Upgrading the existing operating system

• Enabling servers with volume license activation
• Updating and maximizing security with WSUS

Leveraging the multi-server Server Manager

• Installing roles/features with the Dashboard
• Setting up Windows Server Core

Performing administrative tasks with PowerShell

• Simplifying script design with Intellisense
• Investigating PowerShell Web Access

Constructing the Active Directory (AD)
Active Directory infrastructure components

• Organizing with forests, domains and sites
• Raising domain and forest functional levels
• Locating and transferring Flexible Single-Master Operation (FSMO) roles

Migrating existing domains to Windows Server 2012

• Building Domain Controllers (DCs) to host the AD
• Configuring DNS and managing DC Replication

Creating objects with the GUI and PowerShell

• Simplifying administration with group nesting
• Generating users, groups and OUs with PowerShell
• Analyzing the AD with the Administrative Center

Protecting Disk and File System Resources
Backing up, restoring and organizing disks

• Enabling disaster recovery with Windows Server Backup
• Maximizing protection with cloud-based Online Backup
• Increasing resilience with storage pools and spaces
• Optimizing disk space with Data Deduplication
• Creating and deploying VHD and VHDX virtual disks

Defining security on files and folders

• Adjusting User Account Control notification levels
• Limiting access with custom Access Control Lists (ACLs)
• Auditing file system objects for specific troubleshooting
• Specifying claims and tags for Dynamic Access Control

Managing and Troubleshooting Servers
Exploiting administrative tools and applets

• Action Center
• Task Scheduler
• Performance Alerts
• iSCSI initiator and target
• Configuring the Windows Firewall for remote access

Measuring reliability and analyzing performance

• Producing diagnostic reports with Data Collector Sets
• Determining recurrent issues with Reliability Monitor
• Fixing startup problems with the Recovery Environment

Setting Up Network Components
Establishing network settings

• Connecting servers with IPv4 and IPv6 protocols
• Leveraging the Network and Sharing Center

Ensuring network resource availability

• Recovering files with Shadow Copies
• Improving WAN performance with BranchCache
• Implementing the File Server Resource Manager (FSRM)

Administering the Active Directory
Assigning administrative rights

• Analyzing results from the Best Practices Analyzer (BPA)
• Delegating control for seamless administration

Deploying Group Policies for central management

• Contrasting computer/user policies and preferences
• Locking down the desktop with administrative templates

Virtualizing Servers with Hyper-V
Managing virtual machines (VMs)

• Creating virtual machines, switches and other hardware
• Organizing VM snapshots for easy rollback and recovery

Minimizing downtime with replication

• Setting up a replica server for dynamic replication
• Preparing the infrastructure for the cloud

Remote Desktop Services and Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI)

• Implementing session-based desktop deployment
• Configuring Web Access for RemoteApp programs
• Comparing pooled vs. personalized desktop collections