Worldwide Advertising Inc. Windows Server Network Infrastruc

Worldwide Advertising, Inc. Windows Server Network Infrastructure Proposal

Worldwide Advertising, Inc. (WAI) has enlisted your expertise as an IT consultant to establish their Windows network infrastructure across two locations—Los Angeles and New York. The company is currently in its startup phase, with 90 employees segmented into four primary departments: Executives, Accounts and Sales, Creative, Media and Production, Human Resources and Finances, and IT. WAI aims to deploy a comprehensive Windows Server 2012-based environment that supports their business operations, ensures data security, promotes efficient management, and accommodates future growth.

This proposal delineates the technical solutions and strategic choices required to fulfill WAI’s infrastructure needs. It covers deploying Windows Server 2012 features, server roles and editions, Active Directory configuration, DNS and DHCP design, application deployment strategies, and file and printer sharing setups. Each selection is justified with technical considerations and aligned with WAI’s business objectives, emphasizing security, scalability, redundancy, and ease of management.

Introduction to Windows Server 2012 and Infrastructure Planning

New Features of Windows Server 2012 Beneficial to WAI

Windows Server 2012 introduces significant enhancements that can optimize WAI's network infrastructure. Key features include Server Core improvements, which reduce attack surfaces and management overhead; Hyper-V enhancements facilitating virtualized data center solutions; Storage Spaces offering flexible storage management; and PowerShell 3.0 for automation and scripting.

Additionally, Dynamic Access Control enables granular permissions and data classification, crucial for department-specific data privacy. The inclusion of built-in DHCP and DNS servers with enhanced fault tolerance ensures reliable network services. The Server Manager dashboard simplifies multi-server management, vital for WAI’s multi-site deployment. Synchronization of time services, directAccess, and VPN improvements bolster remote connectivity, supporting WAI’s distributed workforce.

Deployment and Server Edition Strategy

WAI's infrastructure requires multiple server roles, with some consolidation for efficiency. The plan involves deploying a total of five core servers: two domain controllers—one at each site—hosting Active Directory and DNS; one DHCP server at each site for IP address management; and dedicated servers for file-sharing, application deployment, and management tasks.

Both sites will operate Windows Server 2012 Standard edition, balancing feature needs and licensing costs. Server Core will be utilized on domain controllers for enhanced security and reduced maintenance; similar deployment may be considered for application servers to minimize resource footprint, especially in the smaller NY office.

Deployment will be automated via Windows Deployment Services (WDS) and PowerShell scripting, enabling standardized and efficient installation. The primary location for domain controllers will be the LA site, with the NY site deploying read-only domain controllers (RODC) for redundancy and local authentication, ensuring resilience against network failures.

Active Directory Architecture

WAI will establish two Active Directory (AD) domains: one for the corporate-wide resources and management, and a separate, subordinate domain for the NYC office to optimize local authentication and reduce replication traffic. Organizational Units (OUs) will be structured by department—Executives, Accounts, Creative, HR, and IT—facilitating Group Policy application tailored to departmental needs.

RODCs in the NYC site will hold read-only copies of the AD database, providing authentication and policy enforcement while enhancing security in a remote location with potentially less physical security. Proper site topology will be configured to optimize replication and login performance, with site links and schedules tailored to the company's operational patterns.

DNS and DHCP Design

The DNS namespace will utilize a split configuration: an internal namespace (e.g., wai.local) managed within WAI’s intranet and a public domain (e.g., wai.com) for internet services. DNS zones will be replicated between primary and secondary servers at each site, supporting fault tolerance and load balancing.

DHCP scopes will cover the entire address space, with reservations for critical servers, routers, and network equipment. Lease durations will be set to 8 days for desktops to optimize address utilization. DHCP fault tolerance will be implemented via DHCP failover clustering, providing seamless service continuity during server outages.

Application Service Deployment

Applications will be deployed centrally using Group Policy, ensuring consistency and ease of updates. The deployment process will involve creating organizational units dedicated to software distribution, with policies applying install or update scripts to target groups.

Critical applications, such as creative tools, accounting systems, and collaboration software, will be pre-configured on network shares and deployed via Group Policy packages. The solution will prioritize minimal user disruption and straightforward management, with an emphasis on automated updates and user-specific configurations.

File and Printer Sharing Configuration

File shares will be structured based on departmental needs, with permissions strictly adhering to privacy requirements. For instance, finance shares will be accessible only to authorized personnel, while general shares will serve collaborative departments. Quotas and quota management will be enforced using File Server Resource Manager (FSRM) to prevent disk over-utilization.

Distributed File System (DFS) will be implemented to facilitate shared access across sites, providing a unified namespace and fault-tolerant file access. Quota policies and quotas will be tailored for each department holding significant data, aligning with business policies for data management and security.

Conclusion

Implementing Windows Server 2012 with the described architecture will provide WAI with a robust, scalable, and secure network environment. The strategic placement of domain controllers, utilization of Active Directory, DNS, DHCP, and deployment of centralized applications will support WAI’s operations, promote departmental privacy, and enable future expansion. Automated deployment processes will streamline installation and updates, reducing administrative overhead. Overall, this comprehensive solution aligns technical capabilities with WAI’s business objectives, fostering growth and operational excellence over the coming years.

References

  • Microsoft. (2012). Windows Server 2012 Features. Microsoft Docs. https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/get-started/whats-new-in-windows-server-2012
  • Kroll, M., & Dilger, R. (2013). Windows Server 2012 Administration Fundamentals. Pearson.
  • Chappel, P., & Dageforde, M. (2012). Mastering Windows Server 2012. Sybex.
  • Microsoft. (2012). Active Directory Domain Services Overview. Microsoft Docs. https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/identity/ad-ds/get-started/active-directory-domain-services-overview
  • Turley, B. (2013). Implementing and Administering Windows Server 2012. McGraw-Hill.
  • Russinovich, M., et al. (2012). Windows Internals, Part 1: System Architecture, Processes, Threading, Memory Management, and More. Microsoft Press.
  • Odom, W. (2012). Mastering Windows Network Forensics and Security. Syngress.
  • Microsoft. (2012). Building a DNS Solution. Microsoft TechNet. https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/networking/dns/dns-overview
  • Hector, D. (2014). Planning and Implementing DHCP in Windows Server 2012. Microsoft Press.
  • Microsoft. (2012). Group Policy Overview. Microsoft Docs. https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/remote/remote-desktop-services-overview

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