Windows Server Deployment Proposal Overview For Each 884190

Windows Server Deployment Proposalovervieweach Student Will Create A D

Describe the technical and business reasons for each choice, citing other resources as appropriate.

Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

Implementing an effective Windows Server infrastructure is critical for the success of We Make Windows (WMW), a burgeoning advertising firm expanding across two major cities—Los Angeles and New York. Given the company's size, departmental structure, and operational needs, deploying a robust Windows Server 2016 environment tailored to their configuration is essential. This detailed proposal outlines the technical design, deployment strategies, and considerations for Active Directory, network services, application management, and file sharing, grounded in best practices and aligned with WMW’s business objectives.

1. New Features of Windows Server 2016

Windows Server 2016 introduces several enhancements beneficial for WMW’s deployment. Notably, Nano Server provides a lightweight, secure deployment option suitable for cloud or on-premises environments, reducing resource consumption and attack surface. Shielded Virtual Machines enhance security for virtualized workloads, ensuring sensitive data, such as financial and HR information, remains protected. Containers facilitate application deployment consistency and scalability, useful for rapid deployment of communication tools or internal applications. Storage Spaces Direct offers high-performance, software-defined storage, which could support WMW’s data storage needs. Additionally, improvements in Active Directory (AD) and Hyper-V management streamline administration and virtualization capabilities, enhancing reliability and flexibility.

2. Deployment and Server Editions

WMW’s infrastructure will comprise at least eight servers, each designated for specific roles such as domain controllers, file servers, application servers, and possibly virtualization hosts. The decision to combine roles hinges on scalability and redundancy considerations; for example, consolidating DNS and DHCP on a dedicated server enhances manageability. Given the company's growth plans, deploying Windows Server 2016 Datacenter edition on virtualization hosts provides unlimited VM licensing, while Standard edition suffices for physical or less-virtualized servers. Server Core deployment will be utilized for servers where GUI is unnecessary, reducing attack surfaces and resource utilization, particularly on domain controllers and core services.

Location-wise, primary servers will sit in Los Angeles, where the majority of staff operate, with secondary servers placed in New York to support remote access and site-specific needs. Deployment automation will leverage Windows Deployment Services (WDS) and PowerShell scripting to ensure consistency and efficiency, particularly for scalable or repetitive deployments.

3. Active Directory

WMW’s environment will feature a single Active Directory forest with two domains—one for the primary LA site and one for the NY site, connected via a trust relationship. The core domain will be 'wmmw.local', with sub-OU structures organizing users and computers by department (Executives, Sales, Creative, HR, IT). Read-Only Domain Controllers (RODCs) will be deployed at the NY site to enhance security for remote domain controller management and provide authentication services locally, minimizing latency and dependency on the LA site. AD sites will be configured to reflect physical locations, optimizing replication traffic and login performance.

Group Policy Objects (GPOs) will be employed to enforce security, software deployment, and operational standards across departments, ensuring consistency while accommodating department-specific configurations.

4. DNS and DHCP

DNS will be configured with split-brain namespaces, with 'wmmw.local' as the internal domain and authoritative zones for internet name resolution. Zones will be split into primary and secondary DNS servers at each site to enhance fault tolerance and load balancing. DHCP scopes will cover the IP ranges allocated for each site, with lease times set at 8 hours to accommodate employee mobility but ensuring efficient reuse of addresses.

DHCP fault tolerance will be implemented using DHCP failover in load-sharing mode, providing redundancy for address allocation. Static reservations will be assigned for critical servers and networking hardware to maintain consistent IP addresses, simplifying management and troubleshooting.

5. Application Services

Applications will be deployed primarily via Group Policy, especially for standard software such as Microsoft Office, Outlook, VPN clients, and enterprise tools. Software Deployment via Group Policy will allow centralized management, reducing installation errors and ensuring timely updates. WMW may also utilize System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM) for more complex deployment scenarios or larger-scale updates. The choice of software will be based on departmental requirements, licensing considerations, and compatibility with Windows Server 2016.

6. File and Printer Sharing

File shares will be organized hierarchically by department, with access permissions tailored to departmental privacy requirements. For instance, the Finance department’s share will only be accessible to authorized personnel within HR and Finance, using NTFS permissions. Shared folders for the Creative team can be more open but still controlled via security groups. Printer sharing will be configured on dedicated print servers or directly on network printers, depending on load and accessibility needs.

In conclusion, this comprehensive Windows Server 2016 deployment plan positions WMW for scalable, secure, and efficient IT operations. By leveraging the latest features, deploying suitable server roles, and aligning configurations with company policies and growth plans, the proposed infrastructure will support WMW’s immediate needs and future expansion.

References

  • Microsoft. (2016). Windows Server 2016 Technical Documentation. https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server
  • Rittinghouse, J. W., & Ransome, J. F. (2017). Cloud Computing: Implementation, Management, and Security. CRC Press.
  • Sander, M., & Guptan, S. (2018). Active Directory: Designing, Deploying, and Running Active Directory. Microsoft Press.
  • Kim, G., et al. (2018). The DevOps Handbook: How to Create World-Class Agility, Reliability, & Security in Technology Organizations. IT Revolution Press.
  • Johnson, R. (2018). Windows Server 2016 Inside Out. Microsoft Press.
  • Goodman, A. (2017). Mastering Windows Server 2016. Packt Publishing.
  • Redmond, M. (2019). Best practices for Active Directory deployment. TechTarget. https://searchwindowsserver.techtarget.com
  • Microsoft. (2019). Planning DNS and DHCP for Windows Server. https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/networking/dns/dns-deploy
  • St. Amant, R. (2020). Implementing Windows Server Security. Syngress Publishing.
  • Hutchinson, M. (2020). Windows Server 2016 Unleashed. Sams Publishing.

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