Chapter 1
What’s New in Windows Server 2012 R2
Windows Server 2012 R2 has over 300 new features, and it’s the first Microsoft Server OS that has connectivity with the cloud. Explaining all of those features would take much more than a chapter (which is, of course, why we wrote a book!), but let’s use these first few pages to give you the lay of the land. Now, we realize that some reading this book are just getting started with Windows Server, and so for them, everything is new, but many others of you reading this already know tons about Windows networking and would just like a summary of what’s new in Server—this chapter summarizes that and where to find it in the book.
By now, we’ve sat through about a zillion Microsoft presentations on Windows Server, and they all start the same way, so apparently we’re required by law (or at least by custom) to present the following as the first heading when doing an overview.
In this chapter, you’ll learn about:
- The dramatic changes to the user interface
- New Active Directory features enhancing deployment and manageability
- Improvements to PowerShell
- New technology added to Hyper-V
- Enhancements to Windows networking, making it faster and more secure
- The new management tools
- The important features of IIS 8.0
Windows Server 2012 R2 Introduction
Well, with a slogan like, “Built from the cloud up,” it doesn’t take a mental heavyweight to figure out what was intended with Windows Server 2012 R2. So what is cloud technology? In a nutshell, it’s the practice of using a network of remote servers to store, manage, and process data, rather than a local server. Windows Server 2012 R2 extends these technologies to corporations to be used in the same way for their employees. All corporate data using either virtual machines or individual workstations can be backed up directly to the cloud either on or off site. Cloud technologies are the driving force for the way the world conducts business today and in the near future.
From small business to some of the largest datacenters in the world, Windows Server 2012 R2 is one hot ticket. With virtually hundreds of new features from virtualization, networking, storage, usability, and much more, Windows Server 2012 R2 will not disappoint. The more we use it, the more we like it, and we think you will too!
The following sections offer a brief overview of what’s new in this book and where to read more about those features.
Because this is an introductory chapter, all of the topics covered here will be talked about in depth elsewhere in the book.
Windows Server Editions
When Windows Server 2012 was released, you had the choice between Standard and Datacenter editions in both the Server Core and GUI versions. With the release of Windows Server 2012 R2, you have two more editions to choose from: Foundation and Essentials. Not only does each version have different features, but the price for each license reflects each version’s features. Let’s discuss the differences among all the editions.
Standard Edition
This is the enterprise-class cloud server and is the flagship OS. This chapter will cover in detail the changes affecting the Standard edition, because this is the most popular choice. This server is feature rich and will handle just about all your general networking needs. This server can be used for multipurpose or individual roles. It can be stripped down to its core for an even more secure and better-performing workhorse.
Datacenter Edition
This is Microsoft’s “heavy-duty” virtualization server version. This is best used in highly virtualized environments because it sports unlimited virtual instance rights. That’s right, I said unlimited! This is really the only difference between Datacenter and Standard, and of course this is reflected in the price; Datacenter costs about four times as much as Standard edition.
Foundation Edition
Foundation contains most core features found in the other editions, but there are some important limitations you should understand before you deploy it. Active Directory certificate service roles are limited to only certificate authorities. Here are some other limitations:
- The maximum number of users is 15.
- The maximum number of Server Message Block (SMB) connections is 30.
- The maximum number of Routing and Remote Access (RRAS) connections is 50.
- The maximum number of Internet Authentication Service (IAS) connections is 10.
- The maximum number of Remote Desktop Services (RDS) Gateway connections is 50.
- Only one CPU socket is allowed.
- It cannot host virtual machines or be used as a guest virtual machine.
Essentials Edition
This server is intended for very small companies with fewer than 25 users and 50 devices. This is a very cost-effective way to provide small business networking. Here are some but not all new features of Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials:
- Improved client deployment
- Can be installed as virtual machine or on a server
- User group management
- Improved file history
- Includes BranchCache
- Uses the dashboard to manage mobile devices
- Includes System Restore
Desktop Changes
In Windows Server 2012, Microsoft removed the Start button from the lower left. In R2 the Start button has been put back so you can access your application menu. You can still hit the Windows key to access your menu if you’ve already gotten used to using it. If you’re not familiar with where the Windows key is, it’s to the left of the left Alt key on a standard keyboard. There is also a hotspot in the lower-right corner, which brings up a vertical menu bar. This dynamic menu contains these buttons: the Start menu, the Desktop settings, and Explorer search.
The new look and feel will take a bit of getting used to, but we think you will like the new UI changes. Server Manager has had a major overhaul also and grabs your attention with its colorful display warnings on the dashboard when a problem exists.
One user-requested feature that Server lacked was the ability to switch from the GUI version to Server Core. Often times requirements change that may require you to change over to Server Core. Previously you would have had to do a complete reinstall of Server Core. An administrator now has the ability to convert from the GUI version to Server Core and vice versa.
You can read more about this throughout the book starting in Chapter 2, “Installing and Upgrading to Windows Server 2012 R2.”
Active Directory Changes
As you may know, Active Directory (AD) is in many ways the keystone piece of Windows networking, in other words, the central database of user and machine authentication data. Server 2012 R2 ADs include several useful new capabilities for Active Directory Certificate Services, Active Directory Rights Management Services, and Active Directory Domain Services. Collectively, the new features focus on deployment and manageability. The plan is to make it fast and easy to deploy Active Directory services and to have more flexibility accessing files while having better file security. Administration has also improved to make graphical and scripted management more consistent and user friendly.
You can read more about this in Chapter 7, “Active Directory in Windows Server 2012 R2.”
Active Directory Domain Services Changes
Microsoft is always striving to make Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS) a more robust directory structure service. In the following sections we will explain what has been improved pertaining to Active Directory Domain Services.
Cloning Domain Controllers
Windows Server 2012 R2 gives you the ability to clone an existing domain controller to speed up deployment. Using the domain controller interface in Server Manager, you can promote a single virtual domain controller. You may then, within the same domain, deploy additional virtual domain controllers.
Cloning will reduce the number of repetitive steps in the deployment process. It will also let you deploy additional domain controllers config...
