Windows Server® 2012 Essentials
Server Management & Monitoring
Part 3 of 6
AgendaMonitoring the server and client computers
Backup and restore
Managing server storage and Storage Spaces
Creating server shared folders
Monitoring the server & client computers
Health Monitoring• Proactive Health Monitoring for:• Servers, both Essentials itself and other servers• Clients, both PCs and Macs*
• Working with Alerts• Notifications are displayed on the server and affected clients• Alert notifications can be set via email• They describe the alert condition• They provide steps for resolution, and links to repair actions when
available• Health Monitoring is Extensible• Third parties can leverage monitoring capabilities for their own
applications running in the environment*Health alerts for Macs are a subset of those available for PCs
Dashboard Alerts (Server)• In the Dashboard, the Alert Viewer displays alerts for the entire
network• Alerts can be filtered:• By source
(computer)• By severity
(critical, warning, info)• Sample alerts include:• Firewall status• Anti-malware status• Software update status• Disk space utilization
Launchpad Alerts (Client)• From a user’s Launchpad, the
Alert Viewer displays alertsspecific to their computer• Alerts can be filtered by severity
(critical, warning, info)• Alert notifications can be turned
off in Launchpad settings• Proscriptive guidance provided
to the user can reduceadministrator intervention
• Users can ignore/delete alerts• The alert will also be ‘ignored’ in the Dashboard• If a deleted alert condition is redetected, a new alert will be created
Best Practices Analyzer• Now integrated into the
Dashboard, no separate download necessary
• Currently over 80 BPA rules are checked during each scan
• BPA errors/warnings will generatea notification in the Alert Viewer
• Complete scan results can be viewed on the Devices page• Select the Essentials server
Health Report Add-In• Generate reports on demand
or automatically on a schedule• Customize the content of
reports• Critical alerts and warnings• Critical errors in the event logs• Server Backup status• Auto-start services not running• Status of Updates• Status of Storage
• Send reports through email to any recipient
Backup & Restore
Server Backup• Add hard drive(s) to Server Backup• Attach new hard drive to server and
designate as backup destination (not storage)
• Removable external drives recommended• Internal drives can be used
• Using multiple drives allows for offsite rotation, improving data protection
• Simple wizard quickly establishes backup settings:• Backup destination• Schedule• Items & Drives to protect
Server Restore• Restore Server Data• Restore from most recent or previous
backups• Recover individual files, folders, or
entire drives• Server Recovery• Performs “bare metal” restore• Boot from installation DVD and choose
repair or create a bootable USB recovery flash drive
• Server Recovery• Provides for “factory reset”
Windows Azure Online Backup• Optional cloud-based backup solution• Enables server data to be backed up to and
recovered from an off-premises datacenter• Performs block-level incremental backup• Reduces online storage and bandwidth
utilization• Adds a new page to the Dashboard• Create Windows Azure account and
register before performing initial online backup
Online Backup Settings• Configure online backup
settings• Add folders• Optionally add File History
backups for Windows 8 client computers
• Set backup schedule• Specify retention policy• Optionally enable bandwidth
utilization parameters• Option to manually start
backup
Client Backup• Connect Computer wizard
automatically configures client computer backup
• Client backup settings are configured using the Dashboard• Backup time window• Retention policy
• Users can also manually initiate a backup from the Launchpad
• Backups allow for restore of files and folders or the entire computer(bare metal restore)
• Restore Files, Folders, or Drives• Administrator launches Dashboard
from client computer• Select items for restore from a
backup set• Full System Restore• Boot client computer from Recovery
media• Select computer name
and backup set
Client Restore
File History Integration• New feature of Windows 8• Enables end users to restore files &
folders• Select the folders to protect• Documents and Desktop• Libraries, Desktop, Contacts, and
Favorites• All profile data except Libraries of media
• Set desired frequency (from once every10 minutes to once per day)
• Set desired retention policy• Until space is needed• Fixed duration from 1 month up to 2
years• Forever
Server Storage & Storage Spaces
Storage• Underlying storage architecture
is the same across the Windows Server 2012 family• Multi-drive support• Basic Software RAID support• Storage Spaces & Virtual Disks• Hardware RAID support
• Essentials-specific storage features:• Move Folder wizard• File History integration• Re-create predefined shared folders
Storage Spaces• Create flexible, low-cost,
resilient data volumes with Storage Spaces• Storage pools• Resiliency options: none, mirroring,
partiy• Thin provisioning
• Dynamically add storage capacity to match business requirements
• A new option to complement traditional hardware RAID solutions
• Virtualization for storage
Expanding Server Storage• Alert is shown when a new
unformatted hard drive is added• Formatted drives will automatically show
as available storage drives• Formatting can be started via a link in
the alert • Can be added to a storage pool when
using Storage Spaces• Can be designated as a backup
destination device
Adding Server Backup Drives• Essentials uses the standard Windows
Server Backup feature• Hard drives are used as backup destinations• Tapes and tape drives are not supported• Assign drives for use with backup on the
Storage page in the Dashboard• Recommended to use multiple removable,
external hard drives to enable offsite rotation
Shared Folders
Creating Shared Folders• Storage page in the Dashboard, Server Folders sub-tab• In Tasks pane, “Add a folder” wizard• Enter folder name• Determine the drive destination• Assign user permissions• Include in server backup
Shared Folder Properties• The Dashboard simplifies shared folder management• Rename the folder; update its description• Modify user access permissions and optionally hide it from remote
access
Moving Shared Folders• Shared folders can be moved to a
different storage drive• Move Folder wizard ensures all
properties and data are moved correctly• Select the folder to move in the folder
tab• Click on “Move the folder” in tasks
pane• Choose an available destination drive
• Ensure you add the new folder to server backup when move is completed
Next Steps
Resources
TechNet TechCenterDiscover more technical information athttp://technet.microsoft.com/en-US/sbs/jj159331
Partner ResourcesFind resources specifically for partners at http://partner.microsoft.com andlearn about the first server opportunity at http://aka.ms/pmcFirstServer
Product PageLearn more about Windows Server 2012 Essentials at http://microsoft.com/essentials2012
© 2012 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Microsoft, Windows, and other product names are or may be registered trademarks and/or trademarks in the U.S. and/or other countries.The information herein is for informational purposes only and represents the current view of Microsoft Corporation as of the date of this presentation. Because Microsoft must respond to changing market conditions, it should not be interpreted to be a commitment on the part of Microsoft, and Microsoft cannot guarantee the accuracy of any information provided after the date of this presentation. MICROSOFT MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, AS TO THE INFORMATION IN THIS PRESENTATION.
Windows Server 2012 Editions
• Per Server Licensing• Limited to 1 processor
only• Up to 15 users, no CALs• Cannot be virtualized and
cannot be used at a virtualization host
• Basic workloads for core IT capabilities: file sharing, printer sharing and remote access
Foundation
• Per Server Licensing• Up to max of 2 processors• Up to 25 users, no CALs• Can be virtualized, but
cannot be used as a virtualization host
• Ideal for small businesses: protect data, organize and access business information and access cloud services
• Processor & CALs• Up to 2 processors per
license; no processor limit• Virtual Use Rights: 2
Instances• Unlimited users with CALs• All server features
including: continuous availability, storage, management, networking, identity and access (parity with Datacenter)
• Processor & CALs• Up to 2 processors per
license; no processor limit• Unlimited Virtual
Instances • Unlimited users with CALs• Full product features• High Density
Virtualization for private and hybrid cloud environments
Essentials Standard Datacenter
Simple and Easy to Use
Protect Data with a Highly Secure, Reliable, and Compatible Server
Cost Effective
Access Business Informationfrom Virtually Anywhere, Anytime
Room to Grow
One server meets all your business needs with simplified management and easily connects to the cloud
Secure data with simplified backups and built-in disaster recovery
Secure data with simplified backups and built-in disaster recovery, and deliver more cost-effective, scalable storage solutions
Consistent and easy access from virtually anywhere, anytime, with high security
Run line-of-business applicationsEasily convert to Windows Server 2012 Standard
Why Windows Server 2012 Essentials?