Windows Server Deployment Proposal

Introduction

Businesses today are run primarily using advanced technology, and it is essential for Global Advertising Inc. (GAI) to develop the correct Windows Server 2012 to improve and coordinate its network infrastructure for the first time. As a new advertising company, GAI seeks to invest in its internal network system that is reliable, secure and well managed. Therefore, the company is developing a new office site and hiring new employees who can help the company achieve its goals and success. As an information technology consultant, the company can take advantage of the Windows Server 2012 because it has best features and a secure and stable server network that can help it to manage its working stations sufficiently. The Windows Server 2012 provides the best and cost-effective resolution that enables the network to be robust and scalable (Deuby, 2013). The company should configure and implement a deployment plan that includes IPsec security measure and firewalls to ensure data integrity and confidentiality within the firm (Lowe, 2012). To upgrade to the best Windows Server 2012, the proposal will outline the features of Windows Server 2012 that GAI can use to ensure a conducive server environment that would change or upgrade the controller domain in the firm's working stations.

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New Features of Window Server 2012

Global Advertising Inc. will use the Windows Server 2012 because it has some innovative and creative features that will help to improve the operating system of the company. According to Deuby 2013, the elements of Windows Server 2012 that GIA will use to run and manage the company include:

Work folders: This is a critical feature for Windows Server 2012 that will help GAI to coordinate its activities between the DropBox and its servers. Its connection with Windows Server 2012 will help the company to create a secure and well-designed data duplication file service (Lowe, 2012).

Data Duplication: This feature will help to reduce the storage needs of the company by removing copies of files that are duplicated and saving it in one file (Lowe, 2012).

Desired State Configuration: This feature is configured in the Windows Server 2012 system. It is essential for programming and functions as a monitoring system (Lowe, 2012).

Server Core: This is a command line that allows the system administrator to switch between a GUI installation and a server core installation to manage the server (Lowe, 2012). It also reduces the attack surface and protects the network.

Storage Tiering: This feature provides the network system with the ability to store data in different storage programs such as the SSDs in the hard drives (Lowe, 2012).

Deployment and Server Editions

The company will have one server for every ten employees. Since GAI has the prospect to grow, it will start with a total of 90 employees who will also require ten servers- four situated in Ohio while six located in California. To operate such a company, the servers will also need a total of ten licenses.

Each server will have different roles. For example, one of the servers in California will be tasked to ensure print, file, DNS, and DHCP services are carried out effectively. Windows Server 2012 and essential server editions will be installed in each server. This gives the company a total of 25 accounts per server with no rights of virtualization.

Using the Windows Server 2012, the company will be able to switch from MinShell, Server Core to full installation whenever necessary. Such full installations provide the server with a complete graphics interface (Deuby, 2013). On the other hand, the MinShell has a core OS tool, which can run essential GUI administration tools like the Computer Management snap-in, Microsoft Management Console (MMC) and Server Manager (Deuby, 2013).

The project will begin with a full installation of the Windows Server 2012 to ensure that everything is configured based on the company's needs. The server will then be run, and anything faulty would be fixed and connected to the server core for management purposes, and to ensure the server is more secure and reliable. The server will have the following roles:

The Role of Each Server

The Windows Deployment Services will help to deploy all the operating system to save the company money and to make the installation process more manageable. A stand-alone server that uses the Windows Deployment Services will also be installed to reduce workforce or challenges during the installation process (Deuby, 2013). Besides, the Windows System Image Manager (Windows SIM) will be installed to help during the windows set up.

Active Directory

Active directory is the primary foundation of any window server system. Without a proper functioning active directory, a company can lose productivity or time to rebuild and troubleshoot in case of data loss (Needham and Dransfield, 2004). Therefore, the goal of the company will be to ensure there are enough domain controls in case of any fault.

The project will include a total of three active directory domains. One domain control will be based in an office in Ohio while the RODC will be located in an office in California. The RODC will not have any risks of security since it will be the only domain controller that offers directory services (Needham and Dransfield, 2004). With the RODC, there will be a fault tolerance in case the DC in all the central office fails, which allows data to remain available in the AD servers. Therefore, the AD domain controllers and the subnet needs will be created in each site. The figure below is a site link that connects each site for replication to happen. The service tools and the active directory sites will help to configure the WAN link and connect the LANs.

Figure 1

The Active Directory units will be organized by the IT department, finance department, human resource department, media and production department, account and sales department and the executive. The GPOs will be applied in each OU and connected to an active directory. Each department will have a folder that only authorized users will be able to access. However, there will be an administrator who will be able to access all the folders in each department.

Figure 2

DNS AND DHCP

DHCP is important in providing data and IP locations for customers (Microsoft, 2013). This means that it has to be configured in a way that when the server is interrupted, others can assume control. Since DHCP is vital for GAI, it will be set for load balancing and fault tolerance (Microsoft, 2013). The DHCP will involve a DHCP server in the office in California and two DHCP servers in an office the Ohio. All these servers will be put in a load balance mode so that when one fails, the other takes control. However, when all the DHCP are working correctly, all of them would share the load balance (Microsoft, 2013). There will be DHCP reservations in all servers in both sites to speed up the time of response and to ensure the user does not have problems locating the servers.

The DNS is referred to as the map domains of the IP addresses (Microsoft, 2015). The customers will not be able to connect to the company's websites if the DNS fails. Each site will have a server to guarantee fault tolerance that ensures that when one site fails the others work properly. The DNS space design will have both the parent host and child host set up in different copies, but hosted in the same DNS server. Such configurations ensure data in the DNS server is secure from footprinting (Microsoft, 2015). The setting and configuration of the DNS server will happen with the help of two system administrators for four hours.

Application Services

The application services will be based on the group policy to reduce error and allow for faster installation. A folder will be created, and the MSI file will be stored in the folder. After that, a GPO will be added to all users to ensure all customers can access it. The GPO will be updated to complete the installation process. The group policy will help to control the user environment for computer accounts and user accounts.

Since the GAI Company is just starting, the following applications will be essential to boost the company: for antivirus protection, Kaspersky Small Office Security 4.0 will be used, for internet access, Google Chrome will be used, for accounting department, Quick-book accounting software will be used, and Microsoft Office will help to create documents (Brigham and Houston, 2016).

File and Printing Sharing

The two sites will have two print servers and two file servers in each site. Each server will have a print sharing feature to ensure the printers and the files are available to users without interference or failure (Microsoft, 2013).

Using the SMB share quick, five shares will be created for each department with NTFS restrictions because some departments would want their information to remain private at all time. However, the administrators will have the permission to access all the shares without restrictions. The DFS will help in organizing resources that have been shared and to enable users to share folders in deferent servers (Microsoft, 2013). Thus, the DFS replication will ensure efficiency during the replication of the folders in different sites and servers.

The File Server Resource Manager will help to manage all data and quotas stored in the servers (Microsoft, 2013). Each department will have a quota template to limit the employees from using more disk space. The File server resource manager will also develop reports to enable the administrators to analyze the trends, and determine when the storage would reach its capacity. Only one administrator will configure the File Server Resource Manager for about two hours.

The Print Management Console will be critical in managing the print servers. Using the V4 printer servers, the administrators will not have to use print drivers for each customer, while at the same time making printer sharing more comfortable (Microsoft, 2013). Finally, the print servers would be configured using the group policy to allow the users to access the printers in their offices.

Conclusion

The Windows Server 2012 proposal briefly details the elements that are important for the deployment of GAI business solution to allow the firm to provide cloud services to its customers in different sites in the most efficient and cost-effective way. With the new features, the Windows Server 2012 will appeal to both the GAI employees and customers. The deployment of a standard edition will give the company one of the latest technologies to achieve its goals. The Active Directory will be the foundation of the company's success, while the DHCP and DNS will help to connect the internet and make the firm more successful. The applications will be important in increasing user's productivity. Finally, the print and file servers will be critical in saving files and accessing them easily. For the company to start on the right foot, it is recommended that GAI should adopt the Windows Server 2012 on each PC to make it easier to manage and make it available for each client.

References

Brigham, F..& Houston, J. F. (2016). Fundamentals are Networking Development. Boston, Ma: Cengage Learning

Deuby, S. (2013, March 1). Windows Server 2012 Deployment. Retrieved from: http://windo...