Understand and Troubleshoot Hyper-V Replica in Windows Server “8” Beta
• Understand and Troubleshoot IP Address Management (IPAM) in Windows Server “8” Beta
• Understand and Troubleshoot Microsoft Online Backup Service in Windows Server “8” Beta
• Understand and Troubleshoot Printing in Windows Server “8” Beta
• Understand and Troubleshoot Remote Access in Windows Server "8" Beta
• Understand and Troubleshoot Remote Desktop Services Desktop Virtualization in Windows Server “8” Beta
• Understand and Troubleshoot Remote Desktop Services in Windows Server “8” Beta
• Understand and Troubleshoot Scale-Out File Servers in Windows Server "8" Beta
• Understand and Troubleshoot Servicing in Windows Server “8” Beta
• Understand and Troubleshoot Storage Spaces and Pools in Windows Server "8" Beta
• Understand and Troubleshoot Virtualized Domain Controller (VDC) in Windows Server “8” Beta

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Cheers,
Jorge
———————————————————————————————
* This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties and confers no rights!
* Always evaluate/test yourself before using/implementing this!
* DISCLAIMER: http://jorgequestforknowledge.wordpress.com/disclaimer/
———————————————————————————————
############### Jorge’s Quest For Knowledge #############
######### http://JorgeQuestForKnowledge.wordpress.com/ ########
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