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?