Window Server 2012 - Research Proposal Example

Window Server 2012 Network Proposal 1. Introduction The present report intends to put forward a Windows Server deployment proposal as an Information Technology consultant for Shiv LLC. The company is primarily involved in the manufacturing and distribution of solar panel for the consumer market. The company has been operating within three locations namely Los Angeles, Dallas and Houston and is planning to undergo fast expansion by taking into consideration the increasing demand of their solar panel product. Moreover, the company has got a systematic setup of all their technological gadget requirements such as wide area network (WAN) and data carrying bandwidth, all of which can be considered necessary for maintaining an appropriate communication between their operational facilities. Accordingly, in order to improve the effectiveness of the communication procedure and secure the integrity of the brand image along with the operational data, the company wants to implement the concept of Windows Server 2012 within all aspects of their data protection and communication setup. Thus, this proposal will mostly remain focused towards understanding the aspect regarding how Windows Server 2012 can be implemented within the areas of active directory, group policy setup, domain naming system (DNS), file services, remote services and windows server update services (WSUS) in order to reinforce the functionality of Shiv LLC. 2. Discussion 2.1. Active Directory The concept of domain model demarcates the availability of usable networking resources that remain stored within multiple server machines in a network setup. The users just have to log in within the domain system through a specific id and password after which they can attain access to the stored data and other resources in an appropriate manner. Moreover, different domain models have been created by Microsoft that finds applicability to a platform depending on the version of server operating system installed within it. Since in the case of Shiv LLC the considered version of server operating system is Windows Server 2012, thus two specific categories of domain models can be found applicable in this context. The first model is the’ Single Domain Model’ and the second one is the ‘Regional Domain Model’. The diagrammatic representation provided below will help in gaining a lucid comprehension about the concepts of these two models in an appropriate manner. Single Domain Model Figure 1: Single Domain Model The single domain model can be found applicable for small business organizations where the number of users along with the resource sharing necessity is low. Moreover, this model is applicable to the network setups having lower bandwidth due to the fact that the data replication process for this model is quite low. Users can easily log on to the domain system and can easily access the shred resources that remain stored within the main domain server platform (Microsofte, 2014). Regional Domain Model Figure 2: Regional Domain Model The regional domain model can also be considered as the integrated form of the single domain model. This domain model is essentially applicable for organizations which have got multiple offices within separate regional areas. These types of domains require greater bandwidth as compared to the single domain model. Moreover, this type of model is highly effective in terms of reducing the load of replication traffic over the WAN network. This model also supports the concept of data isolation which might be effective for the three separate offices of Shiv LLC in order to avoid data complexities and risk of departmental data mix and match (Microsoftf, 2012). Consequently, by understanding the advantages and disadvantages of both the domain models, Shiv LLC can be suggested to implement the regional domain model instead of the single domain model which will help them in managing their operations and stored data in a systematic manner. The domain names for each of the regional offices have been mentioned in the diagram provided above. Figure 3: Location of Main domain Controller in Red Box Besides, by taking into consideration the provided fact that the main staffs of Shiv LLC are located within the Houston and Dallas branch along with the sales team only being confined to the LA branch which requires remote access to the Houston branch, it can be suggested that the main domain controller needs to be placed within the Houston branch. Additionally, it is also suggestible that Shiv LLC should implement the ‘Read-only Domain Controller (RODC)’ concept within their system which will give them the option of placing active directory domain database replicas within each of their regional forest roots for the purpose of being accessed by the users. Furthermore, in case of any data damage, the RODC can also be used to control the spreading of the corrupt data replicas on other regional forests as well (Savill, 2008). Apart from the above considerations, it is also suggested that since the workload within the regional offices of Shiv LLC might increase in the coming future by taking their expansion plan into consideration, they must also establish the ‘Flexible Single Master Operations (FSMO)’ within their system which will gradually help in effectively regulating the data updating, deletion and all other functions of the related domain controllers. In simple words, it will be like a parent system to all the domain controlling systems (Zoho Corporation Pvt. Ltd., 2014.). Figure 4: Flexible Single Master Operations (FSMO) Diagram Since Shiv LLC does not want to get into any sort of compromise regarding the integrity and safeguard of their organizational data and their brand image, thus they need to plan regarding utilizing the distributive architectural nature of the active directories (AD) in order to recover and backup their data in the situation of natural calamity or domain controller malfunction. They can use the virtual directory cloning feature of Windows Server 2012 for recovering the last auto saved data configuration from the domain controllers that have sustained damage (Pentonb, 2014). 2.2. Group Policy It will be an added advantage for Shiv LLC to implement the concept of group policy within their server system. This is due to the fact that through the structuring of appropriate group policy, the organization can effectively regulate the procedure of backing up and recovering their organizational data in order to prevent unauthorized upgradation and access to the restricted data that might put the brand’s image at risk. Besides, the settings within the group policy must contain attributes regarding the regulation of the connected regional domain controllers along with allowing the Los Angeles to exchange and access necessary data from the main Houston branch. Moreover, the information regarding recovery procedure of damaged data from the regional servers in case of any hardware malfunctioning will also have to be mentioned within the group policy (Microsoftg, 2011). 2.3. Domain Name System (DNS) In the context of attaining a domain namespace, the organization can be categorized within one specific domain name i.e. www.ShivLLC.com. Moreover, for Shiv LLC, both the primary and the secondary domain zones will be required for categorizing the hierarchy (Microsoftd, 2014). Figure 5: DNS Namespace 2.4 File Services Since high level of privacy and security is needed to be maintained in relation to online sharing of data, so in case of Shiv LLC, the concept of virtual private network (VPN) tunnelling can be suggested for effectively maintaining the security of the shared data. Through the tunneling process, the data to be transmitted can be encapsulated into certain encrypted form and embedded in the carrier protocol before transmission and at the receiver side, the data can be appropriately decoded (Made In Malta, 2013). Moreover, the suggestion of quota implementation can also be made for Shiv LLC due to the fact that the volume of daily operational and accessible data can be large and thus a restriction factor will have to be implemented regarding the amount of space being consumed on the server platform (Lynn, 2012). In the similar context, suggestion regarding configuration of the ‘File Server Resource Manager (FSRM)’ can also be done with the intention of providing ease to the server administrator with regard to appropriately classifying and managing the stored data within the server (TechTarget, 2014). Apart from all these, the DFS replication engine will also have to be implemented for keeping appropriate replicas of similar data within all the regional servers of Shiv LLC. Through this way, the network traffic load will gradually become less which in turn will further reduce the chances of system hang. Figure 6: DFS Replication Process (Microsoftc, 2009) 2.5. Remote Services The Virtual Private Network (VPN) can be suggested as an appropriate technological tool for providing remote access to the users of Shiv LLC. Generally, in this context, the sales team within the Los Angeles branch of Shiv LLC should be provided the facility of remotely accessing the data within the Dallas and Houston branches. Specifically in the case of Windows Server 2012, an appropriate setting known as the ‘Anywhere Access’ will have to be enabled so that the sales personnel within the Los Angeles branch can have the remote access to their client platforms with the network domain of the other two branches and can easily access the required data (Pentona, 2014). 2.6. Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) The Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) system can be used by the system administrators operating within the Houston branch of Shiv LLC in relation to distributing the server and the client machines, latest updates that get released by Microsoft Corporation within their network on a periodic basis. The system administrators can easily carry out this process from the management console which gets used regularly for controlling all the updating and recovery operations within the regional servers. One necessity for this updation procedure is that at least one of the WSUS servers should remain connected to the Microsoft updates for attaining the required information. All the remaining WSUS servers within the network can use that specific connected server for attaining upgrades based on the network configuration and security protocols (Microsoftb, 2012). Contrary to the server procedure, the client system updation procedure will require the structuring of appropriate group policy based on which, activities such as client system rebooting, downloading of upgrade file and installation will be carried out. If the group policy is set to ‘automatic update’ mode, all these activities will be directly carried out without prior notification to the administrator. Figure 7: WSUS Server Functioning Procedure Moreover, it is also quite easy to deploy new servers using the WSUS. The FSMO operator functioning in the Houston branch of Shiv LLC will just have to add up the host name or the internet protocol (IP) address of the new server to the group policy setting of this system and undertake a reboot. Once the system restarts, exchange of sharable resources between the FSMO system and the new server can easily take place (Microsofta, 2011). 3. Summary Based on the foregoing discussion, it can be stated that the Windows Server 2012 version of server OS has got multiple new features which can be used by Shiv LLC for reinforcing their file sharing and protection protocols. The implementation of this new version of server OS, gradually provides the system administrators of Shiv LLC, the advantage of maintaining the integrity and utility of the organizational data in a much more appropriate way. Recommendations can also be made to Shiv LLC for utilizing the DNS features in the context of providing appropriate domain names to their regional servers. Moreover, the utilization of the VPN protocols embedded within Windows Server 2012 is also recommended for Shiv LLC in terms of providing effective remote access to its sales team within the LA branch. Moreover, for the regional server updation procedure within Shiv LLC, it is also applicable that they use the WSUS server and client updation technique. References Lynn, S. (2012). Windows Server 2012: Up and Running. United States: O Reilly Media, Inc. Microsofta. (2011). Configure client updates. Retrieved from http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd939830%28v=ws.10%29.aspx Made In Malta. (2013). What is VPN Tunneling? Retrieved from https://www.ivpn.net/what-is-a-tunnel Microsoftb. (2012). Windows Server Update Services Overview. Retrieved from http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/hh852345.aspx Microsoftc. (2009). Overview of DFS replication. Retrieved from http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc771058.aspx Microsoftd. (2014). Understanding zone types. Retrieved from http://technet.microsoft.com/en-in/library/cc771898.aspx Microsofte. (2014). Reviewing the domain models. Retrieved from http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc731718(v=ws.10).aspx Microsoftf. (2012). Reviewing the domain models. Retrieved from http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc731718(v=ws.10).aspx Microsoftg. (2011). Group policy for beginners. Retrieved from http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/hh147307(v=ws.10).aspx Oracle Corporation. (2013). Introducing the DNS Namespace. Retrieved from http://docs.oracle.com/cd/E19455-01/806-1387/6jam692f3/index.html Pentona. (2014). Windows Server 2012 Essentials: Access the Server Remotely. Retrieved from http://winsupersite.com/article/windows-server/windows-server-2012-essentials-access-server-remotely-144435 Pentonb. (2014). How windows server 2012 improves active directory disaster recovery. Retrieved from http://windowsitpro.com/windows-server-2012/how-windows-server-2012-improves-active-directory-disaster-recovery Savill, J. (2008). What is a read-only domain controller (RODC)? Retrieved from http://windowsitpro.com/windows-server/q-what-read-only-domain-controller-rodc TechTarget. (2014). File Server Resource Manager (FSRM). Retrieved from http://searchwindowsserver.techtarget.com/definition/File-Server-Resource-Manager-FSRM Zoho Corporation Pvt. Ltd. (2014). FSMO Roles. Retrieved from http://www.windows-active-directory.com/active-directory-fsmo-roles.html Read More