Windows Storage Systems Hardware
Top Stories
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Tip
20 Jul 2021
Using Diskpart to create, delete, clean or extend disk partitions
The diskpart is one of the oldest tools in the Windows operating system that handles a wide range of disk management jobs, such as assigning drive letters and deleting partitions. Continue Reading
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News
06 Mar 2019
Infinidat InfiniBox preps SMB protocol nodes for Windows
All-flash arrays command most of the attention, but Infinidat claims its InfiniBox arrays deliver the performance of flash on commodity-priced spinning disk. Continue Reading
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News
15 Jan 2020
January Patch Tuesday fixes cryptography bug found by NSA
The U.S. National Security Agency shared information with Microsoft about a significant spoofing vulnerability in Windows that enterprises should make a patching priority. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
14 Jan 2020
How to set up Windows Server 2019 virtual network encryption
Microsoft tightens the security on its virtualization platform, even if a breach occurs, to prevent intruders from eavesdropping on traffic between VMs. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
13 Jan 2020
Use PowerShell workflows when performance matters
When time is of the essence, add parallel processing to your PowerShell scripts to perform tasks more efficiently by using the workflows feature in the automation tool. Continue Reading
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Feature
31 Dec 2019
On-premises server monitoring tools meet business needs, budget
Compare these eight on-premises network, server and application monitoring tools to determine which best fits your organization's specific use cases, business needs and budget. Continue Reading
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Tip
31 Dec 2019
Using the Windows Admin Center Azure services feature
Microsoft wants you to add more of its Azure cloud services to your data center by using its new administrative tool to streamline the setup process. Continue Reading
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Tip
26 Dec 2019
How to navigate a ransomware recovery process
If you find your systems locked up from a ransomware attack, what should you prioritize? Before you start your recovery, follow this plan to avoid additional trouble. Continue Reading
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Feature
23 Dec 2019
PowerShell tutorials capture attention of admins in 2019
Interest in automation continues to trend upward for administrators of Windows systems, particularly when it involves PowerShell. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
20 Dec 2019
Using wsusscn2.cab to find missing Windows updates
Avoid unnecessary security headaches by using the Windows Update offline scan file and PowerShell to ensure your systems have all their Microsoft patches. Continue Reading
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Tip
18 Dec 2019
Are containers on Windows the right choice for you?
Containers have grown in popularity, but there are some considerations to weigh before you decide to migrate Server 2008 workloads to this technology. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
17 Dec 2019
Get back on the mend with Active Directory recovery methods
Administrators should have a few of these data protection techniques up their sleeves to keep Active Directory from a total breakdown. Continue Reading
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Video
13 Dec 2019
How to install and test Windows Server 2019 IIS
The installation process for the Windows Server 2019 IIS role is fairly straightforward. This tutorial explains how to stand up the web server and check its ports and bindings. Continue Reading
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News
11 Dec 2019
December Patch Tuesday resolves Windows zero-day
Microsoft delivers the final batch of security fixes for the year with a Windows zero-day vulnerability getting top billing for administrators. Continue Reading
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Feature
06 Dec 2019
What admins need to know about Azure Stack HCI
Microsoft put its branding on a relatively new hyper-converged infrastructure offering that capitalizes on the software-defined features in Windows Server 2019. Continue Reading
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Tip
05 Dec 2019
How to manage Exchange hybrid mail flow rules
Duplicating your existing transport rule collection won't work when you move to an Exchange hybrid deployment. Learn how to set up a proper mail flow with these tips. Continue Reading
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Tip
02 Dec 2019
How to repair Windows Server using Windows SFC and DISM
Administrators can diagnose and treat a buggy server operating system by using the Windows SFC and DISM utilities for image analysis and repairs. Continue Reading
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Feature
27 Nov 2019
Microsoft's history and future strategy beyond 2020
Microsoft's history over the past 20 years is marked by the pivot from closed software models to support for open source and cloud. Quantum computing will shape the next decades. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
27 Nov 2019
Learn PowerShell scripting using the PSKoans module
Want to get started with PowerShell automation to manage your Windows systems? Try the PSKoans module to learn as you go through its exercises to build your scripting skills. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
26 Nov 2019
Migrating file servers using Storage Migration Service
Need to move from Windows Server 2003 and up? The Storage Migration Service in the Windows Admin Center does most of the heavy lifting to make this procedure more routine rather than risky. Continue Reading
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Tip
26 Nov 2019
URL filtering brings additional Office 365 protection
Ransomware attacks evolve to evade Office 365's integrated protection systems. A third-party security tool can help shore up your defenses. Continue Reading
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Tip
20 Nov 2019
Windows Server 2008 end of life: Is Azure the right path?
Time is almost up for support for your Windows Server 2008/2008 R2 workloads. Microsoft would like you to migrate those VMs to Azure, but is that the best choice? Continue Reading
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Tip
19 Nov 2019
Tips for ransomware protection on Windows systems
No one product can prevent every ransomware attack, but there are several defensive practices Windows administrators can take to stop an encryption infection from ruining their day. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
14 Nov 2019
Azure Bastion brings convenience, security to VM management
This cloud service gets around the problem associated with jump servers and cloaks the identity of your VMs to avoid potential security issues. Continue Reading
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News
13 Nov 2019
Microsoft closes IE zero-day on November Patch Tuesday
Security updates for the month also include corrections for bugs in the Hyper-V virtualization platform, Excel for Mac systems and Exchange Server. Continue Reading
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Tip
13 Nov 2019
How to lock down rising Office 365 costs
Avoid springing a money leak in your Office 365 tenant by keeping closer tabs on several areas and following more frugal practices. Continue Reading
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Conference Coverage
13 Nov 2019
Microsoft Ignite 2019 conference coverage
Expect Microsoft to continue its cloud push at its annual conference for IT pros to get more organizations moving to Azure and its Office 365 collaboration platform. Continue Reading
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Answer
05 Nov 2019
What are the Azure Stack HCI hardware and support costs?
Organizations can cap their hyper-converged infrastructure costs when they deploy the Azure Stack HCI platform, but once they plug into the cloud, it's a different story. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
31 Oct 2019
How to manage Server Core with PowerShell
New PowerShell users will need to overcome a learning curve to work with Server Core, but the tool has some built-in aids to help you progress. Continue Reading
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Tip
29 Oct 2019
Consider these Office 365 alternatives to public folders
Public folders in Exchange still exist, but they're considered legacy features that haven't kept up with the times. See what Office 365 alternatives might be a better fit. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
24 Oct 2019
Set up PowerShell script block logging for added security
Learn how to set up your systems to capture abnormal PowerShell behavior as one way to shore up your defenses. Continue Reading
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Tip
21 Oct 2019
Cloud adoption a catalyst for IT modernization in many orgs
Sloppy and insecure IT procedures that had been overlooked before the cloud arrived must evolve with the times to prevent data exposure and system breaches. Continue Reading
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Answer
16 Oct 2019
What are the Azure Stack HCI deployment, management options?
While the Windows Admin Center is one way to manage the Azure Stack HCI platform, you can also use traditional, battle-tested tools. Continue Reading
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Tip
14 Oct 2019
What's new with the Exchange hybrid configuration wizard?
The Exchange configuration wizard continues to evolve into a refined utility with enhanced capabilities that administrators should explore when considering a hybrid deployment. Continue Reading
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Answer
10 Oct 2019
Do you know the difference in the Microsoft HCI programs?
Hyper-converged infrastructure that runs on Windows Server is not a new concept, but Microsoft's Azure Stack HCI program has one big difference from earlier HCI incarnations. Continue Reading
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Tip
09 Oct 2019
Top Office 365 MFA considerations for administrators
A complex password only goes so far to stop a breach. Implementing multifactor authorization can help, but make sure the product you select fits your current and future needs. Continue Reading
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News
09 Oct 2019
October Patch Tuesday resolves 59 vulnerabilities
Microsoft attempts to stamp out printing issues that originated from a faulty out-of-band patch for an Internet Explorer zero-day. Continue Reading
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Answer
03 Oct 2019
What are the Azure Stack HCI features?
An Azure Stack HCI system relies on Windows Server 2019 to deliver the software-defined compute, storage and networking technologies that integrate with the OEM hardware. Continue Reading
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Feature
30 Sep 2019
How to plan for an Azure cloud migration
A Windows Server migration into the Microsoft cloud comes with several administrative benefits, but it also means there are new management aspects to worry about. Continue Reading
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Feature
27 Sep 2019
The future of PowerShell begins to sharpen in focus
PowerShell's promise as a cross-platform management tool has come a long way, but much work still needs to be done for both Linux and Windows admins to pick up adoption. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
27 Sep 2019
How to work with the WSUS PowerShell module
The PoshWSUS module automates the process to synchronize and approve Windows updates. You can also use it to perform essential maintenance on the WSUS server. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
27 Sep 2019
Implement automated employee onboarding with PowerShell
Your time is precious and you shouldn't waste it by clicking through menus to set up a new user. Look at these code examples to put together your own provisioning script. Continue Reading
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Tip
25 Sep 2019
How to rebuild the SYSVOL tree using DFSR
Active Directory is the key component in many organizations to keep tabs on access and identity. If the SYSVOL directory disappears, these steps can get the system fixed. Continue Reading
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Tip
23 Sep 2019
Know your Office 365 backup options -- just in case
A move to Exchange Online in the Office 365 platform removes some administrative obligations but does require more work to set up proper email protections. Continue Reading
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Tip
19 Sep 2019
How to keep VM sprawl in check
Virtualization improves hardware use, but the pendulum can swing the other way and result in an overallocation of resources. Here's how to maintain the balance. Continue Reading
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Opinion
12 Sep 2019
Lessons learned from PowerShell Summit 2019
Want to refine your automation abilities? Learn about some of the insights gleaned from the advanced sessions held at the PowerShell Summit. Continue Reading
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News
11 Sep 2019
September Patch Tuesday addresses 2 Windows zero-days
Microsoft issues fixes for 79 unique vulnerabilities, including three public disclosures, as part of its monthly security updates. Continue Reading
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Tip
06 Sep 2019
Are you ready for the Exchange 2010 end of life?
Whether you want to stay on premises with a newer version of Exchange Server or lift that workload into Microsoft's cloud version, there are pros and cons to weigh on each end. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
05 Sep 2019
Learn to set up and use PowerShell SSH remoting
Remoting over SSH in PowerShell Core has some advantages over the traditional Windows PowerShell remoting method, but it will require a fair amount of manual configuration work. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
29 Aug 2019
How to automate patch management in Windows
Automating Windows updates with PowerShell will ease some of the labor associated with the routine patch deployment process. Continue Reading
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Tip
29 Aug 2019
How Windows Admin Center stacks up to other management tools
Microsoft is putting a lot of resources into this relatively new tool to manage Windows systems, but is it ready for prime time when compared with more seasoned offerings? Continue Reading
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Tip
29 Aug 2019
Sizing up the Office 365 protection options
Get serious about protecting your organization from ransomware and phishing attacks by taking a closer look at the leading Office 365 security offerings. Continue Reading
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Tip
28 Aug 2019
Exchange troubleshooting tools help unclog email issues
When problems with email occur, they can stem from an improper configuration of the Exchange Server system. Here's how to unravel some common messaging platform problems. Continue Reading
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Tip
27 Aug 2019
How to handle service downtime in the cloud age
You know what happens when you assume. Don't set and forget those critical IT infrastructure services in the cloud without putting together a contingency plan. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
26 Aug 2019
Using the Sysinternals Sysmon tool to check DNS queries
A recent update to the Sysinternals Sysmon utility adds DNS query logging to give deeper insights into the connections made by your Windows machines. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
21 Aug 2019
Pester tests help pinpoint infrastructure issues
The Pester testing framework gives IT pros a way to develop sophisticated and consistent testing routines that monitoring tools just can't duplicate. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
16 Aug 2019
How to transfer FSMO roles with PowerShell
You might need to shift Active Directory FSMO roles for a few reasons. If you need to do it more than once, there's a way to automate the procedure with PowerShell. Continue Reading
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News
14 Aug 2019
August Patch Tuesday corrects new 'wormable' exploits
Administrators weighed down by news of the BlueKeep vulnerability will have to contend with a similar bug some are calling DejaBlue. Continue Reading
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Tip
30 Jul 2019
Check Office 365 usage reports for user adoption insights
Microsoft gives administrators access to many Office 365 reports to pinpoint ways to improve user adoption rates and tighten up potential security leaks. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
24 Jul 2019
Use PowerShell printer management for quicker setups
Don't fiddle with printer configurations and tiresome upkeep work from the GUI when you can automate a lot of the tediousness with PowerShell. Continue Reading
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Tip
22 Jul 2019
How to plot out an Office 365 tenant-to-tenant migration
IT pros in organizations on Office 365 that undergo a merger or acquisition will have their work cut out for them to successfully execute a data migration plan between tenants. Continue Reading
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Tip
19 Jul 2019
Construct a solid Active Directory password policy
Most user authentication still relies on a strong password to keep attackers at bay. Here's how to keep your guard up without adding to your administrative workload. Continue Reading
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News
10 Jul 2019
Microsoft patches two Windows zero-days in July Patch Tuesday
Microsoft fixed two Windows zero-day flaws as part of the July 2019 Patch Tuesday release, which also saw the remediation of 75 other vulnerabilities across Microsoft products. Continue Reading
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Tip
09 Jul 2019
How to deal with the on-premises vs. cloud challenge
Some tools and applications aren't a good fit outside of the data center. Try these tactics to cope as more tools and application vendors start to migrate to the cloud. Continue Reading
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Tip
03 Jul 2019
How to manage Windows with Puppet
Administrators can modernize their organization's management model for both Linux and Windows operating systems with Puppet, a code-based tool, and available community support. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
03 Jul 2019
Try these PowerShell networking commands to stay connected
Ping has its place, but PowerShell gives you a way to dive deeper into a networking issue when a server drops its connection or starts to drop packets. Continue Reading
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Tip
28 Jun 2019
Exchange Online vs. Office 365: Which plan is a better fit?
A switch from Exchange Server to Exchange Online might make financial sense, but it might not fit the needs of your organization. Here are some common migration mistakes to avoid. Continue Reading
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Answer
28 Jun 2019
What's new in hybrid Azure services in Windows Admin Center?
Trying to get the most out of Azure hybrid services? Discover Microsoft's latest developments to further centralize management in Windows Admin Center. Continue Reading
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Tip
27 Jun 2019
Does an Azure cloud migration make sense for your workloads?
While you can't move all of your Windows Server workloads into the Azure cloud and turn off your local server closet, you can get much closer than ever. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
24 Jun 2019
Using PowerShell for Azure service principal authentication
With help from the Azure PowerShell module, you can avoid login prompts and automate the authentication process when using service principals on Microsoft's cloud platform. Continue Reading
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Tip
24 Jun 2019
Office 365 multiple tenants vs. single tenant considerations
A migration to Office 365 will require the IT staff to adjust how it manages the collaboration platform, which can get complicated if more than one tenant is involved. Continue Reading
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Tip
24 Jun 2019
How to locate privileged accounts in Active Directory
IT administrators must be able to identify privileged accounts in Active Directory for a more secure enterprise; two methods can make the task easier. Continue Reading
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Tip
21 Jun 2019
3 steps to prepare for Exchange updates
If you dread the process of updating Exchange and the possibility that patches will break the servers, you can take control by putting best practices in place with three steps. Continue Reading
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Tip
18 Jun 2019
How to keep an Office 365 outage from ruining your day
Stay on top of any potential problems with your Office 365 deployment through the monitoring dashboard and a break glass account to avoid Azure authentication outages. Continue Reading
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Tip
18 Jun 2019
How to test the PowerShell pending reboot module
Learn how to check if your machines have pending reboots with a simple PowerShell module to ensure changes to files do not cause stability issues. Continue Reading
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Feature
18 Jun 2019
Install Exchange Server 2019 on Server Core 2019 to boost security
If you don't know how to manage servers without GUI, there may be a bit of a learning curve to get the benefits of running Exchange on Server Core. Continue Reading
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Tip
17 Jun 2019
Linux on Windows helps systems administrators gain new skills
The line between Windows and Linux is starting to blur in most organizations. Here's what systems administrators need to know about working with Linux and Windows. Continue Reading
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Guide
13 Jun 2019
Stay informed about Microsoft security patches in 2019
Administrators can get up-to-date information about Microsoft security updates and expert advice on patch prioritization to ensure a smooth Patch Tuesday process all year long in this guide. Continue Reading
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News
12 Jun 2019
Microsoft plugs 4 zero-day exploits for June Patch Tuesday
Despite multiple warnings from Microsoft, the threat of the BlueKeep RDP vulnerability to unpatched Windows systems continues to loom following its May Patch Tuesday disclosure. Continue Reading
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Opinion
07 Jun 2019
Tech communities offer more than just a quick fix
IT professionals who join tech meetups and online communities might find there's more than just troubleshooting help available when they invest their time in a group. Continue Reading
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Quiz
07 Jun 2019
Can you ace this quiz on Windows Server 2019 HCI?
With each new server release, Microsoft gives administrators a whole new slew of features to learn. Challenge yourself on how well you know the Windows Server HCI features. Continue Reading
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Answer
31 May 2019
How do I avoid Exchange disk space issues?
Exchange Server log files tend to chew up a lot of space, particularly on the later versions. Here's how to keep the mail flowing when a hard drive fills up. Continue Reading
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Feature
30 May 2019
System administrator resources you'll actually use
The learning resources available for IT administrators are more plentiful than the technology that admins manage. How do they sift through the inundation of information? Continue Reading
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Answer
30 May 2019
Hyper-V vs. vSphere: How do the latest versions stack up?
Microsoft recently released Windows Server 2019, so how do the features in this version of Hyper-V compare to VMware's virtualization platform? Continue Reading
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Feature
28 May 2019
7 Windows Server 2019 features to know
If administrators want to get the most from Windows Server 2019 features, they should familiarize themselves with this cheat sheet of the improvements Microsoft has made. Continue Reading
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Tip
20 May 2019
Explore Office 365 phishing protection updates
Administrators who move to Exchange Online or the entire Office 365 platform will have a veritable arsenal of antiphishing tools, but their use requires attention to detail. Continue Reading
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Tip
16 May 2019
How to add the App Compatibility Feature on Demand to Server Core
Microsoft closed the functionality gap between Server Core and full desktop deployments with the App Compatibility feature, but will it entice admins to the GUI-less server? Continue Reading
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News
14 May 2019
May Patch Tuesday fixes zero-day, new Intel CPU bugs
Microsoft fixed 23 critical vulnerabilities in its latest monthly security updates, as well as patches for supported and unsupported Windows systems to ward off a worm that has the potential to be the next WannaCry. Continue Reading
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Feature
14 May 2019
System administrator skills you need to succeed in the cloud
Cloud technology gives IT administrators more tools to manage enterprise resources than ever before, but the expanding technology also requires admins to develop a new skill set. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
10 May 2019
Painlessly deploy Azure File Sync with PowerShell
Have you ever run low on file server capacity or struggled to access files? Setting up Azure File Sync can give your organization centralized file shares with local accessibility. Continue Reading
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Tip
07 May 2019
Is Windows Server troubleshooting on the way out?
When a Windows Server workload starts to falter, what's the best way to proceed before it keels over? Once upon a time, you would try to fix it, but times have changed. Continue Reading
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Feature
03 May 2019
Windows Admin Center brings server management under one roof
Microsoft built Windows Admin Center to make administrators' jobs easier, but the tool has many facets to learn to expertly manage Windows servers. Continue Reading
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Answer
02 May 2019
Why should I use Exchange Server maintenance mode?
When applying security updates or cumulative updates to Exchange Server, it's important to take your time and use maintenance mode to avoid disruption and data corruption. Continue Reading
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Tip
30 Apr 2019
How to successfully migrate Exchange Servers
Admins have a few options to upgrade their servers, but whether they choose cloud or on premises, the update process involves the same steps to transition old servers and avoid issues. Continue Reading
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Tip
29 Apr 2019
Windows Compatibility module expands PowerShell Core reach
The PowerShell team closed the cmdlet coverage gap with a compatibility module release for PowerShell Core, but its use requires some caution. Continue Reading
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Tip
25 Apr 2019
How will Microsoft role-based certifications affect admins?
IT administrators should already know that the only constant for Microsoft products is change. Certifications are the next thing to get an overhaul. Continue Reading
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Feature
23 Apr 2019
Potential PowerShell telemetry raises security concerns
When admins discovered the PowerShell team proposal for additional telemetry, some bristled; however, the data collection could mean a better management language for IT pros. Continue Reading
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Guide
19 Apr 2019
Latest Microsoft SDDC updates improve security, performance
Microsoft enhanced Windows Server 2019 software-defined networking and other virtualization facets of its latest server OS to improve security and increase workload performance. Continue Reading
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Answer
18 Apr 2019
How should you handle Exchange Server updates?
Microsoft changed its release model after Exchange 2010, which has caused some confusion for administrators who work on newer versions of the messaging platform. Continue Reading
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Answer
17 Apr 2019
What service does the Microsoft WSSD program provide?
A do-it-yourself approach with hyper-converged infrastructure can lead to trouble when software-defined features just won't work. See how the WSSD program can prevent issues. Continue Reading
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Feature
16 Apr 2019
4 Windows Server 2019 storage features to ease management
Microsoft includes storage features in Windows Server 2019 to ease migration and create highly available and scalable software-defined storage in data centers. Continue Reading
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Answer
15 Apr 2019
How do I avoid Exchange security certificate issues?
Exchange SSL certificates keep communications secure, so it's important avoid the bargain bin when shopping for them. Continue Reading