Evaluate
Weigh the pros and cons of technologies, products and projects you are considering.
Evaluate
Weigh the pros and cons of technologies, products and projects you are considering.
Does an Azure cloud migration make sense for your workloads?
While you can't move all of your Windows Server workloads into the Azure cloud and turn off your local server closet, you can get much closer than ever. Continue Reading
Linux on Windows helps systems administrators gain new skills
The line between Windows and Linux is starting to blur in most organizations. Here's what systems administrators need to know about working with Linux and Windows. Continue Reading
Hyper-V vs. vSphere: How do the latest versions stack up?
Microsoft recently released Windows Server 2019, so how do the features in this version of Hyper-V compare to VMware's virtualization platform? Continue Reading
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Explore Office 365 phishing protection updates
Administrators who move to Exchange Online or the entire Office 365 platform will have a veritable arsenal of antiphishing tools, but their use requires attention to detail. Continue Reading
Potential PowerShell telemetry raises security concerns
When admins discovered the PowerShell team proposal for additional telemetry, some bristled; however, the data collection could mean a better management language for IT pros. Continue Reading
What service does the Microsoft WSSD program provide?
A do-it-yourself approach with hyper-converged infrastructure can lead to trouble when software-defined features just won't work. See how the WSSD program can prevent issues.Continue Reading
Server 2008 R2 end of life hitting home for many in IT
As Microsoft support for Server 2008 R2 nears its sunset, a raft of complications make it difficult for many in IT to get on board with the Azure platform.Continue Reading
How is the Microsoft SDDC concept becoming a reality?
The promise of a software-defined infrastructure and its ability to pool resources require the right administrative tool to keep the virtualized fabric from fraying.Continue Reading
Understanding what Azure AD federation really means
A company that adopts SaaS apps to get work done can ease the transition by implementing a single sign-on method. Learn how to set up this arrangement in a secure manner.Continue Reading
Handy PowerShell ISE add-ons for server administrators
PowerShell ISE might be on the way out, but these extensions continue to sustain the development of management scripts for many Windows administrators.Continue Reading
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How to compare Windows and Linux for enterprise workloads
How do Windows and Linux rank when it comes to running production workloads? Organizations should consider more than just the initial cost.Continue Reading
Mulling a public folders migration? Weigh your options
Should you stay or should you migrate? Microsoft offers a bevy of alternatives to public folders. This tip breaks down each option to help you make a decision.Continue Reading
Microsoft Ignite 2018 conference coverage
Keep up to date on the latest developments from the Microsoft Ignite 2018 conference and get a closer look at the latest software and hardware offerings from the company.Continue Reading
Taking stock of Windows Server management tools
Microsoft provides a mix of server management tools that administrators can choose from to control the machines that run the business. This comparison can help steer your decision.Continue Reading
Azure IaaS vs. PaaS: Find the right service to reduce costs
Ready to migrate on-premises workloads to the cloud? Administrators should question their assumptions before diving in with Azure IaaS and consider the benefits of PaaS.Continue Reading
Windows Server upgrade plan can influence hardware decisions
A move to a new Windows Server operating system includes an extensive planning process, which has gotten more complicated by the influx of software-defined features.Continue Reading
Windows Server pricing muddies purchasing decision process
As the cost of Windows Server continues to rise with each new version, enterprises must evaluate whether the price of admission for the latest enhancements is too much to bear.Continue Reading
Microsoft roadmap covers practical and wishful technology
The latest innovations on the Microsoft roadmap include familiar enterprise products, but its wager on an ambitious technology could one day alter the face of computing.Continue Reading
Microsoft Ignite 2017 conference coverage
Check all the developments from the Microsoft Ignite 2017 conference in Orlando and track the company's strategic moves in its hardware, software and services businesses.Continue Reading
How to use Azure Active Directory differently than classic AD
Windows administrators can't just whip up an Azure Active Directory deployment and expect it to mimic the classic AD, but Azure AD has several meaningful uses.Continue Reading
Dig into the Exchange 2016 hardware requirements
A move to Exchange 2016 may mean increased costs to hardware that can support the latest Microsoft messaging platform.Continue Reading
Crunching the costs of Microsoft Exchange on-premises vs. cloud services
Security concerns are less of an issue for most organizations, but do the costs of using Exchange on premises vs. the Office 365 mail service stack up?Continue Reading
Eight influential Microsoft experts to follow on Twitter
Stay up to date with all things Microsoft by following some of the most knowledgeable experts on Twitter, including CEOs, CTOs and MVPs.Continue Reading
Six alternative Hyper-V management tools
There are a number of third-party Hyper-V management tools available for organizations that need to handle a few dozen nodes.Continue Reading
Test your knowledge of the SharePoint 2016 Beta 2
Released in November 2015, the SharePoint 2016 Beta 2 introduced new compliance and site creation features. Find out what may be included in the RTM version.Continue Reading
How to calculate Exchange 2013 resource requirements
Inadequate server resources can impair performance and growth. Here's how to calculate megacycles of work and memory requirements for Exchange 2013.Continue Reading
Configure disk volumes to optimize your Exchange 2013 performance
The wrong disk volumes can foil Exchange optimization practices. Assess your configurations with support and compression in mind.Continue Reading
Advanced threat protection add-on comes to Microsoft EOP
The ATP add-on for Exchange Online Protection gives on-premises Exchange Server and Office 365 customers another layer of security.Continue Reading
What are SR-IOV pros and cons with Hyper-V?
SR-IOV in Windows Server 2012 R2 supports Hyper-V Live Migration, but system requirements hampered adoption for some cases. Should everyone put PCIe SR-IOV to use?Continue Reading
What are the limitations and drawbacks of an IPAM server?
Windows Server IPAM can only handle one Active Directory forest. Learn about other limitations.Continue Reading
Hidden vulnerabilities on your IIS 8 servers
IIS 8 isn't completely immune to security flaws. Here are some vulnerabilities you might be missing.Continue Reading
How does Exchange Native Data Protection work?
Take a look at what Exchange Native Data Protection does in Exchange 2013 to decide if it fits into your organization.Continue Reading
Microsoft cloud storage may lift Azure skyward
Microsoft will continue to blare its Azure cloud next week with several cloud storage announcements. Will users listen this time?Continue Reading
When to use CPU affinity with Windows Server 2012 R2
There are several issues to consider before you decide to use CPU affinity in Windows Server 2012 R2.Continue Reading
Should you migrate to Windows Server 2012 R2?
It's time to seriously consider migration plans for Windows Server 2012 R2. Learn best practices, what's new and more.Continue Reading
How a shared virtual disk can benefit a Windows Server data center
With the introduction of Windows Server 2012 R2, shared virtual disks have capabilities to improve failover clusters in a few ways.Continue Reading
Running PowerShell scripts can ease Windows virtualization tasks
Put PowerShell cmdlets to work with Windows virtualization by automating setup, maintenance and configuration tasks in your organization.Continue Reading
Windows Server 2012 R2 makes VM migration faster, smoother
The Windows Server 2012 R2 release continues to push the trend of faster and less disruptive VM migrations in the data center.Continue Reading
Compression eases Live Migration process in Windows Server 2012 R2
By using Live Migration compression, smaller VM files are transferred more quickly between systems and have fewer resent or dropped packets.Continue Reading
How Remote DMA improves Live Migration in Windows Server 2012 R2
The RDMA feature can use high-throughput, low-latency data exchanges to improve Live Migration's performance in Windows Server 2012 R2.Continue Reading
Essential Windows Server 2012 R2 system requirements
Before upgrading to Windows Server 2012 R2, read up on hardware requirements to ensure there are enough resources to preserve performance.Continue Reading
Windows Server 2012 R2 Storage Spaces boosts performance
Three new features in Windows Storage Spaces -- storage tiering, write-back caching and dual parity -- boost storage performance.Continue Reading
Windows Server 2012 R2 Storage Spaces addresses storage growth demands
Windows Server 2012 R2 Storage Spaces offers an alternative to traditional SAN storage and includes updates for virtualizing shared storage.Continue Reading
Windows Server 2012 R2 Storage Spaces suits SSD deployments
With the new storage tiering feature, Storage Spaces in Windows Server 2012 R2 works best with solid-state-drive devices.Continue Reading
Microsoft hikes Windows Server 2012 R2 Datacenter edition pricing
Microsoft made changes to its license pricing, upping the cost of Windows Server 2012 R2 by as much as 28%. It also discussed a new licensing option.Continue Reading
Q&A: Anderson talks BYOD management in Windows Server 2012 R2
Microsoft's Brad Anderson talks about changes to expect in Windows Server 2012 R2 features, including some to security and enterprise mobility.Continue Reading
Q&A: Microsoft's Brad Anderson talks Windows Server 2012 R2
Microsoft's Brad Anderson discusses new features in Windows Server 2012, including a faster update cycle and cross-platform integration.Continue Reading
Five ways admins can embrace Windows Server 2012 Remote Management
As Microsoft encourages Windows admins to deal with servers offsite, here are some easy steps they can use for Windows Server 2012 Remote Management.Continue Reading
Deciding whether to run Server Core in Windows Server 2012
Our expert breaks down the advantages and disadvantages of deploying Server Core in Windows Server 2012.Continue Reading
Test your knowledge of new Windows Server 2012 features with this quiz
Think you've done a good job in keeping up with all of the year's Windows Server news, updates and features? Take this short quiz to find out.Continue Reading
How to access the Windows Command Prompt
Windows Server Core takes precedence over GUI
Introducing Windows Server 2012 UI
Windows' Administrative Tools
The Windows shut-down option and logging out
The missing Windows Start button
Windows Server 2012 interface tour
The new user interface in Windows Server 2012 seems scary, but it's easier to use than it looks. These are some of the best ways to work with it.Continue Reading
Windows Server 2012 (WS 2012)
Windows Server 2012, formerly codenamed Windows Server 8, is the latest version of Windows Server.Continue Reading
Test your Windows Server 2012 knowledge
How much do you know about Windows Server 2012, Microsoft's latest enhancement to its server product? Take our quick quiz.Continue Reading
Top 10 Microsoft Hyper-V tools to consider
When it comes to improving Hyper-V performance, Microsoft and third parties provide many useful tools. Here are 10 to pay attention to.Continue Reading
Exchange 2010 auditing tools to track admin, end-user behavior
Compliance rules make tracking admin and email users a necessary evil. Thankfully, audit logging tools in Exchange 2010 can help.Continue Reading
Using RamMap and VMMap Tools to Troubleshoot Windows Memory Issues
Even a veteran system admin can be challenged when investigating Windows memory issues. The free RamMap and VMMap tools remove much of the guesswork.Continue Reading
Studs and duds in the Windows Server 2008 R2 feature set
R2 made a feature-savvy entrance when it was released almost two years ago, but not every enhancement has lived up to the hype.Continue Reading
A closer look at the Ntdsutil command-line tools for Active Directory
Dig into the slew of Ntdsutil commands in Windows Server 2008 and R2 that provide admins with improved Active Directory management.Continue Reading
Top iPhone apps for Windows admins: iPowerShell
This free Windows app gives admins PowerShell 2.0 knowledge straight from their iPhones. It includes advanced search capabilities and detailed cmdlet information.Continue Reading
Ten cool iPhone apps for Windows admins
Are you an admin on the go? Check out some of the best iPhone apps available for Windows server and network management.Continue Reading
Quest Authentication Services
Quest Authentication Services allows organizations to extend Active Directory (AD) to Unix, Linux and Mac platforms and enterprise applications. It enables the unification of identities and directories for simplified identity and access management.Continue Reading
Creating a SharePoint site map using out-of-the-box features
Giving SharePoint site owners the power to manage their own part of the SharePoint site map frees up administrators to manage more critical areas of the SharePoint environment.Continue Reading
How to get process information with Windows PowerShell
In this column, Christa Anderson explains how to use Windows PowerShell's get-process cmdlet to retrieve information about the processes on your computer and how to kill the unnecessary ones.Continue Reading
Distributed File System feature prioritizes target servers in Active Directory
DFS target prioritization is a helpful feature that has slipped under the radar for some IT admins. Directory services expert Gary Olsen breaks down how to use (and not use) this tool to its full effectiveness.Continue Reading
Filtering output from Windows PowerShell
With PowerShell, it's pretty simple to browse Windows Management Instrumentation classes without cheating by filtering the content -- all it takes is a new cmdlet and working with variables.Continue Reading
An overview of Microsoft Outlook email security features
In the following tip from "8 tips in 8 minutes: A Microsoft Outlook email security tutorial," you'll gain an in-depth overview of Microsoft Outlook's email security features including security zone changes, the Outlook security update, S/MIME ...Continue Reading
Third-party email archiving tool helps Microsoft Outlook's AutoArchive
If you have any experience with Microsoft Outlook's AutoArchive feature, you know that it doesn't always work as intended. Learn about a third-party email archiving software program called ArchiveAssist that alleviates Microsoft Outlook's ...Continue Reading
Memory leaks: Determine an application's CPU consumption
The same symptoms for a memory leak can be caused by a poorly written application that consumes an excessive amount of CPU time. Here's how to determine how much CPU time an individual application is using.Continue Reading