Windows Server

2012 R2
The Essentials
Experience
Part 6 of 7
User & Computer
Management

Agenda
User management
Creating and editing user accounts
Overview of the client connector
Managing client computers

User
managem
ent

User management and identity

Active Directory Domain Services provides

authentication and authorization

User accounts are assigned
usernames & passwords
Password policy is enforced
Simplified for smaller
environments
Accounts can be Standard

user or Administrator user

Built-in Administrator

account is disabled

Managing user accounts

Users page shows every user account in the environment
Tasks that apply to all accounts:
Add new user account
Set global password policy
Manage File History settings
Export log of remote connections
Manage online services
Tasks for specific user accounts:
View user account properties
Deactivate/remove a user account
Change password
Manage online services

User access level & password policy

Level of access for user accounts:

Standard
Administrator
Password strength/complexity:

Weak
Medium
Medium Strong
Strong

Security and distribution groups

New for Windows Server 2012 R2
User groups can be used to control

access to network sources

When optional email integration

is enabled, distribution groups

can be created

Creating &
editing
user
accounts

Creating user accounts

Add User wizard provides streamlined process:

Enter users full name; accept default username

or modify as desired
Enter password, which must meet
policy requirements
Specify access level:
Standard or Administrator
Optionally create mailbox if
e-mail integration has been installed
Assign to user groups
Assign access rights to shared folders

User account properties

User Account Properties
First and last name
Switch between Standard &
Administrator access level
Change the password
Disable/enable an account;
different than removing
Join/leave user groups
Manage shared folder and
Anywhere Access settings
Optionally manage mailbox
settings if
e-mail integration has been

Client
Connector

Connect computer wizard

Easily connect client computers
Now supports Windows Server

computers, 2008 R2 and later

Automates difficult concepts, such as

Active Directory domain join

Simplify user profile migration for

Windows Pro SKUs

Connect wizard is launched from a
web page, either locally or remotely
Remote users connect via VPN that is automatically
established
No media to distribute or SMB share to access

Connecting client computers

Benefits for connected computers:

Health monitoring
Automatic backup to Essentials server
Ability to manage Essentials server from the client
Getting connected:

Launch wizard from a web page

http://servername/connect
https://remote.internet-domain-name/connect

First step is to verify and install prerequisites

May require a reboot

Connecting client computers,

continued
User provides their credentials
Check for admin account, if so warn the user
Optionally move users settings and data (business SKUs only)
Greatly eases the transition from peer-to-peer networks to Essentials
User retains their familiar working environment
Enter a computer description

Connecting client computers,

continued
Wake client computer to perform backups to the server?
All connected PCs are backed up according to the schedule defined on
the Dashboards Computers and Backups page
Administrators can exclude PCs from being backed up
Optionally launch the Dashboard once connected

Supported clients
Check TechNet documentation for latest info:
http://technet.microsoft.com/enus/library/jj713528.aspx
Windows 7 operating systems
Windows 7 Home Basic and Home Premium (x86
and x64)
Windows 7 Professional (x86 and x64)
Windows 7 Ultimate (x86 and x64)
Windows 7 Enterprise (x86 and x64)
Windows 7 Starter (x86)
Windows 8 operating systems
Windows 8 / Windows 8.1
Windows 8 Pro / Windows 8.1 Pro

Managing
client
computers

Managing client computers

Devices page shows every computer

and server in the environment

Tasks that apply to all computers:
Customize client backup
Help with connecting computers
Implement/modify group policy
Tasks for specific computers:
View computer properties
Backup and restore tasks
Customize selected computers backup
Establish Remote Desktop connection
Remove computer

Using the right Windows client

Home vs. Professional
PCs running Home SKUs of Windows can connect to the Essentials
environment
Additional value is provided when using Professional SKUs
Implementing group policy with Professional clients:
Enables redirection of user data to the server
Professional
+ Group Policies
Simplifies the activation and configuration of
security settings

Professional
Home
Basic connectivity for accessing, sharing,
and editing network files and resources
Users must provide credentials every time
they access a specific network resource

Adds better productivity with business

features
Adds better management with domain
join and support for group policy
Adds better connectivity with Single
Sign-On and Remote Desktop Host

Easily configure security settings

with the Security Template
Easily provide real-time data
protection with Folder Redirection

Group Policy folder redirection

Automatically store and protect critical business

data on the server

Folder redirection lets users
continue to work and save
data in a way thats familiar
Folder contents are stored on
the server:
Desktop
Documents
Favorites
Downloads, etc.

Group Policy security settings

Enforce best practices security policies for client

computers
Configure consistent
security policies throughout
the domain
Enables Windows Update to
apply the latest security
patches and critical updates
Windows Defender protects
against malware attacks
Prevent users from exposing
the network to attack by
enforcing the use of

Next steps

Resources
Windows Server Essentials Tech Center
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-US/sbs/jj159331

Windows Server Essentials and Small Business

Server blog
http://blogs.technet.com/b/sbs/

Windows Server Essentials support forum

http://social.technet.microsoft.com/forums/en-us/
winserveressentials/threads

Windows Server 2012 R2 product page

http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/server-cloud/products/
windows-server-2012-r2/default.aspx

Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials product page

Ahead of the Game Campaign

Leverage Server and Cloud Solutions to
Resources
dramatically increase margin and keep SMB
customers ahead of the game
Be Lean & Stay Lean

Understand how virtualization opens the door to valueadded services and offerings.

Business Anywhere
Find out how you can support the expanding SMB remote
and mobile workforce.

Tap Your Data Goldmine

Help SMBs use data to their advantage in three easy steps.

Get started today! Visit http://aka.ms/AheadoftheGame to find the

marketing materials and sales tools you need get SMB customers
ahead of the game.

24

Additional Partner Resources

Ahead of the Game
Marketing Content
SMB and
Midmarket
Competencies

http://aka.ms/AheadoftheGame

http://partner.Microsoft.com

Partner Learning
Center:

https://
mspartner.microsoft.com/en/us/Pages/Tr
aining/partner-learning-center.aspx

Microsoft Virtual
Academy

http://www.microsoftvirtualacademy.co
m
/

ISV Upgrade
Support

Email isvupgrade@microsoft.com with

app name and name of ISV
25

How to Buy Windows Server 2012

Choose from four editions of Windows Server, based on the size of the customer
R2
organization and their requirements for virtualization and cloud computing.
Edition

Ideal for

Feature Comparison

Licensing
Model

Datacenter

Highly virtualized private and

hybrid cloud environments

Full Windows Server functionality with unlimited

virtual instances

Processor + CAL*

Standard

Low density or non-virtualized

environments

Full Windows Server functionality with two

virtual instances

Processor + CAL*

Essentials

Small business environments

for servers with up to two
processors

Simpler interface, pre-configured connectivity

to cloud-based services; one virtual instance of
Essentials

Server (25 User

Limit)

Foundation

Economical general purpose

server with a single processor

General purpose Server functionality with no

virtualization rights

Server (15 User

Limit)

Windows Server 2012 R2 Standard and Datacenter editions include the new Windows Server Essentials Experience server role,
offering features such as Remote Web Access and client computer backup that previously were only available through the
Windows Server Essentials edition.
*CALs are required for every user or device accessing a server. See the Product Use Rights for details

26

Product & Licensing Resources

Windows
Server
2012 R2
Windows
Azure
Microsoft
Volume
Licensing

Windows Server Partner Resources:

https://
mspartner.microsoft.com/en/us/Pages/Solutions/microsoft-windows-server.aspx
Windows Server Technical Resources:
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/windowsserver
Windows Azure Partner Resources:
https://
mspartner.microsoft.com/en/us/pages/solutions/windows-azure-platform.aspx
Windows Azure Technical Resources:
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windowsazure/
Microsoft Volume Licensing Resources:
http://www.microsoft.com/licensing/
Microsoft Licensing Advisor:
http://mla.microsoft.com/
27

Benefts

Windows Server 2012 R2 Licensing for

SMBs

Open Value

Open Value
Subscription*

Open License

Select Plus

Services Provider
License Agreement
(SPLA)

Software Assurance
Simplified license
management
Annual payment
structure
Three options:
organization-wide,
nonorganizationwide, and
subscription

Gives customers the

option to subscribe
to Microsoft product
licenses
Provides the lowest
up-front costs of the
Open Programs with
the flexibility to
meet changing
demands

Pay-as-you-go
model
Allows customers to
change their
licensing program
as their business
grows

For midsize and

large organizations
with 250 or more
desktop PCs
Can license software
and services at a
business unit level
with the price
saving advantages
of a single
organization

For hosting
providers
No upfront costs or
volume license
commitments
Pay only for what
you provided
customers in the
previous month
Access the latest
versions of software

* Available in select countries and regions

28

 2013 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Microsoft, Windows and other product names are or may be registered trademarks and/or trademarks in the U.S. and/or other countries.
The information herein is for informational purposes only and represents the current view of Microsoft Corporation as of the date of this presentation. Because Microsoft must respond to changing market conditions, it should not be
interpreted to be a commitment on the part of Microsoft, and Microsoft cannot guarantee the accuracy of any information provided after the date of this presentation. MICROSOFT MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY,
AS TO THE INFORMATION IN THIS PRESENTATION.