Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials Installation Guide for Small Businesses

Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials is the latest version of Microsoft's server operating system designed for organizations with up to 25 employees. However, as with most modern applications it comes with only the most basic of instructions. Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials Installation Guide for Small Businesses is a succinct installation guide produced from a real world perspective and written according to the Goldilocks Principle - not too little information, not too much information, but just right. With over 170 illustrations and screenshots, practical examples and clear explanations it takes you through setting up Essentials in a typical small business. Whether you are installing Essentials for the first time, are planning to do so or are just plain curious, you will find this proven guide of interest. This edition is also applicable to Windows Storage Server systems. CONTENTS 1. Hardware and Infrastructure 1.1 File Server 1.2 Disk Drives and Storage Options 1.2.1 Single Drive System 1.2.2 Twin Disk Drives 1.2.3 RAID 1.2.4 Storage Spaces 1.2.5 SSD and 2 ½ inch Drives 1.2.6 Storage Server systems 1.3 Internet Connection, Hub, Router 1.4 IP Considerations 2. Basic Installation of Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials 3. Managing Essentials – The 5 Minute Tour 4. Users and Folders 4.1 Setting up Storage Spaces 4.2 Creating User Accounts 4.3 Folder Redirection 4.4 Creating Additional Folders 4.5 User Groups 5. Connecting Computers to the Server 5.1 Using the Windows Server Essentials Connector 5.2 Disabling the Launchpad 5.3 Additional Considerations When Connecting Windows 8 Clients 5.4 Adding a Computer to the Domain without using the Connector 5.5 Connecting Computers with Unsupported Operating Systems 6. Backups and Restores 6.1 Configuring Backups for the Server 6.2 Recovering Files to the Server 6.3 Backing up to a Network Drive 6.4 Configuring Backups for the Computers 6.4.1 Changing the Backup Parameters 6.5 Restoring Data to a Computer 7. Printing 7.1 Networked Printer 7.2 Shared Printer on Server 8. Remote Access 8.1 Setting up Anywhere Access 8.2 Controlling Anywhere Access for Individual Users 8.3 Using Remote Web Access 8.4 Using the VPN (Virtual Private Network) 8.4.1 Windows 8 Clients 8.4.2 Windows 7 Clients 8.5. Using Dropbox with Essentials 8.6. Using Google Drive with Essentials 9. Housekeeping and Monitoring the Health of the System 9.1 Checking the Dashboard 9.2 Generating a Report 9.3 Customizing the Health Report 9.4 Setting up a Scheduled, Emailed Report 9.5 Optimizing the Hard Drives 9.6 Applying Windows Updates to the Server 9.7 Task Manager and Resource Monitor 10. Working with iPads and Other Devices 10.1 Accessing the File System with File Browser 10.2 Using Dropbox and Google Drive 10.3 My Server App for Windows Phone 10.4 Microsoft Remote Desktop app for iOS 10.5 Chromebooks 11. Group Policy 11.1 Group Policy Management Console 11.2 Defining the Internet Home Page for All Users 11.3 Windows 7 & Windows 8 Logon Behaviour 12. Miscellaneous Topics 12.1 Disabling Internet Explorer Enhanced Security 12.2 Security Software for the Server 12.3 Customizing the Server Desktop Screen 12.4 Headless Operation 12.5 Drive Mappings via Login Script 12.6 Restore Missing Shortcut to Shared Folders 12.7 Managing Computers from the Server 12.8 Add-ins 13. Office 365 13.1 Preparation 13.2 Installation 13.3 Creating a New User 13.4 Assigning an Existing Local Account 13.5 Removing and Blocking an Online Account 13.6 Checking Who Has an Online Account 13.7 Changes to Storage Page in Dashboard 13.8 Changes to Devices Page in Dashboard Appendix A: Installing DHCP Appendix B: Installing Windows Server Essentials Experience on Server 2012 Appendix C: Multiple Network Adapters (NIC Teaming)