To Do List: When Moving to Windows Server 2008

Are you planning to start using Server 2008 Standard? Before you do, remember that there are important things that come into play if you want to ensure a successful migration. The whole purpose of deploying Windows Server 2008 is to improve your systems so remember to keep these tips in mind.

Remember how data integration plays a crucial role in this whole business of migrating to Windows Server 2008.

That being said, here are some of the things you can implement if you intend to make full use of this version of Win Server:

1.       Start using a member server and be sure that your domain controllers are upgraded eventually. Once a domain controller for Server 2008 is added, you may need to run an ADPREP but this step is vital to get your platform fully functioning.

2.       Bitlocker is the encryption tech very commonly associated with 2008, so if you intend to take advantage of it, be sure your disk partitions are properly planned and allocated. It is recommended that you use 2 partitions at least. Take note that you can also encrypt some non-system volumes when using the software.

3.       Remember that Internet Explorer Enhanced Security Configuration should ideally be disabled. Internet Explorer jives very well with a Windows Server operating system. Therefore before you acquire some drivers or another browser such as FireFox, you need to disable IE. You can do this by first going to >> Server Manager console >> Configure IE ESC and then you can disable it if you are an administrator

4.       For your Internet Options, there are several recommended configurations so that Win 2008 can function better. First open up Explorer and go to the first-time options on its first run. Ideally, you should set the home page to blank or your preferred URL and you should uncheck “Enable page transitions, Reuse windows for launching shortcuts, and Show friendly HTTP error messages”, these are all under Advanced options.

5.       SuperFetch is something you should turn on and it is not enabled in the default settings of Server 2008. It is said that SuperFetch makes the OS function better because it assimilates patterns and behavior of the users. You can make changes by going to the regedit (Registry) and then visiting the path indicated below:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\SessionManager\Memory         Management\PrefetchParameters

The changes you should make are regarding the DWORD Value “EnablePrefetcher” with 3 as a value and “EnableSuperfetch” with 3 as a value.

Keep these tips in mind and in no time you will be loving your use of Windows Server 2008 Standard.

Keeping Better Track with Server 2008

You've probably decided to begin deploying Server 2008 Standard. The best way to maximize your use of the app is to use the Computer Management tool to be able to track every connection. You will also be able to track the shared resources on a Server 2008 R2 system. Therefore, every time somebody makes use of a shared resource, it will be reflected on the Sessions node of the app.

TO view each of these connections you should input “net session” on the command prompt. Additionally, you can follow these steps:

a.     Link up with the device or PC that you made the shared resource. This is done in the Computer Management section.

b.      You will find that using the console tree, you are given the option to be able to expand the System Tools, the Shared Folders and to choose Sessions. After this, you should be able to view connections to the different shares for the different users and their devices.

There are columns in the Sessions node and these are crucial information about every user and each of their device’s connections. Just remember, Computer indicates what device i.e. computer is used as of the moment. Type indicates the kind of network connection that is deployed. Open Files specifies the quantity or number of files that a user is currently engaging in.

By extension, do not forget that Connected Time indicates the time that has transpired ever since the connection was made. On the other hand, Idle Time indicates the amount of time since a certain connection was last deployed. A Guest is what will be reflected on if the user is logged in as a guest and of course the User indicates the users of the devices who are using the shared resources.

These, though are just the technical aspects of getting connections to work as a cohesive whole, always remember to focus on the bottom line of the business. You should also ensure that everyone is looking  out for one another. A good IT department knows that they are an indispensable aspect of any organization, so Server 2008 Standard or not, you should make the most out of this.

Finally, it is important to hold regular meetings and to communicate regularly with every key player of the team. This makes sure that no one gets left out and every feels like an integral part of the whole.

Tags: Server 2008 Standard, Server, 2008, Standard, Microsoft, Office, Side, Dedicated, Enterprise