windows server 2012

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  1. Posts : 196
    Windows 7 Professional / Windows 8 Pro
       #1

    windows server 2012


    Hi all,

    I've just purchased a HP micro server (£100 cashback deal) as want to learn windows server 2012 and also look to setup a home server.

    can anyone recommend or point me in the direction of books, videos on where i can learn about installation / setup and maintaining a server setup for either home and in a business environment?

    Many Thanks
    andrew
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 2,298
    Windows 7 Professional x64 SP1 ; Windows Server 2012 R2 Standard
       #2

    ascomputers said:
    Hi all,

    I've just purchased a HP micro server (£100 cashback deal) as want to learn windows server 2012 and also look to setup a home server.

    can anyone recommend or point me in the direction of books, videos on where i can learn about installation / setup and maintaining a server setup for either home and in a business environment?

    Many Thanks
    andrew
    What version of server 2012 do you have? Also what client operating systems do you have? Windows 7 Home premium, professional, ultimate?

    This can affect what services you can offer to clients.

    Josh :)
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  3. Posts : 196
    Windows 7 Professional / Windows 8 Pro
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Hi Shadowjk. I don't have any copy of server 2012 at the moment. I was going to download the 3months evaluation pack from the Microsoft website but wanted to ensure I had all the books etc before I started.

    we are all running windows 7 and 8 pro in the house in order that we can back up to a network drive. I believe I am correct in stating that this is not an option on the home premium.
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  4. Posts : 196
    Windows 7 Professional / Windows 8 Pro
    Thread Starter
       #4

    I was going to look at home server OEM Microsoft Windows Home Server 2011 64bit - CCQ-00128 - CCL Computers but was informed that support was being pulled on this and wasn't sure how much it would help me learn servers aspects for business.
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  5. Posts : 2,298
    Windows 7 Professional x64 SP1 ; Windows Server 2012 R2 Standard
       #5

    If you wish to do a domain environment (I strongly advise!) then you will need Windows Server 2012 Standard or Data-center. You will also require Windows 7 Professional and higher or Windows 8 Pro/Enterprise in order to successfully join the domain. This way you can setup a single user that can you can log on to on any machine with.

    A home server may be good however yes it is losing support and isn't used by businesses at all. That being said for home server tasks it seems alright. I personally would be more inclined in trying to get Windows Server 2012 essentials since it offers many storage features of the full version. Microsoft | Windows Server 2012 Essentials | Windows Small Business Server Next Version

    To get into the real business functions you will need at least Server 2012 standard or above however they can be costly.

    For books, I have Server 2012 unleashed which I feel is great for finding out about everything. If you are going for the essentials option then you may not be able to do some content. It also goes into depth about best business practices

    http://www.amazon.co.uk/Windows-Serv.../dp/0672336227

    Hope This Helps,
    Josh :)
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  6. Posts : 196
    Windows 7 Professional / Windows 8 Pro
    Thread Starter
       #6

    that's great... really appreciate that. will look to purchase the book in the first instance before starting the 3 month trial.

    I read the other day that they are simplifying the options for windows server 2012 into 4 categories.

    foundation, essentials, standard and data centre.

    what's the difference between 2012 and 2011. would you recommend 2011 to buy?

    sorry for all the questions but its such a costly project or area of work to get into unless you are using the product on a day to day basis from a work place.
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  7. Posts : 2,298
    Windows 7 Professional x64 SP1 ; Windows Server 2012 R2 Standard
       #7

    ascomputers said:
    that's great... really appreciate that. will look to purchase the book in the first instance before starting the 3 month trial.

    I read the other day that they are simplifying the options for windows server 2012 into 4 categories.

    foundation, essentials, standard and data centre.

    what's the difference between 2012 and 2011. would you recommend 2011 to buy?

    sorry for all the questions but its such a costly project or area of work to get into unless you are using the product on a day to day basis from a work place.
    Yep, four categories.

    The 2012 editions were designed for organisations while the 2011 editions were for the SOHO (Small Office Home Office) environment. The only reason I suggest the 2012 line is because you wanted to get into business operations on servers. If you wish you can get 2011 or 2012 foundation and then just practice and develop your skills on a separate machine or dual boot with the 2012 evaluation copy.

    Josh :)
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 196
    Windows 7 Professional / Windows 8 Pro
    Thread Starter
       #8

    purchased the book last night. :)

    yes I want to move into the business operations side of work so will take this on board and look at 2012.

    just one more question. if I purchase foundation to start with can you upgrade to essentials and then standard as your business develops and grows.?
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  9. Posts : 5,941
    Linux CENTOS 7 / various Windows OS'es and servers
       #9

    ascomputers said:
    Hi all,

    I've just purchased a HP micro server (£100 cashback deal) as want to learn windows server 2012 and also look to setup a home server.

    can anyone recommend or point me in the direction of books, videos on where i can learn about installation / setup and maintaining a server setup for either home and in a business environment?

    Many Thanks
    andrew
    Hi there
    If you are a TechNet member you can download a copy of W2012 server -- but not to worry if you aren't as you can download a FREE "Test drive" version.

    My suggestion would be to set the server up to run as a "Virtual machine" - that way you can get the server up and running quickly without having to hunt all over the internet for possible drivers etc.

    Use VMWARE as you can set the server to run "In the background" which means you can log on to it from another machine - say a laptop without you having to logon to the host.

    Try and just logon to the server first before doing any of the server "Geeky" stuff.

    With Server 2012 you get 3 choices for the GUI - a total command line, a minimal desktop, and a "Windows 8" type of full desktop.

    My advice in the beginning (I know real "Server I.T types" will probably shudder at the thought) would be to go for the full windows 8 GUI - it's easier to mess around with until you understand the command line etc - and it's easier to install programs / applications on it too.

    This is the advantage of using a VM - you can try out all sorts of possibilities.

    Try sharing a few files and a printer first to get a bit of idea about managing a server and in the beginning while testing and learning try and remove a lot of the "Nag" messages.

    To start with I'd try and use it as a "Desktop" OS - even though it's on a VM

    Desktop Experience « Convert your Windows Server 2012 to a Workstation!

    Once you've got the hang of the server then you can start doing all the "Geeky" stuff like managing domains etc etc.

    Using the server as a VM gives you the maximum flexibility - and if you hose it all up just kill that VM and create another one. !!!

    Don't forget the first time you power on the server VM you will need to install VMWARE TOOLS (from the VM menu) - this will fix things like proper mouse control, video resolution etc.

    Note Audio works in W2012, but there was a problem in playing VIDEO (flash) files - this might not have been fixed but video playing on a server IMO isn't really important anyway. (You can STREAM video FROM a server though).

    Get the trial from here

    Microsoft | Windows Server 2012 | Trial

    note also VMware player is FREE too.

    (You can get a preview copy of W8 (lasts into 2014) to install as the HOST OS on your server box so you can install the SERVER as a Virtual machine. Otherwise use Windows 7 as the HOST OS).

    Installing W2012 as a HOST means you have to go through the whole kybosh every time you hose something up (and on a server it's easy to do). I really would recommend the VM option.

    Another option as a host is VMWARE's ESXI (free) but it's a bit fiddly to set up and you will need a separate machine for connecting and controlling the W2012 server. If you CAN make that work though IMO it's a great idea.

    http://www.vmware.com/products/vsphere-hypervisor/

    (Windows 8 also has a HYPERVISOR in it - you can't run that AND VMware - so you have to select one or the other - in the control panel use Windows features - and don't install VMWARE or VBOX software. There are posts on W8 Forum about using HYPER-V for setting up VM's on W8)

    Have fun

    Cheers
    jimbo
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  10. Posts : 196
    Windows 7 Professional / Windows 8 Pro
    Thread Starter
       #10

    cheers Jimbo45.

    waiting on delivery of 2 x 2TB hard drives which should be here on Monday then going to get started.

    do you have any links for VMWARE? don't know much about it to be honest.

    this is turning out to be a massive subject area... :)
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