I
thought that the name Windows Server 8 would will be too easily confused with Windows
8 (the successor to Windows 7). Thus Windows Server 2012 seems
a much better choice of name for Microsoft's new flagship server.
Two areas that are likely to bring the greatest improvements are cloud
computing and Hyper-V. For example, Hyper-V Replica that will enable
administrators to replicate virtual machines immediately, on a schedule.
Also, the next generation of Hyper-V will support more processors - at least
16.
I was surprised to see that this latest Microsoft server has the Metro UI
that I associate with Windows 8. Less of a surprise was the extra
PowerShell 3.0 modules with their raft of new cmdlet-style functions.
Active Directory has remained more or less the same since 2000, and thus
will get a timely upgrade / make-over in Windows Server 2012.
Windows Server 2008 R2 brought a glimpse of Microsoft's thinking as to
what will be in the next server, for example, dynamic memory and desktop
virtualization.
Guy Recommends: A Free Trial of the Network Performance Monitor
(NPM)
SolarWinds'
Network Performance Monitor
will help you discover what's happening on your network. This
utility will also guide you through troubleshooting; the dashboard will
indicate whether the root cause is a broken link, faulty equipment or
resource overload.
Perhaps the NPM's best feature is the way it suggests solutions to network
problems. Its second best feature is the ability to monitor the health of individual VMware
virtual machines. If you are interested in troubleshooting, and creating network maps, then I recommend that you
give this Network Performance Monitor a try.
Each new generation Windows server brings yet more options for DHCP configuration, these
are the highlights of new DHCP features in Windows Server 2012.
I love the idea of self-healing, and Windows Server 2012's NTFS has the
improved ability to recover from disk errors. Above all, Chkdsk completes
analysis much more quickly than Server 2008 and its predecessors.
Server Core is the default. If you need it make is secure,
if it's not needed it's not there. Core Server is not as popular as
is should be. Administrators choice seems to be for full server. My message
is get it right, make it
work or else face a re-install.
Guy
Recommends:
SolarWinds Free Wake-On-LAN Utility
Encouraging computers to sleep when they're not in use is a great idea -
until you are away from your desk and need a file on that remote sleeping machine!
WOL also has business uses for example, rousing machines so that
they can have update patches applied. My real reason for recommending
you download this free tool is because it's so much fun sending those 'Magic
Packets'. Give WOL a try - it's free.
Versions of Microsoft Windows Server I Have Been Involved With:
Windows Server 2012
Windows Server 2008 (and R2)
Windows Server 2003 (and R2)
Windows Server 2000
Windows NT 4.0
Summary of Microsoft Windows Server 2012
Four years is still a long time in computing, there is only so much you
can do with service packs or R2 for Server 2008. Therefore, run this server
equivalent of Windows 8 client through its paces.
If you like this page then please share it with your friends
Guy Recommends:
SolarWinds' NPM - Network Performance Monitor
SolarWinds' performance monitor is designed for detecting network outages,
making it easy to see what's working, and what needs your attention.
This utility guides you through creating network maps; it also helps
identifying whether the
root cause is faulty equipment, or resource overload. Give NPM a try.
