Windows Server 2008 Tips

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Use the Wbadmin Backup Command Line Utility in Windows Server 2008
Are you familiar with the Wbadmin Backup Command Line Utility? Wbadmin is the command-line counterpart to Windows Server Backup. You use Wbadmin to manage all aspects of backup configuration that you would otherwise manage in Windows Server Backup. For more info, read on.
9 Questions You Must Ask Yourself When Planning a Backup Strategy
It takes time to create and implement a backup and recovery plan. To help you create a plan, consider the following questions in this tip.
Use Group Policy and the Scwcmd Tool to Deploy Security Policies
This tip shows you how to use the transform command in the Scwcmd utility to create a GPO that includes the settings in the security policy (and any security templates attached to the policy).
Create Shared Resources that Are Hidden
This tip shows you how to hide a share from users. Pretty sneaky stuff!
Monitor and Tune Network Bandwidth and Connectivity
No other factor matters more to the way a user perceives your server’s performance than the network that connects your server to the user’s computer. The delay, or latency, between when a request is made and the time it’s received can make all the difference. To determine the throughput and current activity on a server’s network cards, you can check these counters.
Uncover Memory-Related Bottlenecks
Memory is often the source of performance problems, and you should always rule out memory problems before examining other areas of the system. Here’s an overview of counters that you’ll want to track to uncover memory, caching, and virtual memory (paging) bottlenecks.
Create and Use Starter GPOs
When you create a new GPO in the GPMC, you are given the opportunity to base the new GPO on a starter GPO. Because the settings of the starter GPO are then imported into the new GPO, you can use a starter GPO to define the base configuration settings for a new GPO. Here are the steps you need to follow to create a starter GPO.
Create a New Failover Cluster in 12 Steps
Once you’ve thoroughly researched and planned your implementation of Failover clusters, you’re ready to actually create the cluster. The mechanism to create and manage Failover clusters is the Cluster Administrator application, part of the Administrative Tools folder. Here are the 12 easy steps!
Use Windows PowerShell to Manage Virtual Machines
Here are a few examples of how you can use Windows PowerShell scripts to manage virtual machines running on a Server Core installation. Note that these scripts are presented as samples and may need to be customized to work in your environment.
Install the Windows Server Backup Feature on Server Core
Before you can back up a Server Core computer, you must install the Windows Server Backup feature. This can be done in two ways, both of which we detail here.
Use Built-In Tools to Monitor DNS Servers
Windows Server 2008 offers built-in functionality for monitoring a DNS server. You can configure monitoring to occur manually or automatically by following these simple steps!
Installing and Uninstalling Roles and Features Using Ocsetup
You can use Ocsetup.exe to install or remove roles, role services, and features on Server Core. Note that the Ocsetup.exe syntax is case sensitive so you must type package names exactly as shown in this list.
Administer Windows Server 2008 Server Core from the Command Prompt
This tip offers a list of tools that will help you become an expert in administering Server Core from the command prompt.
Disabling an Unused Part of Group Policy Objects
One way to disable a policy is to disable an unused part of the GPO. By disabling part of a policy that isn’t used, the application of GPOs and security will be faster.
Quickly Map a Network Drive in Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008
Need to quickly map a network drive? We show you how, in both Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008.
Create and Restore Shadow Copies on Windows Server 2008
Simple steps for creating and restoring Shadow Copies on Windows Server 2008!
Run Check Disk from the Command Line to Find and Fix Errors
You can run Check Disk from the command line or within other utilities. At a command prompt, you can test the integrity of the E drive by typing these commands.
Use Built-In Tools to Create Partitions and Volumes in Windows Server
Windows Server 2008 simplifies the Disk Management user interface by using one set of dialog boxes and wizards for both partitions and volumes.
Understand Implicit Groups and Identities in Windows Server 2008
Windows Server 2008 defines a set of special identities that you can use to assign permissions in certain situations. The special identities are listed here.
Create System Startup / Shutdown and User Logon / Logoff Scripts
With Windows Server 2008 you can configure four types of scripts: Computer Startup Executed during startup; Computer Shutdown Executed prior to shutdown; User Logon Executed when a user logs on; and User Logoff Executed when a user logs off. Here's how to write these useful scripts.
Quickly Filter Event Logs in Windows Server 2008
The Event Viewer automatically creates several filtered views of the event logs. You can also create a custom view to make it easier to look for specific types of events.
Commands and Tools for Managing Windows Server 2008 Server Core
With a core server installation, you have a minimal UI that includes a limited desktop environment for local console management of the server. Here is an overview of key commands and utilities you’ll use for managing server core installations while logged on locally.

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