Windows Server Deployment - Worldwide Inc - Case Study Example

Windows Server Deployment Proposal: The Case of Worldwide Inc The Case of Worldwide Inc Storage of information is one of the most crucial aspects of any organisation since it essentially forms its core. In this regard, the setting up of an effective server network can play a significant role in determining the extent to which the firm will either be successful or fail. This essay will therefore examine infrastructure server aspects including DHCP and DNS which drive the servers to the application servers which will enable the firm to bring to reality its advertising needs. The essay has set out an active directory schema that will not require much management. In addition, it also proposes a File and Sharing system that is suitable for a firm that is growing such as Worldwide Inc. New Features of Windows Server 2012 The Windows Server 2012 is characterized by a wide range of new features ranging from much improved storage, wider chances for networking and more remote access. Moreover, it is characterized by a server administration characteristics all of which come together to significantly enhance on the functionality of this operating system. Many of these features especially in the area of storage could be of distinct help to Worldwide Inc especially because it deals with advertising that requires a great deal of storage (Tulloch, 2014). Deployment and Server Edition Throughout the server’s infrastructure, Window’s Server 2012 with Hyper V will be used and will be secured using a secure tunnel since it will provide support for the work done at Worldwide Inc. Moreover, Hyper-V will present the chance for the company to take full advantage of the servers it already has while at the same time enabling it to take full advantage of the new technology on the hardware for virtualization (Tulloch, 2014). Considering the fact that when making the decision to design and select the system specifications for a new solution of a server, it is important to consider that even the most optimal requirements for the system from Microsoft might not be requisite. In this regard, an assessment of the specifications of the planned server role while at the same time taking the load during the time that the deployment will be carried out since this will also take the growth of the firm into consideration (Finn et al, 2013). The table below shows the requirements for deployment of Windows 2012. Component Minimum Requirement Recommended Maximum Processor 1.4 GHZ 64-bit 2GHZ Not an aspect to consider Memory 512MB RAM 2GB RAM 32GB RAM Standard Edition Disk space 32 GB Either 40GB Full Installation or 10GB installation of the Server Core Not Applicable There are only two editions available within Windows server 2012; Standard and Datacenter with each of the editions supporting a Server Core version. It is recommended that a new installation be carried out as opposed to upgrading on the company’s already existing server. Installing a new server has the benefit of providing a high quality serve which means that the company can avoid problems that accompany migrating which might have existed in the company’s old servers whether as a result of software that is corrupt or applications that were not properly installed (Finn et al, 2013). 40 desktops set up at both of the locations will run on Windows 7 Professional since it has a high level of alignment with the network and most especially in terms of processor count and the significantly large support for memory. Windows Server 2012 will allow the company to effectively manage its whole Windows infrastructure as one single server (Tulloch, 2014). Each computer on the network will have its own unique name and Worldwide Inc will also need to determine the name that it will give to the workgroup or domain that the server will be a part of; this can either be an already existing Windows domain or a workgroup that is formed under a new name. This will enable the company to set up a security as well as administration system that is centralized (Minasi, 2014). All the servers as well as operating systems will be set up using image files that will be transferred remotely from a master computer using Windows Deployment Services. The use of the Windows Deployment System will essentially ensure easy deployment of images from the company’s mixed environment (Tulloch, 2014). Multicasting will be essential to set up the system for transmitting both the images as well as data for the answer files which can be downloaded from the Windows website. Multicasting will also create the chance for the creation of the requisite images using the Image Capture Wizard which in turn will provide the chance for driver packages to be added on to the servers and changed to enable easier deployment with client computers as well as installing images (Stanek, 2014). DNS and DHCP A hybrid DHCP infrastructure will be implemented using relay agents in an effort to ensure that time and expense is limited. The most ideal situation would be setting up both a main as well as a backup DHCP at the company’s Los Angeles headquarters and a number of relay agents at the New York Branch (Minasi, 2014). The main DCHP administrator will therefore assign the unique IP address to other computers which might change from time to time while the DNS will help in the maintenance of records of such information as the host names and their corresponding IP addresses. Integration of the DNS with the DCHP means that the company will be at a much better position to significantly reduce on the administrative overheads. With Windows Server 2012 R2, the company can be in a position to reconfigure the DCHP server to register both A as well as PTR records with a distinct set of clients and only A records for other clients (Finn et al, 2013). Windows Server 2012 has in place an Internet Protocol Address Management tool that presents the chance for the system administrator to audit, manage and monitor both IPv4 as well as IPv6 adressesses while at the same time maintaining a comprehensive view of the instance that the IP addresses are being used within the network. Having the IPAM in place will ensure that Worldwide Inc is able to collect information that it can store in its internal database (Stanek, 2014). Active Directory At Worldwide Advertising, Active Directory Domain Services will be installed from the server manager on Windows Server 2012. The network interfaces need to be configured and a static address will be set up for the server. Because the network interface needs to be configured, the DNS server field can use the local host address can be 127.0.0.1 (Stanek, 2014). Moreover, an Active Directory Domain Controller will also be located at the Los Angeles Office and will help to set up an infrastructure that is not only scalable but also secure for management of both the user as well as company resource (Finn et al, 2013). This is because the Active Directory Domain Controller provides the distribution of a database that actively stores as well as manages information concerning resources on the network. An administrator can make use of Active Directory Domain Services will enable Worldwide Inc to organize such elements on its network as users, computers as well as other devices into a structure that can be contained(Minasi, 2014). The parent domain will use 192.168.1.1 DNS IP address which is a forest root domain. 9 departments have been set up as organisational units catering to all the employees that are working in both of the sites; Executive, IT, Sales, Finance, Accounting, HR, Users and Computers (Minasi, 2014). The Head administrator will have completed Control over the changes in permission for the users, he can also make changes on a case basis when he deems fit (Tulloch, 2014). Applications They will be based on the server through the Microsoft Systems Management Services where the terminal architecture. Aspects such as low consumption of bandwidth, easy configuration and a distinct reduction of the client requirements with regard to bandwidth make Group policy a far better option. In Windows 2012, the Group policy significantly expands on support for printers and VPN networks and also downloads the policy directly from a store which is especially helpful for Worldwide Inc since some of its computers will be off the premises (Stanek, 2014). The applications will be spread out using Web Access for intranet use which means that from each of the company’s locations, all clients will have to do is just click on to the Internet Explorer icon from any workstation as the diagram below shows (Minasi, 2014). Source: Minasi, 2014 The Web Application Proxy is unique to Windows 2012 and is a part of the Remote Access role and provides reverse proxy functionality with regard to web applications that are present within the company’s network. This provides the chance for users using any device to access these applications even while they are outside the corporate network without necessarily making use of a VPN conection (Stanek, 2014). The advantage for the company will be the fact that Active Directory in the Windows 2012 server includes aspects including user, device, location as well as data for authentication which in turn means that the domain controller has greater power to enforce more access control (Finn et al, 2013). With these aspects, the company has a greater amount of technology that will enable it to give access to its trusted users from wherever they might be (Stanek, 2014). File and Printer Sharing The File services used by Worldwide Advertising make use of the recommendations put forward by Microsoft. In this regard, clients will be provided with a home folder in order to store their private information. They will also be provided with a shared folder to encourage collaboration and a workspace that is also collaborative in nature. Shares will be dived among two servers located at both the New York and Los Angeles branches (Tulloch, 2014). All the servers will be added to the Server Manager in order to ensure more centralized management; alternatively Windows PowerShell scripts can be put in place to simultaneously manage a number of servers (Stanek, 2014). Services for printing will be made available through the Remote Desktop infrastructure that has already been set in place when the applications were set up. This is requisite since the suite dealing with productivity also makes use of the framework for intranet. The print services will enable the firm to share printers on a network and also to centralize print server as well as printer management. It also provides the chance to migrate print servers and to deploy printer connections using the Group policy (Finn et al, 2013). Conclusion A server that has been properly set up is one of the core tools that assures the success of a given network especially if it achieves the set out aims of decreasing on the amount of unnecessary traffic and improves on the levels of productivity. The Active Directory Schema in particular could enable Worldwide Inc to actively manage on the security of its information and ensure that group policy is expanded right down to the users. A comprehensive system of storage and file sharing will enable an increase in efficiency since it will ensure that users are not on a constant search for space. References Finn, A., Lownds, P., Luescher, M. (2013). Windows Server Hyper-V Installation and Configuration Guide. New York: John Wiley & Sons. Minasi, M. (2014). Mastering Windows Server 2012 R2. Indianapolis, IN: John Wiley & Sons Stanek, W. (2014). Windows Server 2012 R2 inside out: Services, security, & infrastructure. Redmond, WA: Microsoft Press Tulloch, M. (2014). Training guide: Installing and configuring Windows Server 2012 R2. Redmond, WA: Microsoft Press. Read More