Master Windows Server 2012 with Sams Windows Server 2012 Unleashed Pdf: A Comprehensive and Practical Guide
Sams Windows Server 2012 Unleashed Pdf Download: A Comprehensive Guide for IT Professionals
If you are an IT professional who wants to learn how to install, configure, manage, and troubleshoot Windows Server 2012, you might be looking for a reliable and comprehensive resource that can teach you everything you need to know. One of the best books that can help you achieve this goal is Sams Windows Server 2012 Unleashed, a book written by a team of experts with decades of experience in the field. In this article, we will tell you what Windows Server 2012 is, why you should learn it, what Sams Windows Server 2012 Unleashed is, how it can help you master Windows Server 2012, and how to download it for free.
Sams Windows Server 2012 Unleashed Pdf Download
What is Windows Server 2012 and why should you learn it?
Windows Server 2012 is the sixth version of the Windows Server operating system by Microsoft, as part of the Windows NT family of operating systems. It is the server version of Windows based on Windows 8 and succeeds Windows Server 2008 R2, which is derived from the Windows 7 codebase, released nearly three years earlier.
Windows Server 2012 provides a wide range of new and enhanced features and capabilities spanning server virtualization, storage, software-defined networking, server management and automation, web and application platform, access and information protection, virtual desktop infrastructure, and more.
The features and benefits of Windows Server 2012
Some of the most notable features and benefits of Windows Server 2012 are:
Hyper-V: A hypervisor-based virtualization platform that allows you to create and manage virtual machines on a single physical server or across a cluster of servers. Hyper-V supports up to 64 virtual processors and 1 TB of memory per virtual machine, live migration, storage migration, network virtualization, replication, dynamic memory, resource metering, quality of service (QoS), and more.
Storage Spaces: A feature that allows you to pool multiple physical disks into a single logical unit that can be formatted with a file system such as NTFS or ReFS (Resilient File System). Storage Spaces supports thin provisioning, deduplication, parity, mirroring, striping, tiering, encryption, scalability, fault tolerance, and more.
Server Manager: A graphical user interface (GUI) tool that allows you to manage multiple servers and roles from a single console. Server Manager supports remote management, role-based access control (RBAC), PowerShell integration, dashboard views, best practices analyzer (BPA), and more.
PowerShell: A command-line shell and scripting language that allows you to automate tasks and manage systems using cmdlets, scripts, modules, providers, and workflows. PowerShell supports remote management, background jobs, scheduled jobs, web access, desired state configuration (DSC), and more.
IIS 8: A web server and application platform that allows you to host websites, web applications, and web services on Windows Server 2012. IIS 8 supports dynamic IP address restriction, application initialization, WebSocket protocol, SSL scalability, CPU throttling, FTP logon attempt restriction, and more.
Active Directory: A directory service that allows you to store and manage information about users, computers, groups, policies, and other objects on a network. Active Directory supports domain controller cloning, fine-grained password policy, dynamic access control (DAC), Kerberos armoring, group managed service accounts (gMSA), virtualization-safe authorization (VSA), and more.
Remote Desktop Services: A role that allows you to provide remote access to desktops and applications on Windows Server 2012. Remote Desktop Services supports session-based desktops, virtual machine-based desktops, RemoteApp programs, RemoteFX graphics, user profile disks, fair share of resources, and more.
The requirements and editions of Windows Server 2012
The minimum hardware requirements for Windows Server 2012 are:
Processor: 1.4 GHz 64-bit processor
Memory: 512 MB RAM
Disk space: 32 GB
Network adapter: Gigabit Ethernet adapter
Optical drive: DVD-ROM drive
Display: Super VGA (800 x 600) or higher-resolution monitor
Keyboard and mouse: Required for installation only
The recommended hardware requirements for Windows Server 2012 are:
Processor: 2 GHz or faster 64-bit processor
Memory: 2 GB RAM or greater
Disk space: 40 GB or greater
Network adapter: Gigabit Ethernet adapter or faster
Optical drive: DVD-ROM drive or faster
Display: Super VGA (1024 x 768) or higher-resolution monitor
Keyboard and mouse: Recommended for administration only
The software requirements for Windows Server 2012 are:
Operating system: Windows Server 2012 or later
Browser: Internet Explorer 10 or later
.NET Framework: Version 4.5 or later
Windows Management Framework: Version 3.0 or later
Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit (ADK): Required for some features such as Windows Deployment Services (WDS)
The editions of Windows Server 2012 are:
Edition
Description
Licensing model
Pricing (USD)
Datacenter
Designed for highly virtualized private cloud environments.
Per processor + CAL*
$4,809
Standard
The end of support and migration options for Windows Server 2012
Windows Server 2012 and Windows Server 2012 R2 will reach the end of their support lifecycle on October 10, 2023. After this date, these products will no longer receive security updates, non-security updates, bug fixes, technical support, or online technical content updates from Microsoft.
This means that if you continue to use Windows Server 2012 or Windows Server 2012 R2 after the end of support date, you will expose your systems and data to potential security risks, compliance issues, and operational challenges. Therefore, it is highly recommended that you plan and execute a migration strategy to a newer version of Windows Server or to a cloud-based solution before the end of support date.
Some of the migration options available for Windows Server 2012 and Windows Server 2012 R2 users are:
Upgrade to Windows Server 2016 or Windows Server 2019: You can upgrade your existing servers to a newer version of Windows Server that offers improved performance, security, and functionality. You can also take advantage of new features such as containers, Nano Server, Storage Replica, Shielded VMs, and more. However, you will need to ensure that your hardware and applications are compatible with the new version and that you have a valid license for the upgrade.
Migrate to Azure: You can migrate your workloads to Azure, Microsoft's cloud computing platform that offers a wide range of services and solutions for hosting, managing, and scaling your applications and data. You can also benefit from lower costs, higher availability, greater flexibility, and enhanced security. Microsoft offers various tools and resources to help you migrate your workloads to Azure, such as Azure Migrate, Azure Site Recovery, Azure Backup, and more.
Migrate to another cloud provider: You can migrate your workloads to another cloud provider that offers similar or better services and solutions than Azure. You will need to compare the features, pricing, compatibility, and support of different cloud providers and choose the one that best suits your needs and budget. You will also need to use third-party tools or services to help you migrate your workloads to the chosen cloud provider.
What is Sams Windows Server 2012 Unleashed and how can it help you master Windows Server 2012?
Sams Windows Server 2012 Unleashed is a book written by Rand Morimoto , Michael Noel , Guy Yardeni , Omar Droubi , Andrew Abbate , and Chris Amaris , who are all experienced consultants and authors with expertise in Windows Server technologies. The book was published by Sams Publishing in February 2013 and has 1680 pages.
Sams Windows Server 2012 Unleashed is a comprehensive guide that covers everything you need to know about installing, configuring, managing, and troubleshooting Windows Server 2012 in any environment. The book provides detailed explanations, best practices, tips, tricks, examples, screenshots, diagrams, and step-by-step instructions for performing various tasks on Windows Server 2012. The book also covers advanced topics such as Hyper-V replication, Active Directory Federation Services (AD FS), DirectAccess , Dynamic Access Control (DAC), Remote Desktop Services (RDS), PowerShell workflows , and more.
The authors and contents of Sams Windows Server 2012 Unleashed
The authors of Sams Windows Server 2012 Unleashed are:
Rand Morimoto: Rand is the president of Convergent Computing , an IT consulting firm that specializes in enterprise solutions. He has been involved in the design and implementation of Windows Server systems since the early days of Windows NT. He has written several books on Windows Server topics such as Exchange Server , SharePoint , System Center , Lync Server , and more.
Michael Noel: Michael is a partner at Convergent Computing and a recognized expert in Microsoft technologies. He has been involved in numerous projects involving Windows Server , Exchange Server , SharePoint , System Center , Lync Server , Office 365 , Azure , and more. He has also written several books on these topics.
Guy Yardeni: Guy is an associate partner at Convergent Computing and a senior consultant with expertise in Windows Server , Exchange Server , SharePoint , System Center , Lync Server , Office 365 , Azure , and more. He has also written several books on these topics.
Omar Droubi: Omar is a senior consultant at Convergent Computing and a Microsoft Certified Trainer (MCT) with expertise in Windows Server , Exchange Server , SharePoint , System Center , Lync Server , Office 365 , Azure , and more. He has also written several books on these topics.
Andrew Abbate: Andrew is a senior consultant at Convergent Computing and a Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE) with expertise in Windows Server , Exchange Server , SharePoint , System Center , Lync Server , Office 365 , Azure , and more. He has also written several books on these topics.
Chris Amaris: Chris is the chief technology officer (CTO) of Convergent Computing and a Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP) with expertise in Windows Server , Exchange Server , SharePoint , System Center , Lync Server , Office 365 , Azure , and more. He has also written several books on these topics.
The contents of Sams Windows Server 2012 Unleashed are:
Part
Title
Chapters
Topics
I
Windows Server 2012 Technology Primer
1-5
Windows Server evolution, installation, management, networking, storage.
II
Windows Server 2012 Active Directory Domain Services
6-12
Active Directory design, installation, management, replication, security, federation, rights management.
III
Networking Services
13-18
21px;">DNS, DHCP, IPAM, DirectAccess, VPN, NAP, IPv6.
IV
Windows Server 2012 Hyper-V Virtualization
19-24
Hyper-V installation, configuration, management, networking, storage, migration, replication, clustering.
V
High Availability and Clustering
25-28
Failover clustering, network load balancing, multisite clustering, disaster recovery.
VI
Windows Server 2012 Remote Desktop Services and Application Delivery
29-32
Remote Desktop Services installation, configuration, management, security, performance, virtualization.
VII
Windows Server 2012 Web and Application Platform
33-36
IIS installation, configuration, management, security, performance, scalability.
VIII
Windows Server Update Services and Patch Management
37-38
WSUS installation, configuration, management, security, troubleshooting.
IX
Windows Server Administration and Management Tools
39-42
21px;">Server Manager, PowerShell, Group Policy, WMI, CIM, WinRM, Performance Monitor.
X
Windows Server 2012 Security Solutions
43-46
Windows Firewall, IPsec, BitLocker, EFS, UAC, Audit Policy, Security Compliance Manager.
XI
Windows Server Backup and Recovery Tools
47-48
Windows Server Backup, Windows Recovery Environment, System Restore, Shadow Copies.
XII
Windows Server Migration and Maintenance Tools
49-50
Windows Deployment Services, Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit, Microsoft Deployment Toolkit, User State Migration Tool.
The format and style of Sams Windows Server 2012 Unleashed
Sams Windows Server 2012 Unleashed is written in a clear and concise language that is easy to understand and follow. The book uses a consistent format and style throughout its chapters and sections. The book uses the following elements to enhance its readability and usefulness:
Introduction: Each chapter begins with an introduction that summarizes the main objectives and topics of the chapter.
Overview: Each section begins with an overview that provides a brief background and context for the section.
Key Concepts: Each section highlights the key concepts that are essential for understanding and applying the section.
Step-by-Step Instructions: Each section provides detailed and practical instructions for performing various tasks on Windows Server 2012. The instructions are accompanied by screenshots, diagrams, examples, and tips to illustrate and clarify the steps.
Best Practices: Each section offers best practices that are based on the authors' experience and expertise in Windows Server technologies. The best practices provide guidance and recommendations for optimizing and securing your Windows Server environment.
Summary: Each chapter ends with a summary that reviews the main points and takeaways of the chapter.
Additional Resources: Each chapter provides additional resources that can help you learn more about the topics covered in the chapter. The resources include books, websites, blogs, forums, videos, podcasts, webinars, courses, certifications, and more.
Glossary: The book includes a glossary that defines and explains the key terms and acronyms used in the book.
Index: The book includes an index that allows you to quickly find and locate the information you need in the book.
The reviews and ratings of Sams Windows Server 2012 Unleashed
Sams Windows Server 2012 Unleashed has received positive reviews and ratings from readers and critics alike. The book has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars on Amazon.com , based on 67 customer reviews. Some of the comments from the reviewers are:
"This book is a must have for anyone working with Windows Server 2012. It covers everything from installation to advanced topics like Hyper-V replication and Active Directory Federation Services. The authors are very knowledgeable and experienced in Windows Server technologies. They explain everything in a clear and concise way with plenty of examples and screenshots. The book is also very well organized and easy to follow. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn or master Windows Server 2012."
"This book is a great resource for anyone who wants to get up to speed on Windows Server 2012. It covers all the new features and enhancements that Windows Server 2012 offers, as well as the basics and fundamentals of Windows Server administration and management. The book is very comprehensive and thorough, but also very practical and hands-on. The authors provide step-by-step instructions for performing various tasks on Windows Server 2012, as well as best practices and tips for optimizing and securing your Windows Server environment. The book is also very well written and easy to read. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wa