Windows Server

2012 R2
The Essentials
Experience
Part 3 of 7
Installation and Migration

Agenda
Installation
Migration guidance
Getting started setup tasks
Server settings

Installation

System requirements
http://technet.microsoft.com/enus/library/dn383626.aspx
Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials
Component

Minimum

Recommended

Processor/
CPU socket

1.4 GHz (64-bit processor) or faster for single

core, or
1.3 GHz (64-bit processor) or faster for multicore

3.1 GHz (64-bit

processor) or faster
multi-core

Memory (RAM)

2 GB (4 GB if installed as a virtual machine)

8 GB

Hard drive

160 GB hard disk with a 60 GB system partition

Maximum
2 sockets

64 GB
No limit

Additional Requirements
Component

Description

Network adapter

Gigabit Ethernet adapter (10/100/1000baseT PHY/MAC)

Internet

Some functionality may require Internet access (fees may apply) or a Microsoft account

Supported Client
operating systems

Windows 8.1, Windows 8, Windows 7, Macintosh OS X version 10.5 to 10.8

(Some features require professional or higher editions)

Router

A router or firewall that supports IPv4 NAT or IPv6

Addl requirements

DVD-ROM drive

Supported
networking

Your server must be connected via a network cable to a router

The router should be a UPnP-certified device, but it is not required

OS installation phase
Windows Server 2012 R2

Essentials is often sold preinstalled on servers

Windows Pre-Installation

Environment phase
Optionally install drivers
Select system disk
Prerequisites verified
Windows Server installation

phase
Essentials Experience

Install as a virtual machine

Select OEM vendors offer servers

with a wizard-driven option for

installing Essentials as a virtual
machine
Volume license customers can also

install Essentials as a virtual

machine
Only a single license is necessary
Essentials can be its own Hyper-V
host, complete with a full GUI and
the Hyper-V Manager console
When used with the Standard or
Steps
for creatingeditions,
a customized
http://
Datacenter
theimage:
Windows

Role configuration
Simplified install process:

Verify time & date

Company Information
Administrator account & password
Update settings

Install as a virtual machine with VL bits

Phase 1: Prep the parent partition
Complete OS installation phase on the physical server
Cancel the role configuration wizard
To prevent it from restarting, from PowerShell enter:
dism /online /disable-feature:Microsoft-Windows-ServerEssentials-ServerSetup

Unpin Dashboard shortcut from the Taskbar

Start the Server Manager console and remove roles/features

File and Storage Services: BranchCache, DFS

Web Server (IIS)
Windows Server Essentials Experience
.NET Framework 4.5 Features: ASP.NET 4.5
Group Policy Management
BranchCache
Ink and Handwriting Services
Media Foundation
Remote Server Administration Tools

Install as a virtual machine with VL bits

Phase 2: Install Hyper-V role, create virtual machine
Start the Server Manager console

Add the Hyper-V role

Create any desired Storage Spaces
Start the Hyper-V Manager console

Optionally enable Hyper-V Replica and Live Migration

Create a virtual switch connected to a physical NIC
Create a new virtual machine
Create a Generation 2 VM
Configure at least 4GB of RAM
Configure at least 2 virtual hard disks

Start the VM and install Essentials normally

Essentials Experience in Windows

Azure
Benefits of running as a virtual machine in
Windows Azure
Create your first server in minutes and easily adjust
the scale of your VM as your needs change
With the pay-as-you-go approach, you only pay for
what you use, and there are no up-front capital
expenses
Your server running Windows Server Essentials
Experience is deployed into a multi-zone production
environment that is commercially backed with an
SLA
Installation guidance is available at

Migration
guidance

Migration guidance
TechNet migration documentation
Learn more about migrating to Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials at
http://technet.microsoft.com/library/dn408633.aspx
Step 1: Prepare your Source Server for Windows Server 2012 R2
Essentials migration
Step 2: Install Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials as a new replica
domain controller
Step 3: Join computers to the new Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials
server
Step 4: Move settings and data to the Destination Server
Step 5: Enable folder redirection on the Destination Server
Step 6: Demote and remove the Source Server from the network
Transition from Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials to Windows Server 2012 R2
Step
7: Perform post-migration tasks for the migration.
Standard
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/jj247582.aspx
Step
8: Run the Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials Best Practices

Getting
started
setup tasks

Essentials Dashboard
Dashboard

Provides a centralized, simplified

administration interface
Can run on the server or from a
client computer via RemoteApp
Home page has been redesigned
to be more functional
Setup (Getting Started) Tasks

Recommended initial
configuration tasks collected into
a to-do list
Used to customize Essentials

Add user accounts

Control access to resources by

creating an account for each user

Simplified account creation

process
Basic information about the user
Shared folder access
Optional mailbox setup when
using Office 365, Exchange
Server, or a Hosted Exchange
service
Remote Web Access permissions

Add server folders

Organize business information

and control who can access

which documents by creating
shared folders
Simplified shared folder wizard

Enter folder name

Assign user and group
permissions
Include in server backup
Shared folders can be access

remotely

Updates, server backup, & restore

service
Configure Microsoft Update
Provides updates for other
products
Windows Update was previously
configured during installation
Configure server backup

Simple wizard defines destination,

schedule, and items to protect
Set up client restore service

Configures WDS for use with PXE

boot

Set up Anywhere Access

Comprehensive wizards guide

you through the process

Router configuration
Internet domain name
SSL certificate
Enable Remote Web Access
and/or VPN
Remote Web Access portal can

be customized
VPN connections can be used to

remotely join client computers to

Health reporting
Proactive health status

monitoring provides rich set of

alerts
Can be sent as email

notifications
Need to configure mail server
settings
SMTP server settings
Sender and recipient addresses
Alerts are shown on the Health

Monitoring tab of the Home page

Connect client computers

Launch from a web page
http://servername/connect
https://remote.domainname/conn
ect
Connect Computer wizard
Verifies and installs prerequisites
User provides their credentials
Select whether or not to move
settings and data*
Enter a computer description
Wake client computer to perform
backups to the server?
supported
Participate
customer
* Requires
business in
client
SKU

Supported operating systems for client

computers
http://technet.microsoft.com/enus/library/jj713528.aspx

Server
settings

General settings
General settings include:

Modify date & time

Modify locale
Modify update settings/Install
updates
Windows System and Security
settings control updates for the
server
Windows activation
Modify feedback options

Customer Experience

Media settings
Optionally download and install

media streaming functionality

Windows Server Essentials Media
Pack
http://www.microsoft.com/enus/download/details.aspx?
id=40837
Easily share pictures
Stream video and music from the
server, with support for:
DLNA-compliant devices
Remote Web Access

Anywhere Access settings

Remote Web Access must be

turned on and configured before

use
Many routers can be configured
via universal plug & play (UPnP)
Can use a new or existing
Internet domain name (e.g.,
contoso.com)
Can use a new or existing SSL
certificate
Easily customize:
Title, background image, and logo

BranchCache settings
Improves experience for branch

office users needing to access

files from a central/headquarters
location
Turning on BranchCache from the

Dashboard uses Distributed

Cache Mode
http://technet.microsoft.com/libra
ry
/jj573002.aspx
Hosted Cache Mode can be

configured manually

Note: Requires Windows clients with the Enterprise

edition or above: Windows 7 Enterprise, Windows 7
Ultimate, Windows 8 Enterprise, Windows 8.1
Enterprise

Internet domain name

Flexible yet simple

configuration options
Use existing Internet
domain
Manage manually
Transfer domain for

automatic management

Create new domain

Manage manually
Use partner registrar for

automatic management
Use free 3rd level domain

under

Internet Security Certificate

Easily obtain and install a

third-party SSL certificate

Helps provides trusted,
secure remote connections
Wizard greatly simplifies
traditionally complicated
process
Can purchase new or use
existing SSL certificate
Automatically generates
proper certificate request
Wizard can be resumed

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.

30

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
31

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

32

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/
33

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

34

 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.