Microsoft Windows Home Server 2011 Unleashed, 3rd Edition

Description

• Copyright 2011
• Dimensions: 7" x 9-1/8"
• Edition: 3rd

• EPUB (Watermarked)
• ISBN-10: 0-13-268197-8
• ISBN-13: 978-0-13-268197-1

Covers the newest version of WHS!

This is the most comprehensive, practical, and useful guide to the brand-new version of Windows Home Server 2011. Paul McFedries doesn’t just cover all facets of running Windows Home Server: He shows how to use it to simplify everything from file sharing to media streaming, backup to security.

With real-world examples, McFedries guides you through using new features ranging from the Dashboard and Launchpad to Remote Web Access and Alert Viewer. You’ll find network configurations and step-by-step solutions you can easily understand and use, even if you have no server experience. Then, when you’re ready, McFedries reveals how Home Server’s hidden business-class features can help you save more time and get even better performance.

Packed with exclusive tips and tricks, this go-to guide will help you every step of the way...as you create a home network that does more and runs perfectly!

• Quickly set up networks, user accounts, devices, and storage
• Add any computer to your network: Windows 7, Vista, XP, Mac, or Linux
• Efficiently share folders, files, and digital media
• Set up passwords and users and protect your sensitive information
• Reliably automate backups, so you never lose an important file
• Centrally manage all your storage, so you never have to buy more than you need
• Stream and share your digital images, audio, and video--even on your Xbox 360 or other devices
• Use Home Server’s built-in web server to create powerful, flexible websites
• Use Windows SharePoint Foundation to help everyone coordinate their busy lives
• Automatically apply up-to-date security fixes to all your Windows computers
• Remotely access your content from any Internet-connected computer–safely and securely
• Use Home Server power tools, including Local Group Policy Editor, Computer Management snap-ins, and scripting
• Efficiently monitor, maintain, tune, and troubleshoot Windows Home Server

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Sample Content

Table of Contents

Introduction     1

Part I Unleashing Windows Home Server Configuration

Chapter 1 Setting Up Your Windows Home Server Network     7

Configuring Windows Home Server for Networking     8

Do You Need to Change the Windows Home Server Workgroup Name?      8

Configuring Windows Home Server with a Static IP Address     8

Setting Up Windows Home Server as a DHCP      11

Connecting Windows Home Server to a Windows 7 Homegroup     13

Viewing the Windows Home Server Network     14

Troubleshooting Network Problems     14

Checking Connection Status     15

Checking Network Utilization     17

Repairing a Network Connection     17

Working with the Network and Internet Troubleshooter     19

Troubleshooting Cables     20

Troubleshooting the Network Interface Card     21

Handling Multiple Network Subnets     24

Making a Remote Desktop Connection to the Server     26

Making Sure That Windows Home Server Is Ready to Host     26

Making the Connection to the Server     27

Disconnecting from the Server     27

From Here     28

Chapter 2 Setting Up and Working with User Accounts     29

Understanding Security Groups     9

Adding a New User     32

Setting the Password Length and Complexity     32

Customizing the Password Length Requirement     33

Building a Strong Password     34

Changing the Password on the Client     35

Adding the User Account     36

Automating Client Logons     39

Modifying User Accounts     41

Viewing Account Properties     42

Changing the Account Password     43

Disabling a User Account     44

Enabling a User Account     45

Removing a User Account     46

Adding a User to a Group     46

Allowing a User to Log On to the Windows Home Server Desktop     47

From Here     48

Chapter 3 Adding Devices to the Windows Home Server Network     49

Installing Windows Home Server Connector on the Client Computers     49

Supported Operating Systems     50

Preparing to Install Windows Home Server Connector     51

Running the Windows Home Server Connector Setup Program     51

Using a Mac on Your Windows Home Server Network     53

Connecting to the Windows Home Server Network     54

Running the Windows Home Server MacConnector Setup Program on Your Mac     55

Mounting a Windows Home Server Shared Folder     56

Using a Mac to Make a Remote Desktop Connection to Windows Home Server     59

Letting Windows Computers See Your Mac Shares     61

Using a Linux Client on Your Windows Home Server Network     65

Viewing the Windows Home Server Network in Ubuntu     65

Letting Windows Computers See Your Ubuntu Shares     66

Adding Other Devices to the Network     72

Adding an Xbox 360 to the Network     72

From Here     73

Chapter 4 Configuring Windows Home Server     75

Running the Windows Home Server Launchpad     76

Running the Windows Home Server Dashboard     77

Changing the Date and Time on Windows Home Server     79

Setting the Current Date and Time     79

Synchronizing the Date and Time with a Time Server     81

Selecting the Windows Home Server Region     83

Changing the Region in the Windows Home Server Dashboard     83

Customizing the Region Formats     83

Configuring Windows Update     85

Configuring Windows Update     85

Updating Windows Home Server     87

Changing the Windows Home Server Password.      88

Restarting or Shutting Down Windows Home Server     89

Configuring the Windows Home Server Startup     89

Configuring Startup with the Advanced Boot Options Menu     90

Configuring Startup with the System Configuration Editor     92

Launching Applications and Scripts at Startup     94

From Here     98

Chapter 5 Setting Up and Using Home Server Storage     99

Understanding Storage in Windows Home Server 2011     99

Server Storage on a One-Drive System     100

Server Storage on a System with Two or More Drives     102

Working with Server Backup Drives     103

Adding a Drive for Server Backups     103

Removing a Server Backup Drive     106

Who Needs Drive Extender? Implementing Spanning, Mirroring, and RAID     107

Creating a Storage Pool Using a Spanned Volume     107

Creating Data Redundancy Using Mirrored Volumes     111

Mimicking Drive Extender by Creating a RAID 5 Volume     112

Repairing Storage     115

From Here     116

Part II Unleashing Windows Home Server Networking

Chapter 6 Sharing Folders and Files on the Home Server     117

Examining the Predefined Windows Home Server Shares     118

Setting User Permissions on Shared Folders     118

Modifying Permissions for a Windows Home Server Shared Folder     119

Sharing Server Folders Outside the Dashboard     120

Working with Shared Folders     123

Creating a New Shared Folder     123

Moving a Shared Folder     124

Accessing Previous Versions of Shared Folders or Files     125

Deleting a Shared Folder     127

Accessing the Windows Home Server Shared Folders     127

Understanding the Universal Naming Convention     128

Mapping a Shared Folder to a Local Drive Letter     130

Disconnecting a Mapped Network Folder     132

Creating a Network Location in Windows 7 and Windows Vista     132

Creating a Network Place in Windows XP     133

Accessing Shared Folders on Your Mac     135

Copying Files to a Shared Folder     135

Publishing a Windows Vista Calendar to the Server     136

Publishing Your Calendar     137

Subscribing to a Calendar     138

Working with Shared Calendars     140

Searching the Shared Folders     140

From Here     145

Chapter 7 Making Connections to Network Computers     147

Configuring a Computer as a Remote Desktop Host     148

Configuring a Windows 7 or Vista Host     149

Configuring an XP Host     150

Restricting the Computers That Can Connect to the Host     151

Connecting via Remote Desktop Connection     153

Getting the Client Computer Ready     153

Making the Connection to the Remote Desktop     153

Disconnecting from the Remote Desktop     158

Connecting via Windows Home Server Remote Web Access     158

Configuring Users for Remote Access     159

Activating Remote Web Access on the Server     160

Displaying the Remote Web Access Page     160

Making the Connection     162

Disconnecting from the Host     163

Connecting via the Internet     163

Connecting with Your Router’s IP Address     164

Connecting with a Domain Name Maintained by a Dynamic DNS Service     168

Connecting with a Domain Name Maintained by Windows Home Server     169

Displaying the Remote Web Access Home Page     172

Connecting to a Network Computer     173

Working with Windows Home Server Shares in the Web Browser     173

Enabling Drag-and-Drop Uploading     176

Customizing the Remote Web Access Pages     177

Customizing the Logon Page     178

Adding Web Page Links     179

From Here     182

Chapter 8 Streaming and Sharing Digital Media     183

Streaming Digital Media     184

Getting Your Devices Ready     184

Activating the Windows Home Server Media Server     186

Playing Streamed Media in Windows Media Player     188

Playing Streamed Media in Windows Media Center     190

Streaming Digital Media Over the Internet     191

Sharing Photos     193

Customizing the Pictures Share with a Template     193

Using Server Pictures as a Screensaver Slideshow     194

Adding the Pictures Folder to Windows Media Player     195

Adding the Pictures Folder to Windows Live Photo Gallery     196

Adding the Pictures Folder to Windows Photo Gallery     197

Running a Slide Show from the Pictures Share     198

Changing the Default Picture Import Location to Windows Home Server     198

Sharing Music     198

Customizing the Music Share with a Template     199

Adding the Music Folder to Windows Media Player     200

Changing the Default Rip Location to Windows Home Server     200

Sharing Videos     201

Customizing the Videos Share with a Template     201

Adding the Videos Folder to Windows Media Player     202

Archiving Recorded TV on Windows Home Server     204

From Here     207

Chapter 9 Backing Up and Restoring Network Computers     209

Understanding Windows Home Server’s Backup Technology     210

Single Instance Storage     210

No Backup Types     211

Smarter Backups     211

Client Computer Backup Retention     212

Improvements to Client Backups in Windows Home Server 2011     212

Converting Client Partitions to NTFS     213

Format the Partition as NTFS     214

Run the CONVERT Utility     214

Configuring Windows Home Server Backups     215

Configuring the Backup Time     215

Configuring Client Computer Backup Retention     216

Configuring a Computer for Backup     217

Excluding a Disk Drive from a Backup     218

Excluding Folders from a Backup     219

Adding a New Hard Drive to a Backup     220

Turning Off Backups for a Computer     221

Configuring Time Machine to Back Up Your Mac      222

Running a Manual Backup     223

Cancelling a Running Backup     224

Backing Up Other Systems to Windows Home Server     224

Working with Backups     224

Viewing a Computer’s List of Backups     226

Viewing Backup Details     227

Preventing Windows Home Server from Deleting a Backup     230

Cleaning Up Old Backups     230

Creating a Bootable USB Recovery Key     231

Repairing a Client’s Backups     232

Restoring Network Backups     232

Restoring Backed-Up Files     233

Restoring a Computer to a Previous Configuration     235

From Here     237

Chapter 10 Monitoring Your Network     239

Monitoring the Network Status with the Launchpad Icon     239

Monitoring the Icon Color     240

Monitoring Network Health Alerts     240

Monitoring Windows Home Server with the Alert Viewer     242

Monitoring the Windows Home Server Shares     245

Launching the Computer Management Snap-In     245

Viewing the Current Connections     246

Viewing Connections to Shared Folders     247

Viewing Open Files     248

Closing a User’s Session or File     249

Monitoring Remote Desktop Sessions     249

Starting the Remote Desktop Services Manager     250

Viewing Remote Desktop Sessions     250

Sending a Message to a Remote Desktop Client     252

Disconnecting a Remote Desktop Session     253

Monitoring Users via Task Manager     254

From Here     256

Chapter 11 Implementing Windows Home Server Security     257

Enabling Security Auditing on Windows Home Server     257

Activating the Auditing Policies     258

Understanding the Auditing Policies     259

Tracking Auditing Events     266

More Ways to Secure Windows Home Server     270

Renaming the Administrator Account     271

Hiding the Username in the Log On Dialog Box     271

Making Sure Windows Firewall Is Turned On     272

Disabling the Hidden Administrative Shares     274

Securing Network Computers     275

Monitoring Home Computer Security     275

Thwarting Spyware with Windows Defender     276

Protecting Yourself Against Email Viruses     280

Implementing Parental Controls     282

Creating Accounts for the Kids     282

Avoiding Phishing Scams     285

Sharing a Computer Securely     288

Implementing Wireless Network Security     290

From Here     292

Chapter 12 Setting Up a Windows Home Server Website     293

Understanding the Windows Home Server Default Website     294

Viewing the Default Web Application Folders     294

Viewing the Default IIS Website     296

Viewing the Default Website with Internet Information Services Manager     297

Adding Folders and Files to the Default Website     298

Adding a File to a Default Website Folder     298

Adding a Folder to the Default Website     299

Creating a New Website     301

Creating a New Website Using a Different IP Address     302

Creating a New Website Using a Different Port     307

Creating a New Website Using a Host Header     312

Configuring a Website     314

Modifying the Website Bindings     314

Giving a Website Multiple Identities     315

Changing the Website Location     316

Setting the Default Content Page     317

Disabling Anonymous Access     319

From Here     320

Chapter 13 Running a SharePoint Site on Windows Home Server     321

Installing and Configuring Windows SharePoint Foundation 2010     322

Downloading and Installing Windows SharePoint Foundation 2010     322

Running the Initial Windows SharePoint Foundation 2010 Configuration     323

Creating a New SharePoint Web Application     323

Creating a Top-Level SharePoint Site     325

Deleting the Default SharePoint Web Application     328

Restarting the Windows Home Server Default Website     329

Adding a Firewall Exception for the SharePoint Web Application Port     329

Forwarding the SharePoint Port in Your Router     330

Adding Users to the Top-Level SharePoint Site     331

Logging On to the Top-Level SharePoint Site     332

Adding Sites to SharePoint     333

Adding a Top-Level Site     335

Adding a Subsite     335

Working with Site Settings     337

Customizing a Site     337

Working with Users     342

Working with Groups     345

Working with Permissions     347

Deleting a Site     349

Creating Content for a SharePoint Site     350

Storing Images in a Picture Library     350

Tracking Appointments with a Calendar     352

Maintaining a List of Contacts     353

Keeping a List of Web Page Links     355

Deleting Content from a Site     355

From Here     56

Chapter 14 Patching Home Computers with WSUS     357

Installing WSUS     358

Configuring WSUS     359

Synchronizing Updates     361

Connecting Home Computers to WSUS     363

Approving Updates     364

Approving Updates by Hand     365

Approving Updates Using a Rule     365

From Here     367

Part III Unleashing Windows Home Server Performance and Maintenance

Chapter 15 Tuning Windows Home Server Performance     369

Monitoring Performance     369

Monitoring Performance with Task Manager     370

Monitoring Performance with Resource Monitor     382

Monitoring Performance with Performance Monitor     384

Optimizing the Hard Disk     391

Examining Hard Drive Performance Specifications     391

Performing Hard Drive Maintenance     391

Disabling Compression and Encryption     391

Turning Off Windows Search     392

Enabling Write Caching     392

Optimizing Virtual Memory     393

Storing the Paging File Optimally     393

Customizing the Paging File Size     394

Watching the Paging File Size     394

Changing the Paging File’s Location and Size     395

Optimizing Applications     396

Adding More Memory     397

Optimizing Application Launching     397

Getting the Latest Device Drivers     397

Setting the Program Priority in Task Manager     397

More Optimization Tricks     398

Adjusting Power Options     398

Eliminate the Use of Visual Effects     399

Optimizing Windows Home Server for Services     400

Upgrading Your Device Drivers     401

From Here     405

Chapter 16 Maintaining Windows Home Server     407

Checking System Uptime     408

Displaying Uptime with the Task Manager     408

Displaying Uptime with the SYSTEMINFO Command     408

Displaying Uptime with Performance Monitor     408

Displaying Uptime with a Script     409

Checking Your Hard Disk for Errors     411

Understanding Clusters     412

Understanding Lost Clusters     413

Understanding Invalid Clusters     413

Understanding Cross-Linked Clusters     413

Understanding Cycles     413

Understanding Windows Home Server’s Automatic Disk Checking     414

Running Check Disk     414

Checking Free Disk Space on the System Drive     416

Deleting Unnecessary Files from the System Drive     419

Defragmenting the System Drive     422

Reviewing Event Viewer Logs     424

Setting Up a Maintenance Schedule     425

From Here     426

Chapter 17 Troubleshooting Windows Home Server     427

Replacing Your System Hard Drive     428

Determining the System Hard Drive     428

Replacing the System Drive     429

Checking for Solutions to Problems     430

Understanding Troubleshooting Strategies     432

Did You Get an Error Message?      432

Does an Error or Warning Appear in the Event Viewer Logs?      433

Does an Error Appear in System Information?      433

Did You Recently Edit the Registry?      434

Did You Recently Change Any Windows Settings?      434

Did Windows Home Server “Spontaneously” Reboot?      434

Did You Recently Change Any Application Settings?      437

Did You Recently Install a New Program?      437

Did You Recently Install a New Device?      438

Did You Recently Install an Incompatible Device Driver?      438

Did You Recently Apply an Update from Windows Update?      438

Did You Recently Install a Windows Home Server Update?      439

General Troubleshooting Tips     440

Troubleshooting Using Online Resources     440

Troubleshooting Device Problems     442

Troubleshooting with Device Manager     442

Troubleshooting Device Driver Problems     445

Tips for Downloading Device Drivers     446

Verifying Digitally Signed Files     447

Troubleshooting Startup     448

When to Use the Various Advanced Startup Options     448

Using Safe Mode     448

Using Safe Mode with Networking     449

Using Safe Mode with Command Prompt     449

Using Enable Boot Logging     449

Using Enable VGA Mode     450

Using Last Known Good Configuration     450

Using Directory Services Restore Mode     450

Using Debugging Mode     451

What to Do If Windows Home Server Won’t Start in Safe Mode     451

Troubleshooting Startup Using the System Configuration Utility     451

From Here     454

Part IV Unleashing Windows Home Server Advanced Tools

Chapter 18 Working with the Windows Home Server Registry     455

Starting the Registry Editor     456

Navigating the Registry     457

Navigating the Keys Pane     457

Understanding the Registry Settings     458

Getting to Know the Registry’s Root Keys     459

Understanding Hives and Registry Files     461

Keeping the Registry Safe     463

Backing Up the Registry     463

Protecting Keys by Exporting Them to Disk     463

Working with Registry Entries     466

Changing the Value of a Registry Entry     466

Renaming a Key or Setting     472

Creating a New Key or Setting     473

Deleting a Key or Setting     473

Finding Registry Entries     473

From Here     474

Chapter 19 Using Windows Home Server’s Command-Line Tools     477

Getting to the Command Line     477

Running CMD     478

Opening a Folder in a Command Prompt Session     481

Working at the Command Line     483

Running Commands     483

Working with Long Filenames     484

Changing Folders Faster     485

Taking Advantage of DOSKEY     486

Redirecting Command Output and Input     488

Piping Commands     491

Understanding Batch File Basics     492

Creating Batch Files     493

REM: Adding Comments to a Batch File     493

ECHO: Displaying Messages from a Batch File     494

PAUSE: Temporarily Halting Batch File Execution     495

Using Batch File Parameters     495

FOR: Looping in a Batch File     496

GOTO: Jumping to a Line in a Batch File     497

IF: Handling Batch File Conditions     498

Working with the Command-Line Tools     501

Working with Disk Management Tools     501

Working with File and Folder Management Tools     506

Working with System Management Tools     518

From Here     531

Chapter 20 Using Other Windows Home Server Power Tools     533

Using the Local Group Policy Editor     533

Working with Group Policies     534

Customizing the Windows Security Screen     537

Customizing the Places Bar     539

Increasing the Size of the Recent Documents List     541

Enabling the Shutdown Event Tracker     544

Getting More Out of Control Panel     546

Reviewing Control Panel Icons     546

Understanding Control Panel Files     550

Alternative Methods for Opening Control Panel Icons     552

Putting a Control Panel Submenu on the Start Menu     554

Removing an Icon from Control Panel     554

Showing Only Specified Control Panel Icons     556

Configuring the Microsoft Management Console     557

Launching the MMC     560

Adding a Snap-In     560

Saving a Console     562

Creating a Custom Taskpad View     562

Controlling Snap-Ins with Group Policies     565

Controlling Services     566

Controlling Services with the Services Snap-In     566

Controlling Services at the Command Prompt     569

Controlling Services with a Script     570

Setting Up a Fax Server     574

Adding the Fax Server Role     574

Configuring a Shared Fax Printer     575

Starting the Fax Service Manager     576

Configuring the Fax Modem     576

Starting Windows Fax and Scan     577

Sending a Fax     578

Receiving Faxes     580

From Here     584

Chapter 21 Scripting Windows Home Server     585

Understanding Windows Script Host     586

Running Scripts     587

Running Script Files Directly     588

Using WScript for Windows-Based Scripts     588

Using CScript for Command-Line Scripts     590

Script Properties and .wsh Files     590

Programming Objects     592

Working with Object Properties     592

Working with Object Methods     593

Assigning an Object to a Variable     595

Working with Object Collections     595

Programming the WScript Object     597

Displaying Text to the User     597

Shutting Down a Script     598

Scripting and Automation     598

Programming the WshShell Object     603

Referencing the WshShell Object     604

Displaying Information to the User     604

Running Applications     608

Working with Shortcuts     609

Working with Registry Entries     611

Working with Environment Variables     613

Programming the WshNetwork Object     615

Referencing the WshNetwork Object     615

WshNetwork Object Properties     616

Mapping Network Printers     616

Mapping Network Drives     616

Programming the Windows Management Instrumentation Service     617

Referencing the WMI Service Object     618

Returning Class Instances     618

From Here     622

Part V Appendixes

Appendix A Glossary     625

Appendix B Windows Home Server Keyboard Shortcuts     639

Appendix C Windows Home Server Online Resources     649

Windows Home Server Websites     649

Windows Home Server Blogs     650

Windows Home Server for Developers     651

Index     653

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