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Overvieweach Student Will Create A Detailed Organized Unified Techni

Describe the technical and business reasons for each choice, citing other resources as appropriate. The Windows Server 2012 operating system should be used for all aspects of the solution. The topics include: New Features of Windows Server 2012, Deployment and Server Editions, Active Directory, DNS and DHCP, Application Services, File and Printer Sharing.

Paper For Above instruction

In designing an efficient, secure, and scalable Windows Server 2012-based infrastructure for Worldwide Advertising, Inc. (WAI), a comprehensive approach must be taken to leverage the operating system's capabilities while aligning with business requirements. WAI’s growth trajectory, dynamic staffing, and distributed locations necessitate a solution capable of flexible deployment, robust security, and manageable administration.

New Features of Windows Server 2012

Windows Server 2012 introduces several features that can significantly benefit WAI. Hyper-V enhancements allow for efficient virtualization, reducing physical hardware costs and increasing flexibility. Storage Spaces simplifies storage management, enabling the creation of virtual disks from pooled physical disks. The Server Manager has a centralized dashboard, easing the management of multiple servers. Additionally, improvements in PowerShell scripting facilitate automation and streamline repetitive tasks.

Another key feature is Dynamic Access Control, which provides a more granular and policy-based access control mechanism, essential for maintaining confidentiality for departmental data, such as financials or HR data. The inclusion of Storage Tiering and Offloaded Data Transfer (ODX) accelerates data processing, ideal for handling large media files typical in advertising. These features collectively improve manageability, security, and scalability of WAI's infrastructure.

Deployment and Server Editions

Considering WAI’s needs, at least three dedicated servers are required: a Domain Controller and DNS server, a File Server, and an Application Server. The Domain Controller and DNS services can be consolidated on a single server to optimize resources. The File Server will host department-specific shares with quotas and DFS namespace arrangements. The Application Server will accommodate deployment of essential business applications, possibly delivered via Group Policy for centralized management.

For editions, Windows Server 2012 Standard edition suffices due to its licensing model and virtualization rights, providing ample features without the need for the Datacenter edition. Server Core installation is recommended for the Domain Controller and DNS server to reduce attack surface and management overhead. The File and Application Servers can be deployed with Server Core or GUI based on administrative preference. Deployment can be automated via PowerShell scripts and Windows Deployment Services (WDS) to ensure consistency across multiple servers and rapid setup.

Server Locations and Deployment Strategy

The primary servers will be located at the Los Angeles site, where most employees are based, with a secondary DNS and Active Directory site at New York. Virtualization allows for logical separation of roles and flexibility in server placement. Deployment should be predominantly automated to minimize errors, using scripts and deployment tools aligned with Microsoft's best practices.

Active Directory Design

WAI will utilize a single Active Directory domain (waigroup.local) to simplify management while supporting multiple sites via AD sites and Services. A primary domain controller (DC) will be installed at LA, with a Read-Only Domain Controller (RODC) at NY for redundancy and read interference reduction. The AD sites will be configured to reflect physical locations, with site links enabling replication over the secure IPSec tunnel. Organizational Units (OUs) will be structured by department—Executives, Accounts, Creative, HR, and IT—facilitating tailored Group Policy application for each. This approach ensures administrative delegation and security policies are tightly aligned with departmental needs.

DNS and DHCP Configuration

A split DNS namespace (waigroup.local) will be implemented, with primary zones hosted internally and split views for internet-facing services. For DNS, secondary zones and zone transfer mechanisms will ensure redundancy and load balancing across sites. DHCP scope design will include an IP range of 10.0.0.0/24 for LA and a corresponding range for NY, with lease times of 8 days to balance address availability and client convenience. DHCP reservations for critical servers will ensure consistent addressing. DHCP fault tolerance can be achieved via DHCP failover replication, maintaining high availability during outages.

Application Services Deployment

Applications will be deployed primarily through Group Policy, which allows for centralized, scalable, and automated application delivery. Critical business software, like design tools or client management systems, will be packaged using Windows Installer or MSI-based deployment and assigned via Group Policy for ease of management. This strategy supports rapid software updates and consistent configurations across authorized devices.

File and Printer Sharing

Shared folders will be categorized based on departmental confidentiality and data access needs. For example, financial data will reside in restricted shares, only accessible to the Finances department. Quotas and File Server Resource Manager (FSRM) will be configured to control storage usage, prevent over-utilization, and ensure fair resource distribution. DFS Namespace will be implemented to create a unified folder hierarchy, allowing users across sites seamless access to shares regardless of physical location.

Overall, this comprehensive design leverages Windows Server 2012 features to provide a secure, manageable, and scalable infrastructure aligning with WAI’s current requirements and future expansion plans. Regular assessment and updates will be necessary as WAI grows and new technologies emerge, ensuring continuous alignment with best practices and business goals.

References

  • Microsoft. (2012). Windows Server 2012 Features Overview. Microsoft Documentation. https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/get-started/whats-new-in-windows-server-2012
  • Russinovich, M., Solomon, D., & Iftode, L. (2012). Windows Internals, Part 1: Covering Windows Server 2012 and Windows 8. Microsoft Press.
  • Kaplan, J. (2013). Best practices for deploying Windows Server 2012. TechNet Magazine. https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/IT-Pros-Blog/Best-practices-for-deploying-Windows-Server-2012/ba-p/643017
  • Schulz, A. (2013). Active Directory design for small to medium businesses. Windows IT Pro. https://www.windowsitpro.com/identity-management/active-directory-design-small-medium-businesses
  • Chappell, D. (2011). Pro Windows Server 2012 Server Core Installation. Apress.
  • Bakkali, A. (2014). Implementing DHCP and DNS for enterprise networks. Microsoft Architecture Journal. https://msarchitect.journal.com/2014/01/15/dhcp-and-dns-implementation
  • Hicks, D. (2012). Managing deployment with Group Policy in Windows Server 2012. Windows Server Blog. https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/windows-server-blogs/group-policy-in-windows-server-2012/ba-p/572165
  • Johnson, L. (2015). Storage Spaces and storage management in Windows Server 2012. Storage Magazine. https://storagecraft.com/blog/storage-spaces-in-windows-server-2012
  • Lee, S. (2013). Setting up hybrid DNS zones for multi-site networks. Network World. https://www.networkworld.com/article/2228503/dns-hybrid-zones-multi-site.html
  • Microsoft. (2012). Guide to Deploying Windows Server 2012 Active Directory. Microsoft Docs. https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/identity/ad-ds/deploy/deploying-active-directory

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