Windows Server 2012 R2 Features

Single post coverage of all of the major new and updated features in Windows Server 2012 R2

This covers the following technology areas:

• iSCSI Target Server
• SMB
• Windows Deployment Services
• Active Directory
• BitLocker
• DFS Replication
• DHCP
• DNS Server
• Failover Clustering
• File and Storage Services
• File Server Resource Manager
• Group Policy
• Hyper-V
• Hyper-V Network Virtualization
• Hyper-V Virtual Switch
• IPAM
• Networking
• Print and Document Services
• Remote Access
• Remote Desktop Services
• Security and Protection
• Windows PowerShell
• Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials

The Microsoft PFE Platforms blog has a multi-part series on preparing AD for Windows Server 2012 which contains some great advice regarding AD environment best practices. This post includes the extremely helpful following chart:

Much of the information we’ve asked you to collect, above, provides hints to some of the changes in the default behavior of newer Windows OS versions. Immediately following is a table/cheat sheet summarizing these changes. Thereafter is a more detailed description for these items, how they might impact you, our recommendation and potential workarounds. Note: We didn’t include unexpected behaviors/errors that may come when upgrading. You can find those here. They should be researched during your planning/testing phases.

We’ve included this table, and an abbreviated description for all these issues in an Excel spreadsheet. We’re hoping it may prove as a nice tactical tool for you. You can find the spreadsheet here.

Additionally, you can find more information in the Windows Server 2012 R2 and Windows Server 2012 Technical Library:

• Technical Scenarios for Windows Server 2012 R2 and Windows Server 2012
  These technical scenarios provide guidance that addresses an area of interest or particularly compelling capability enabled by Windows Server 2012, such as virtualization and Dynamic Access Control.
• Install and Deploy Windows Server 2012 R2 and Windows Server 2012
  This section provides information about how to migrate to, install, and deploy Windows Server 2012.
• Migrate Roles and Features to Windows Server
  Migration documentation and tools ease the process of migrating server roles, features, operating system settings, and data from an existing server that is running Windows Server 2012, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Server 2008, or Windows Server 2003 to a computer that is running Windows Server 2012.
• Secure Windows Server 2012
  This section provides the security products and assessment tools needed to help secure servers running Windows Server 2012.
• Manage Privacy in Windows Server 2012
  This section offers not only guidance about managing privacy-related settings in Windows Server 2012, but also links that can be useful to administrators and others concerned about privacy.
• Support Windows Server 2012
  This section contains information to help IT pros find workarounds for known issues in Windows Server 2012, and troubleshoot and resolve specific Windows Server 2012 system errors and events.
• Server Roles and Technologies in Windows Server 2012 R2 and Windows Server 2012
  This section contains information to design, deploy, manage, and troubleshoot technologies in Windows Server 2012.
• Management and Tools for Windows Server 2012 R2 and Windows Server 2012
  This section contains tool and reference information for IT pros using Windows Server 2012. Learn about Windows PowerShell, Server Manager, Remote Server Administration Tools, and Command-Line Reference.