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Manage devices using the Dashboard
Published: August 21, 2012
Updated: October 4, 2012
Applies To: Windows Server 2012 Essentials
Windows Server 2012 Essentials makes it possible to perform common administrative tasks by using the Windows Server 2012 Essentials Dashboard. The Devices page of the Dashboard provides the following:
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A list of network computers, which displays:
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The name of the computer.
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The status of the computer. The computer status can be either Online, or Offline.
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The computer description.
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The Backup status of the computer.
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The Update status of the computer.
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The Security status of the computer.
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The Alerts status of the computer.
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Group Policy information for the computer.
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The name of the computer.
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A details pane with additional information about a selected computer.
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A tasks pane that includes a set of device administrative tasks such as viewing computer properties and alerts, setting up computer backup, and restoring files and folders from a backup.
The following table describes the various computer and backup tasks that are available in Windows Server 2012 Essentials Dashboard. Some of the tasks are computer-specific, and they are only visible when you select a computer in the list.
Computer tasks in the Dashboard
| Task name | Description |
|---|---|
|
View the computer properties |
Displays general information for a selected computer, and enables you to view details for the computer backups. |
|
Set up Backup for this computer |
Runs the Set up Backup Wizard. |
|
Customize Backup for the computer |
Opens the backup properties, from which you can make changes to the backup settings for the selected computer. |
|
Start a backup for the computer |
Starts a backup for a selected computer. |
|
Stop backup for the computer |
Stops the backup for a selected computer. |
|
Restore files or folders for the computer |
Runs the Restore Files and Folders Wizard, which enables you to restore specific files, folders, or drives. |
|
View alerts for the computer |
Displays critical and other informational alerts and enables you to take corrective action where possible. |
|
Remote Desktop to the computer |
Opens a Remote Desktop connection to the selected computer. |
|
Remove the computer |
Runs the Remove a Computer Wizard, which detaches the computer from the Windows Server 2012 Essentials Dashboard. |
|
Customize Computer Backup and File History settings |
Opens the backup settings page, from which you can make changes to the backup schedule and File History settings for client computers. |
|
How do I connect computers to the server? |
Opens a Help topic that describes the steps to perform in order to join a computer to the network. |
|
Implement Group Policy |
Applies a set of policies to Windows 8 and Windows 7 computers that are joined to the domain. |
