70-410 Chapter 1 Server Roles

Active Directory Lightweight Directory Services

Active Directory Lightweight Directory Services (AD LDS) is a lighter version of AD DS. This role is used in scenarios where standalone servers with limited directory services are required.

Active Directory Rights Management Server

Active Directory Rights Management Services (AD RMS) is the role responsible for managing and controlling embedded file-level policies for encryption and access to data. Changes in 2012 R2 revolve around new requirements for SQL server integration, additional steps for PowerShell deployments, a new process for installation through server manager, server core support, and so on.

Volume Activation Services

Enables the automation and management of volume licenses for your organization. Key management services (KMS) as well as Active Directory-based activation further simplify the management of license activations across the organization.

File and Storage Services (Including File Server and Resource Manager)

File and Storage Services provides a central point for storage management for file servers in you organization. File Server Resource Manager provides additional resource to control and manage access to files and resources shared on you server. Windows Server 2012 R2 includes Work Folders. This gesture provides a consistent method for users to access their files from different devices. Additional enhancements for 2012 R2 include data deduplication, iSCSI integrations, storage virtualization, improved remote management, and additional support for PowerShell cmdlets.

Active Directory Federation Services

Previously included as an additional download, Server 2012 R2 now includes Active Directory Federation Services (AD FS) as a role available under Server Manager. It provides a seamless secure method for single sign on (SSO). It enables internal and external user authentication to multiple resources without the hassle of remembering multiple logons. Additional new features include integration with dynamic access control and additional PowerShell cmdlet tools.

Steaming Media Services

Provides support and management for the delivery of digital media to many clients over a web browser.

Web Server (IIS)

Provides the ability to create and manage websites. In this new release of Internet Information Services (IIS), now at version 8.5, Microsoft has provided the ability for centralized SSL certificates for your web server farm, the ability to restrict connections based on IP addresses, FTP logon restrictions, CPU and bandwidth throttling, plus many more.

Remote Desktop Services

Remote Desktop Services provide mobile support and the ability for users to connect to desktops and applications from virtually anywhere. Several improvements have been made to this service since Windows Server 2008. Some of these include a simple virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI), centralized publishing of resources, improved USB device support through the virtual session, multitouch/gestures, smoother audio/video playback, and so on. Enhancements in Windows Server 2012 R2 include the ability to monitor and control sessions, improved performance accessing common data, improved reconnection capabilities, reduced requirements for network bandwidth, increased support for additional remote desktop clients such as handheld/mobile devices, and so on.

Active Directory Certificate Services

Server role responsible for public key infrastructure (PKI). This rule is used if you need to deploy and manage digital certificates. New capabilities for 2012 R2 include integration with Server Manager, PowerShell management, server core support, support for auto renewal of certificate for computers unjoined to the domain, and so on.

Active Directory Domain Services

The Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS) role is responsible for the creation and management of an active directory database. It allows for the organization of resources, management of authentication, and integration with other services such as Microsoft Exchange. Enhancements to AD DS include virtual domain controller deployment options, improved domain controller promotion tools, new management procedures, and enhancements to the Kerberos protocol.

Hyper-V

The Hyper-V role is responsible for managing and supporting server virtualization in your organization. There have been several enhancements and new features incorporated into the 2012 R2 platform. Some of these include a new set of PowerShell omelets, a new virtual machine replication feature, resource monitoring, the ability to support SMB3.0, the ability to share virtual hard disks, Storage Quality of Service, virtual machine generation, and so on.

Windows Deployment Services

The Windows Deployment Services (WDS) role enables you to configure, manage, and deploy images for Windows operating systems over the network. WDS used the preboot execution environment (PXE) function of network adapters. In the new release, Microsoft has included support for the latest operating systems, including Windows 8.1 and Server 2012 R2. Also included is improved support for virtual images, multicasting, driver provisioning, PowerShell scripting support, and so on.

Windows Server Update Services

The Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) role provides a centralized tool to manage and deployed the latest Microsoft product updates, security updates, and patches for your organization. In previous releases, WSUS was available via download. In 2012 R2 Microsoft has included this as an optional role available using Server Manager. New functionality for 2012 T2 includes PowerShell support, additional security included a SHA256 hash capability, and the separation of client and server using different versions of the windows update agent (WUA).

Application Server

The application server role is used in conjunction with customer-developed applications used by a business. It is typically associated with web servers.

DNS Server

The domain Name Server (DNS) role is responsible for name resolution for the internal network as well as Internet resources. DNS is a critical component for AD DS and other applications or services integrated with the domain.

DHCP Server

The dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) server role is responsible for managing and configuring the automated configuration of IP addresses on clients. New to Server 2012 R2 is a DHCP failover option allowing two server to share DHCP configurations for the purpose of redundancy. Secondly, Server 2012 R2 provides support for policy-based DHCP configurations. Clients can be assigned specific IP address ranges based on criteria such as client vendor type. Additional PowerShell options are also available for managing DHCP 2012 R2.

Fax Server

The fax server role provides services for sending and receiving faxes.

Network Policy and Access Services

The network policy and access services roles provide network access protection (NAP), 802.1X authentication, and central policy management using RADIUS. Unlike Windows Server 2008 R2, Server 2012 R2 includes PowerShell support for this role.

Print and Document Services

The print and document services role provides the ability to share and manage printers on the network. New Functionality for 2012 R2 include the ability to support direct printing to branch offices, secure printing, high availability printing, and so on.

Remote Access (Includes Routing)

The remote access role provides the ability for DirectAccess and RRAS. DirectAccess provides a seamless remote access method without requiring a virtual private network (VPN). The remote access server role allows for centralized administration, configuration, and monitoring of DirectAccess and any VPN-based services. Some differences in 2012 R2 include support for multiple domains, load balancing, support for Server Core and PowerShell, and so on.