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Bring yourself up to speed with our introductory content.
Get started
Bring yourself up to speed with our introductory content.
What are my options for Azure ExpressRoute connections?
For companies that need a private connection and full access to different Azure regions, Microsoft offers a premium version of Azure ExpressRoute. Continue Reading
Exchange staged migration
The staged Exchange migration process transfers data and mailboxes from one Exchange server to another, either on-premises or in the cloud. Continue Reading
Microsoft Scale-Out File Server
Microsoft Scale-Out File Server is an active-active clustered file server feature based on Server Message Block (SMB) 3.0 to provide continuous availability of file shares in Windows Server. Continue Reading
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Using XPath syntax to root through XML documents
Using XPath syntax and the Select-XML cmdlet can help uncover the information you need in an XML document. Continue Reading
Microsoft Storage Spaces Direct
Microsoft Storage Spaces Direct is a feature in Windows Server 2016 that uses local server storage to build highly available and scalable software-defined storage systems for Hyper-V virtual machines. Continue Reading
Microsoft Storage Replica
Microsoft Storage Replica is a feature in Windows Server 2016 that provides synchronous block-level, volume-based replication for high availability and disaster recovery needs.Continue Reading
Learn Group Policy basics for Windows administrators
Group Policy hasn't changed much since its introduction, but it can be overwhelming to beginners. Learn how to use Group Policy to manage users and computers.Continue Reading
Microsoft Azure Resource Manager
Microsoft Azure Resource Manager (ARM) is a management framework that allows administrators to deploy, manage and monitor Azure resources.Continue Reading
How to calculate Exchange 2013 resource requirements
Inadequate server resources can impair performance and growth. Here's how to calculate megacycles of work and memory requirements for Exchange 2013.Continue Reading
Microsoft Azure Key Vault
Microsoft Azure Key Vault is a cloud-hosted management service that allows users to encrypt keys and small secrets like passwords or answers to security questions that are used in their cloud applications and services.Continue Reading
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Just Enough Administration (JEA)
Just Enough Administration (JEA) is a PowerShell toolkit designed to help an organization reduce risk by restricting IT administrative rights.Continue Reading
Microsoft Azure Active Directory Connect (Microsoft Azure AD Connect)
Microsoft Azure Active Directory Connect (Microsoft Azure AD Connect) is a tool for connecting on-premises identity infrastructure to Microsoft Azure Active Directory.Continue Reading
Microsoft Exchange Server 2016
Microsoft Exchange Server 2016 is the latest iteration of the Exchange Server messaging platform. It is tentatively scheduled for release in the latter half of 2015.Continue Reading
Advanced threat protection add-on comes to Microsoft EOP
The ATP add-on for Exchange Online Protection gives on-premises Exchange Server and Office 365 customers another layer of security.Continue Reading
A Windows Server 2016 Group Policy walkthrough
Administrators who work with Group Policy will appreciate that the structure hasn't changed in Windows Server 2016, but there are new policies unique to the release worth noting.Continue Reading
MCITP (Microsoft Certified IT Professional)
An MCITP (Microsoft Certified IT Professional) is a credential that proves that an individual has a complete set of skills required to perform a particular IT job role, such as enterprise or virtualization administrator.Continue Reading
Microsoft Windows Server Desktop Experience
Microsoft Windows Server Desktop Experience is a feature that allows admins to install various Windows 7 features on servers running Windows Server 2008, Windows 8 features on servers running Windows Server 2012 and Windows 8.1 features on servers ...Continue Reading
Learn how to use BitLocker in Windows Server 2012
BitLocker is an encryption feature in all versions of Windows Server 2012 that can protect the data on your PC and hard drive. Learn how to install and use it.Continue Reading
Test your knowledge of Microsoft Azure
How much do you know about Microsoft Azure, the latest version of Microsoft’s Azure cloud software? This quiz will test your knowledge.Continue Reading
Microsoft Network Policy and Access Services (Microsoft NPAS)
Microsoft Network Policy and Access Services (Microsoft NPAS) is a server role in Windows 2008 and Windows Server 2012 that allows administrators to provide local and remote network access.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
Microsoft Remote Desktop Web Access (Microsoft RD Web Access)
Microsoft Remote Desktop Web Access (Microsoft RD Web Access) is a feature in Windows Server 2008 R2 and Windows Server 2012 that allows users to access RemoteApp and Desktop Connection through the Start menu or a Web browser.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
Microsoft RD Virtualization Host (Remote Desktop Virtualization Host)
Microsoft RD Virtualization Host (Remote Desktop Virtualization Host) is a Remote Desktop Services role service in Windows Server 2008 R2.Continue Reading
Microsoft System Center Operations Manager Management Pack (Microsoft SCOM Management Pack)
A System Center Operations Manager (SCOM) Management Pack is a pre-fabricated rule set intended to extend and configure SCOM for specific services or applications.Continue Reading
Microsoft AzMan (Microsoft Authorization Manager)
Microsoft AzMan (Authorization Manager) is a role-based access and security framework for .NET applications.Continue Reading
Receive Segment Coalescing (RSC)
Receive Segment Coalescing (RSC) is an offload technology in Windows Server 2012 and Windows Server 2012 R2 that can help reduce how much of the CPU is used in network processing.Continue Reading
How does Exchange Native Data Protection work?
Take a look at what Exchange Native Data Protection does in Exchange 2013 to decide if it fits into your organization.Continue Reading
How does write back cache improve performance?
With Windows Server 2012 R2 and earlier, admins have access to write-back caching, leading to reasonable improvements for mission-critical workloads.Continue Reading
Microsoft Azure Active Directory Authentication Library (ADAL)
Microsoft Azure Active Directory Authentication Library (ADAL) is a tool in the .NET framework that lets client applications developers authenticate users to an on-premises Active Directory deployment or to the cloud.Continue Reading
Distributed File System Replication (DFSR)
Distributed File System Replication (DFSR) is a replication engine that organizations can use to synchronize folders for servers on network connections that have a limited bandwidth.Continue Reading
Microsoft Azure File Service
Microsoft Azure File Service is a service that allows Windows Server admins to access SMB shares in the Azure cloud by setting up file shares in the Azure management console.Continue Reading
update sequence number (USN)
An update sequence number (USN) is a 64-bit number in Active Directory that increments time as changes occur. Local counters on every domain controller assign USNs.Continue Reading
Microsoft Hybrid Configuration Wizard
The Microsoft Hybrid Configuration wizard is a tool in Exchange Server 2013 that provides a method for admins to create and configure hybrid deployments.Continue Reading
Second Level Address Translation (SLAT)
Second Level Address Translation (SLAT) is a technology designed to reduce the overhead in a hypervisor CPU while easing the management of a hypervisor's memory and is often found with Hyper-V.Continue Reading
Microsoft Windows Control Panel
The Microsoft Windows Control Panel is a management tool for the Windows operating system (OS) that allows end users to change settings and manage tasks within the OS. Continue Reading
Microsoft Outlook MailTips
Microsoft Outlook MailTips is an opt-in tool for Exchange Server 2013 that will send alerts to end users when they are about about to click "reply all" to a large distribution list, send sensitive information to someone outside the organization or ...Continue Reading
Microsoft Windows Update Agent
Microsoft Windows Update Agent is a tool that can work in conjunction with Windows Server Update Services on each client computer in an enterprise that checks for available updates.Continue Reading
Microsoft Virtual Machine Bus (VMBus)
Microsoft Virtual Machine Bus (VMBus) is a mechanism within the Hyper-V architecture that enables logical communication in partitions.Continue Reading
Windows Server Backup
Windows Server Backup is a feature that offers backup and recovery options for Windows Server environments.Continue Reading
Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP)
A Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP) is an individual recognized by Microsoft for exceptional technical expertise and a talent for sharing knowledge within their technical community.Continue Reading
Windows Deployment Services (WDS)
Windows Deployment Services is a server role that gives admins the ability to deploy Windows operating systems remotely.Continue Reading
File Server Resource Manager (FSRM)
File Server Resource Manager is a features set in the File and Storage Services server role that helps admins classify and manage stored data in file servers for data management.Continue Reading
iSCSI Target Server
ISCSI Target Server is a server that lets administrators boot multiple computers to a network from a single operating system image in a central location.Continue Reading
Active Directory Certificate Services (AD CS)
Active Directory Certificate Services (AD CS) is an Active Directory tool that lets administrators customize services in order to issue and manage public key certificates.Continue Reading
RODC (read-only domain controller)
A read-only domain controller (RODC) is a domain controller that hosts an Active Directory database's read-only partitions.Continue Reading
Should you migrate to Windows Server 2012 R2?
It's time to seriously consider migration plans for Windows Server 2012 R2. Learn best practices, what's new and more.Continue Reading
Microsoft Windows Performance Monitor
The Microsoft Windows Performance Monitor is a tool that admins can use to examine how programs running on their computers affect their performance.Continue Reading
A closer look at virtual hard disks in Windows Server 2012 R2
The VHDX format includes performance-enhancing features and capabilities that let virtual servers recover VMs with little to no data loss.Continue Reading
Windows Domain Join
Windows Domain Join is a feature that lets users establish a remote and secure connection to a work domain using credentials from the enterprise, allowing them to effectively "join" that domain.Continue Reading
Compression eases Live Migration process in Windows Server 2012 R2
By using Live Migration compression, smaller VM files are transferred more quickly between systems and have fewer resent or dropped packets.Continue Reading
How Remote DMA improves Live Migration in Windows Server 2012 R2
The RDMA feature can use high-throughput, low-latency data exchanges to improve Live Migration's performance in Windows Server 2012 R2.Continue Reading
Web Application Proxy
Web Application Proxy is a service in Windows Server 2012 R2 that allows end users to access applications from outside the corporate network on any device.Continue Reading
Workplace Join
Workplace Join is a tool in Windows Server 2012 R2 that allows a Windows 8.1 device to gain access to specific network resources. Continue Reading
Windows Server 2012 R2 Storage Spaces addresses storage growth demands
Windows Server 2012 R2 Storage Spaces offers an alternative to traditional SAN storage and includes updates for virtualizing shared storage.Continue Reading
DirSync (Windows Azure Active Directory Sync)
DirSync (Directory Synchronization) is a tool for making copies of a local directory in a hybrid cloud deployment of Microsoft Exchange.Continue Reading
cluster name object (CNO)
A cluster name object (CNO) is an Active Directory computer object linked with the network resource Cluster Name.Continue Reading
Microsoft Virtual Academy (MVA)
The Microsoft Virtual Academy (MVA) is a free online school with courses that cover Microsoft-related topics and specific Microsoft products.Continue Reading
Microsoft Active Directory Rights Management Services (AD Rights Management Services)
Active Directory Rights Management Services (AD RMS) is a security tool that provides a safeguard to prevent unauthorized access to data.Continue Reading
Dynamic Quorum
Dynamic Quorum is the ability of a cluster to recalculate a quorum as it maintains a working cluster.Continue Reading
Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R2
Windows Server 2012 R2 is the second iteration of Windows Server 2012.Continue Reading
Microsoft Exchange Online Protection (EOP)
Microsoft Exchange Online Protection (EOP) is an email cloud service that provides end users with protection against spam and malware.Continue Reading
Microsoft Dynamic Access Control (DAC)
Microsoft Dynamic Access Control (DAC) is a data governance tool in Windows Server 2012 that lets admins control the permission of access settings in an organization.Continue Reading
iSCSI target (Internet Small Computer System Interface target)
ISCSI target is a storage option in an Internet Small Computer System Interface server that manages connections between servers that need access to the targets and the iSCSI storage subsystem in a storage area network.Continue Reading
DCPromo (Domain Controller Promoter)
DCPromo (Domain Controller Promoter) is a tool in Active Directory that installs and removes Active Directory Domain Services and promotes domain controllers.Continue Reading
RSAT (Microsoft Remote Server Administration Tools)
RSAT (Remote Server Administration Tools) is a feature that began in Windows Server 2008 R2 to help admins remotely manage computers running Windows Server.Continue Reading
VHDX (Hyper-V virtual hard disk)
VHDX is a Hyper-V virtual hard disk (VHD) format found in Windows Server 2012.Continue Reading
OAB (offline address book)
An Offline Address Book is a downloaded copy of a Microsoft Outlook user's address list which allows the user access to email addresses when disconnected from Exchange Server.Continue Reading
Microsoft Exchange Global Address List (GAL)
The Microsoft Exchange Global Address List is a list of all users and their respective email addresses within an Exchange Server organization that uses Microsoft Outlook for email.Continue Reading
Remoting (PowerShell Remoting)
PowerShell Remoting is a feature in PowerShell that lets admins run commands on remote systems.Continue Reading
Microsoft Exchange RBAC (Role Based Access Control)
Microsoft Exchange RBAC is a permissions model used in Exchange Server 2010 and Exchange Server 2013.Continue Reading
Microsoft iSCSI Initiator
Microsoft iSCSI Initiator is a tool that connects external iSCSI-based storage to host computers with an Ethernet network adapter.Continue Reading
CHKDSK (check disk)
CHKDSK (pronounced check disk) is a command that displays a status report for a volume, such as a disk, and can correct any errors found in that volume.Continue Reading
backup domain controller (Windows NT)
A backup domain controller (BDC) is a role a Windows NT computer takes on to help manage access to network resources.Continue Reading
Microsoft Exchange Control Panel
The Exchange Control Panel (ECP) is a Web-based management interface introduced in Exchange Server 2010.Continue Reading
Exchange Autodiscover service
The Exchange Autodiscover service helps Exchange administrators set up and sustain server settings for computers that run Microsoft Outlook, as well as settings for supported mobile devices.Continue Reading
Test your knowledge of new Windows Server 2012 features with this quiz
Think you've done a good job in keeping up with all of the year's Windows Server news, updates and features? Take this short quiz to find out.Continue Reading
Microsoft Cluster Service (MSCS)
Microsoft Cluster Service (MSCS) is a service that provides high availability (HA) for applications such as databases, messaging and file and print services.Continue Reading
peer-to-peer network (P2P network)
A peer-to-peer (P2P) network is a network in which each computer functions as a client or server for other computers in the network.Continue Reading
client-server network
A client-server network is a communications model in which multiple client programs share the services of a common server program.Continue Reading
Exchange Web Services (EWS)
Exchange Web Services (EWS) is an application program interface (API) that allows programmers to access Exchange items such as calendars, contacts and email in Exchange Server 2007 and higher.Continue Reading
Group Policy Editor (GP Editor)
Group Policy Editor is a tool that helps administrators manage policy settings in Microsoft Management Console (MMC) snap-ins.Continue Reading
boot partition
A boot partition is a disk partition responsible for holding Windows system files when booting up Windows.Continue Reading
Local Group Policy Editor
Local Group Policy Editor is a user interface that allows all Local Group Policy objects and their settings to be managed in one place.Continue Reading
Windows Process Activation Service (WPAS)
Windows Process Activation Service (WAS) is a tool for managing worker processes that contain applications that host Windows Communication Foundation (WCF) services. Worker processes handle requests that are sent to a Web Server for specific ...Continue Reading
Admin quiz: Test your Microsoft Group Policy knowledge
Think you're an expert in Microsoft Group Policy? Test your knowledge with our quiz.Continue Reading
Directory Services Restore Mode (DSRM)
Directory Services Restore Mode (DSRM) is a safe mode boot option for Windows Server domain controllers.Continue Reading
Windows Server 2012 (WS 2012)
Windows Server 2012, formerly codenamed Windows Server 8, is the latest version of Windows Server.Continue Reading
Microsoft Exchange Management Shell (EMS)
Microsoft Exchange Management Shell (EMS) is a scripting platform that enables administrators to manage Exchange Server. EMS is is built on top of Microsoft PowerShell, a command line shell that allows administrators to perform administrative tasks ...Continue Reading
Exchange Administration Center (EAC)
The Exchange Administration Center (EAC) is a Web-based management console for managing Exchange Server 2013 environments.Continue Reading
Outlook Anywhere
Microsoft Outlook Anywhere is a software feature that allows end users with Microsoft Office Outlook 2010, Outlook 2007 or Outlook 2003 to access corporate email and calendars over the Internet from outside the corporate domain without having to log...Continue Reading
Test your Windows Server 2012 knowledge
How much do you know about Windows Server 2012, Microsoft's latest enhancement to its server product? Take our quick quiz.Continue Reading
transitive trust
Transitive trust is a two-way relationship automatically created between parent and child domains in a Microsoft Active Directory forest.Continue Reading
Active Directory domain (AD domain)
An Active Directory domain is a collection of objects within a Microsoft Active Directory network. An object can be a single user or a group or it can be a hardware component, such as a computer or printer.Continue Reading
organizational unit (OU)
An organizational unit (OU) is a container within a Microsoft Active Directory domain which can hold users, groups and computers.Continue Reading
CSV (Cluster Shared Volumes)
CSV (Cluster Shared Volumes) is a feature in Windows Server in which shared disks are concurrently accessible to all nodes within a failover cluster.Continue Reading
gpresult
Gpresult is a command-line tool that shows the RSoP (Resultant Set of Policy) for a user or computer based on applied Group Policy settings.Continue Reading
Group Policy Preferences
Group Policy Preferences are a set of extensions, introduced in Windows Server 2008, that increase the functionality of Group Policy Objects.Continue Reading
RSoP (Resultant Set of Policy)
RSoP (Resultant Set of Policy) is a report of all Group Policy settings within Active Directory that shows how those settings can affect a network.Continue Reading
TCPView
TCPView is a Windows network monitoring utility that shows a graphical representation of all currently active TCP and UDP endpoints on a system.Continue Reading