Microsoft's new version of the MCSA certification for Windows Server 2012 R2 requires passing three exams. This value-priced study guide includes more than 1,000 pages of quality exam-prep content, covering 100 percent of the objective domains of all three exams (as well as the Upgrade exam, 70-417). Also includes more than 500 practice questions.
You also have access to an interactive practice test environment, electronic flashcards, and videos showing how to perform the more difficult tasks. Both first-time MCSA candidates and those wishing to upgrade from Server 2008 certification will benefit from this complete test-prep guide.
• Completely updated to cover the Windows Server 2012 R2 Exams
• Provides a comprehensive study guide for all three MCSA Windows Server 2012 exams: 70-410, 70-411, and 70-412, as well as the Upgrade exam: 70-417
• Covers installing and configuring Windows Server 2012; deploying and configuring DNS service; administering Active Directory; creating and managing Group Policy Objects; and configuring server roles and features, Hyper-V, and core networking services
• Explains basic networking concepts, DHCP, deploying and maintaining servers, configuring a network policy server infrastructure and high availability in Windows Server 2012, and much more
• Features real-world scenarios, hands-on exercises, practice exams, electronic flashcards, and over an hour of video demonstrations
• Covers all exam objectives

MCSA Windows Server 2012 R2 Complete Study Guide arms you with all the information you must master to achieve MCSA certification on Windows Server 2012 R2.

About the Author

William Panek, MCT, MCSE is a Microsoft MVP and founder of Stellacon Corporation, a Microsoft Certified Gold Partner and a Certified Learning Solutions Provider, and leading training provider on the East Coast. Prior to founding Stellacon, William was an instructor for The Training Associates, instructing at such schools as Boston University, Clark University, New Horizons, just to name a few. William brings years of real world expertise to the classroom and strives to ensure that each and every student has an understanding of the course material. Will has authored numerous Microsoft certification books, including the previous edition of this book, MCTS: Windows 7 Configuration Study Guide, 2nd Edition, MCTS: Windows Server 2008 Active Directory Configuration Study Guide, MCTS: Windows Server Network Infrastructure Configuration Study Guide, and MCTS: Windows Server 2008 R2 Complete Study Guide, all by Sybex.

Table of Contents:
Introduction Assessment Test Part I Exam 70-410: Installing and Configuring Windows Server 2012 R2 Chapter 1 Install Windows Server 2012 R2 Features and Advantages of Windows Server 2012 and Server 2012 R2 Planning the Windows Server 2012 R2 Installation Server Roles in Windows Server 2012 R2 Migrating Roles and Features to Windows Server 2012 R2 Roles and Features That Have Been Reduced in Windows Server 2012 R2 Deciding Which Windows Server 2012 R2 Versions to Use Deciding on the Type of Installation NIC Teaming Installing Windows Server 2012 R2 Using Windows Deployment Services Understanding Features On Demand Storage in Windows Server 2012 R2 Initializing Disks Configuring Basic and Dynamic Disks Managing Volumes Storage Spaces in Windows Server 2012 R2 Redundant Array of Independent Disks Mount Points Microsoft MPIO iSCSI Internet Storage Name Service Fibre Channel Network Attached Storage Virtual Disk Service Summary Exam Essentials Review Questions Chapter 2 Configure Network Services Introducing DNS The Form of an IP Address Understanding Servers, Clients, and Resolvers Understanding the DNS Process Introducing DNS Database Zones Understanding Primary Zones Understanding Secondary Zones Understanding Active Directory Integrated DNS Understanding Stub Zones Global Name Zones Zone Transfers and Replication Advantages of DNS in Windows Server 2012 R2 Background Zone Loading Support for IPv6 Addresses Support for Read-Only Domain Controllers DNS Socket Pools DNS Cache Locking DNS Security Extensions DNS Devolution Zone Level Statistics Record Weighting Netmask Ordering DnsUpdateProxy Group Windows PowerShell Support Introducing DNS Record Types Start of Authority Records Name Server Records Host Record Alias Record Pointer Record Mail Exchanger Record Service (SRV) Record Configuring DNS Installing DNS Load Balancing with Round Robin Configuring a Caching-Only Server Setting Zone Properties Configuring Zones for Dynamic Updates Delegating Zones for DNS DNS Forwarding Manually Creating DNS Records DNS Aging and Scavenging Monitoring and Troubleshooting DNS Monitoring DNS with the DNS Snap-In Troubleshooting DNS Overview of DHCP Introducing the DORA Process Advantages and Disadvantages of DHCP Ipconfig Lease Options Understanding Scope Details Installing and Authorizing DHCP Installing DHCP Introducing the DHCP Snap-In Authorizing DHCP for Active Directory Creating and Managing DHCP Scopes Creating a New Scope in IPv4 Creating a New Scope in IPv6 Changing Scope Properties (IPv4 and IPv6) Changing Server Properties Managing Reservations and Exclusions Setting Scope Options for IPv4 Activating and Deactivating Scopes Creating a Superscope for IPv4 Creating IPv4 Multicast Scopes Integrating Dynamic DNS and IPv4 DHCP Using Multiple DHCP Servers Working with the DHCP Database Files Summary Exam Essentials Review Questions Chapter 3 Plan and Install Active Directory Verifying the File system Resilient File System (ReFS) NTFS Verifying Network Connectivity Basic Connectivity Tests Tools and Techniques for Testing Network Configuration Understanding Domain and Forest Functionality About the Domain Functional Level About Forest Functionality Planning the Domain Structure Installing Active Directory Adprep Active Directory Prerequisites The Installation Process Deploying Active Directory IaaS in Windows Azure Verifying Active Directory Installation Using Event Viewer Using Active Directory Administrative Tools Testing from Clients Creating and Configuring Application Data Partitions Creating Application Data Partitions Managing Replicas Removing Replicas Using ntdsutil to Manage Application Data Partitions Configuring DNS Integration with Active Directory Summary Exam Essentials Review Questions Chapter 4 Configure Windows Server 2012 R2 Understanding File Servers Configuring File Servers Sharing Folders Making Active Directory Objects Available to Users Access-Based Enumeration Configuring Offline Files Volume Shadow Copy Services Configuring Permissions Configuring Disk Quotas Configuring Print Services Creating and Publishing Printers Configuring Printers Migrating Print Servers Printer Pooling Easy Print Driver Configuring Remote Management Windows Remote Management Windows PowerShell Configuring Down-Level Servers Configuring Server Core Summary Exam Essentials Review Questions Chapter 5 Administer Active Directory An Overview of OUs The Purpose of OUs Benefits of OUs Planning the OU Structure Logical Grouping of Resources Understanding OU Inheritance Delegating Administrative Control Applying Group Policies Creating OUs Managing OUs Moving, Deleting, and Renaming OUs Administering Properties of OUs Delegating Control of OUs Troubleshooting OUs Creating and Managing Active Directory Objects Overview of Active Directory Objects Managing Object Properties Understanding Groups Filtering and Advanced Active Directory Features Moving, Renaming, and Deleting Active Directory Objects Resetting an Existing Computer Account Publishing Active Directory Objects Making Active Directory Objects Available to Users Publishing Printers Publishing Shared Folders Querying Active Directory Using the Active Directory Administrative Center Using the Command Prompt for Active Directory Configuration Summary Exam Essentials Review Questions Chapter 6 Manage GPOs Introducing Group Policy Understanding Group Policy Settings The Security Settings Section of the GPO Group Policy Objects Group Policy Inheritance Planning a Group Policy Strategy Implementing Group Policy Creating GPOs Linking Existing GPOs to Active Directory Managing Group Policy Managing GPOs Security Filtering of a Group Policy Delegating Administrative Control of GPOs Controlling Inheritance and Filtering Group Policy Assigning Script Policies Understanding the Loopback Policy Managing Network Configuration Automatically Enrolling User and Computer Certificates in Group Policy Redirecting Folders Managing GPOs with Windows PowerShell Group Policy Cmdlets Deploying Software Through a GPO The Software Management Life Cycle The Windows Installer Deploying Applications Implementing Software Deployment Preparing for Software Deployment Software Restriction Policies Using AppLocker Group Policy Slow Link Detection Publishing and Assigning Applications Applying Software Updates Verifying Software Installation Configuring Automatic Updates in Group Policy Configuring Software Deployment Settings The Software Installation Properties Dialog Box Removing Programs Microsoft Windows Installer Settings Troubleshooting Group Policies RSoP in Logging Mode RSoP in Planning Mode Using the gpresult.exe Command Summary Exam Essentials Review Questions Chapter 7 Manage Security Managing Security Understanding Security Principals Managing Security and Permissions Using ACLs and ACEs Configuring User Account Control Delegating Control of Users and Groups Understanding Dynamic Access Control Using Group Policy for Security Implementing an Audit Policy Overview of Auditing Implementing Auditing Using the Auditpol.exe Command Features of Windows Server 2012 R2 Auditing Configuring Windows Firewall Options Summary Exam Essentials Review Questions Chapter 8 Configure TCP/IP Understanding TCP/IP Details of the TCP/IP Model How TCP/IP Layers Communicate Understanding Port Numbers Understanding IP Addressing The Hierarchical IP Addressing Scheme Understanding Network Classes Subnetting a Network Implementing Subnetting An Easier Way to Apply Subnetting Applying Subnetting the Traditional Way Working with Classless Inter-Domain Routing Supernetting Understanding IPv6 IPv6 History and Need New and Improved IPv6 Concepts IPv6 Addressing Concepts IPv6 Integration/Migration Summary Exam Essentials Review Questions Chapter 9 Use Virtualization in Windows Server 2012 Hyper-V Overview What Is Virtualization? Hyper-V Features Hyper-V Architecture Hyper-V Requirements Hyper-V Installation and Configuration Install the Hyper-V Role Hyper-V in Server Manager Using Hyper-V Manager Configure Hyper-V Settings Manage Virtual Switches Managing Virtual Hard Disks Configuring Virtual Machines Creating and Managing Virtual Machines Summary Exam Essentials Review Questions Part II Exam 70-411: Administering Windows Server 2012 R2 Chapter 10 Manage and Maintain Servers Using Windows Deployment Services Configuring Windows Server Update Services Windows Update Windows Automatic Updates Using Windows Server Update Services Overview of Windows Server 2012 R2 Performance Monitoring Using Windows Server 2012 R2 Performance Tools Introducing Performance Monitor Using Other Performance-Monitoring Tools Summary Exam Essentials Review Questions Chapter 11 Manage File Services Configuring File Server Resource Manager FSRM Features Installing the FSRM Role Service Configure File and Disk Encryption Using BitLocker Drive Encryption Features of BitLocker Windows 7 and 2008 R2 vs. Windows 8 and 2012 R2 Using EFS Drive Encryption Configuring Distributed File System Advantages of DFS Types of DFS What's New in Windows Server 2012 R2 Remote Differential Compression Implementing an Audit Policy Overview of Auditing Implementing Auditing Viewing Auditing Information Using the Auditpol.exe Command Windows Server 2012 R2 Auditing Features Making Active Directory Objects Available to Users Configuring Offline Folders Summary Exam Essentials Review Questions Chapter 12 Configure DNS 555 Introducing DNS The Form of an IP Address Understanding Servers, Clients, and Resolvers Understanding the DNS Process Introducing DNS Database Zones Understanding Primary Zones Understanding Secondary Zones Understanding Active Directory Integrated DNS Understanding Stub Zones GlobalName Zones Zone Transfers and Replication Advantages of DNS in Windows Server 2012 R2 Background Zone Loading Support for IPv6 Addresses Support for Read-Only Domain Controllers DNS Socket Pools DNS Cache Locking DNS Security Extensions DNS Devolution Record Weighting Netmask Ordering DnsUpdateProxy Group Introducing DNS Record Types Start of Authority (SOA) Records Name Server Records Host Record Alias Record Pointer Record Mail Exchanger Record Service Record Configuring DNS Installing DNS Load Balancing with Round Robin Configuring a Caching-Only Server Setting Zone Properties Configuring Zones for Dynamic Updates Delegating Zones for DNS DNS Forwarding Manually Creating DNS Records DNS Aging and Scavenging Monitoring and Troubleshooting DNS Monitoring DNS with the DNS Snap-In Troubleshooting DNS Integrating Dynamic DNS and IPv4 DHCP Summary Exam Essentials Review Questions Chapter 13 Configure Routing and Remote Access Overview of Dial-Up Networking What DUN Does How DUN Works Overview of Virtual Private Networks What VPNs Do VPNs and Windows Server 2012 R2 How VPNs Work Configuring Your Remote Access Server Configuring PPP Options Understanding a VPN How VPN Works Enabling RRAS as a VPN Configuring a VPN Configuring VPN Ports Troubleshooting VPNs Managing Your Remote Access Server Managing Remote Users with a RADIUS Server Monitoring Overall Activity Controlling Remote Access Logging Reviewing the Remote Access Event Log Monitoring Ports and Port Activity Network Address Translation Configuring a VPN Client The General Tab The Options Tab The Security Tab The Networking Tab The Sharing Tab Configuring a Web Application Proxy Publishing Applications Configuring Pass-Through Authentication Understanding DirectAccess DirectAccess vs. VPNs Understanding the DirectAccess Process Knowing the DirectAccess Infrastructure Requirements Summary Exam Essentials Review Questions Chapter 14 Configure a Network Policy Server Infrastructure Overview of Wireless Access Configuring Wireless Access Remote Access Security User Authentication Connection Security Access Control Configuring User Access Setting Up User Profiles Using Network Access Policies NPS as a RADIUS Proxy Server Importing and Exporting NPS Policies Using Remote Access Profiles Setting Up a VPN Network Access Policy Configuring Security Controlling Server Security Configuring Network Access Protection Summary Exam Essentials Review Questions Chapter 15 Configure and Manage Active Directory Active Directory Security Overview Understanding Active Directory Features Understanding Security Principals Managing Security and Permissions Using ACLs and ACEs Implementing Active Directory Security 7 Using User Templates Delegating Control of Users and Groups Understanding Dynamic Access Control Using Group Policy for Security Fine-Grained Password Policies Managing Multiple Domains Managing Single-Master Operations Forest Operations Masters Domain Operations Masters Assigning Single-Master Roles Seizing Roles Maintain Active Directory Overview of the Windows Server 2012 R2 Backup Utility Setting Up an Active Directory Backup Restoring Active Directory Active Directory Recycle Bin Restartable Active Directory Offline Maintenance Monitoring Replication Using the ADSI Editor Wbadmin Command Line Utility Summary Exam Essentials Review Questions Chapter 16 Configure and Manage Group Policy Introducing Group Policy Objects Understanding Group Policy Settings The Security Settings Section of the GPO Group Policy Objects Group Policy Inheritance Planning a Group Policy Strategy Implementing Group Policy Creating GPOs Linking Existing GPOs to Active Directory Forcing a GPO to Update Managing Group Policy Managing GPOs Security Filtering of a Group Policy Delegating Administrative Control of GPOs Controlling Inheritance and Filtering Group Policy Assigning Script Policies Understanding the Loopback Policy Managing Network Configuration Automatically Enrolling User and Computer Certificates in Group Policy Redirecting Folders Managing GPOs with Windows PowerShell Group Policy Cmdlets Item-Level Targeting Backup, Restore, Import, Copy, and Migration Tables Deploying Software Through a GPO The Software Management Life Cycle The Windows Installer Deploying Applications Implementing Software Deployment Preparing for Software Deployment Software Restriction Policies Using AppLocker Group Policy Slow Link Detection Publishing and Assigning Applications Applying Software Updates Verifying Software Installation Configuring Automatic Updates in Group Policy Configuring Software Deployment Settings The Software Installation Properties Dialog Box Removing Programs Microsoft Windows Installer Settings Troubleshooting Group Policies RSoP in Logging Mode RSoP in Planning Mode Using the gpresult.exe Command Summary Exam Essentials Review Questions Part III Exam 70-412: Configuring Advanced Windows Server 2012 R2 Services Chapter 17 Configure and Manage High Availability Components of High Availability Achieving High Availability High Availability Foundation Configure Network Load Balancing Install NLB Nodes Upgrading an NLB Cluster Achieving High Availability with Failover Clustering Failover Clustering Requirements Cluster Quorum Validating a Cluster Configuration Creating a Cluster Clustered Application Settings Resource Properties Windows Server 2012 R2 Clustering Features Summary Exam Essentials Review Questions Chapter 18 Configure File and Storage Solutions Configure Advanced File Services Configure the NFS Data Store Configure BranchCache Configure File Classification Infrastructure Using File Server Resource Manager Configure File Access Auditing Implement Dynamic Access Control Configure User and Device Claim Types Create and Configure Resource Properties and Lists Create and Configure Central Access Rules and Policies Configure File Classification Implement Policy Changes and Staging Perform Access-Denied Remediation Configure and Optimize Storage Configure iSCSI Target and Initiator Configure Internet Storage Name Server Implement Thin Provisioning and Trim Manage Server Free Space Using Features on Demand Configure Tiered Storage Summary Exam Essentials Review Questions Chapter 19 Implement Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery Protecting the System Backup and Recovery of Active Directory Overview of the Windows Server 2012 R2 Backup Utility Setting Up an Active Directory Backup Restoring Active Directory Active Directory Recycle Bin Restartable Active Directory Offline Maintenance Monitoring Replication Using the ADSI Editor Wbadmin Command-Line Utility Configure Windows Azure Backups Understanding Shadow Copies VssAdmin Command Using Advanced Boot Options Starting in Safe Mode Enabling Boot Logging Using Other Advanced Boot Options Menu Modes Windows Recovery Environment Configure Site-Level Fault Tolerance Using the Startup Repair Tool Summary Exam Essentials Review Questions Chapter 20 Configure Advanced Network Services Working with Advanced DHCP Configuration Options Create and Configure Superscopes Create and Configure Multicast Scopes Implement DHCPv6 Configure High Availability for DHCP Including DHCP Failover and Split Scopes Configure DHCP Name Protection Configure DNS Registration The Ins and Outs of DNS DNS Security Configure DNS Logging Configure Delegated Administration Configure Recursion Configure Netmask Ordering Configure a GlobalNames Zone Analyze Zone-Level Statistics IPAM Administration 101 Provision IPAM Manually or by Using Group Policy Configure Server Discovery Create and Manage IP Blocks and Ranges Monitor Utilization of IP Address Space Migrate to IPAM Delegate IPAM Administration Manage IPAM Collections Configure IPAM Database Storage Summary Exam Essentials Review Questions Chapter 21 Configure the Active Directory Infrastructure Overview of Network Planning The Three Types of Networks Exploring Network Constraints Overview of Active Directory Replication and Sites Replicating Active Directory Understanding Active Directory Site Concepts Understanding Distributed File System Replication Implementing Sites and Subnets Creating Sites Creating Subnets Configuring Sites Configuring Replication Intrasite Replication Intersite Replication RODCs and Replication Configuring Server Topology Using Universal Group Membership Caching Monitoring and Troubleshooting Active Directory Replication About System Monitor Troubleshooting Replication Reasons for Creating Multiple Domains Reasons for Using Multiple Domains Drawbacks of Multiple Domains Creating Domain Trees and Forests Planning Trees and Forests The Promotion Process Creating a Domain Tree Joining a New Domain Tree to a Forest Adding Additional Domain Controllers Demoting a Domain Controller Managing Multiple Domains Managing Single-Master Operations Forest Operations Masters Domain Operations Masters Assigning Single-Master Roles Managing Trusts Managing UPN Suffixes Name Suffix Routing Managing Global Catalog Servers Managing Universal Group Membership Caching Upgrading Existing Domains and Forests Summary Exam Essentials Review Questions Chapter 22 Configure Access and Information Protection Solutions What's New in Windows Server 2012 R2 with Active Directory Certificate Services? Active Directory Certificate Services Roles Planning the Certificate Authority Hierarchy Installing AD CS Configuring Active Directory Certificate Services Implement Active Directory Federation Services What Is a Claim? What's New for AD FS in Windows Server 2012 R2? Active Directory Federation Services Installation Workplace Join Device Registration Service Workplace Join Your Device Active Directory Rights Management Services Considerations and Requirements for AD RMS Installing AD RMS Managing AD RMS: AD RMS Service Connection Point Summary Exam Essentials Review Questions Appendix A Answers to Review Questions Chapter 1: Install Windows Server 2012 R2 Chapter 2: Configure Network Services Chapter 3: Plan and Install Active Directory Chapter 4: Configure Windows Server 2012 R2 Chapter 5: Administer Active Directory Chapter 6: Manage GPOs Chapter 7: Manage Security Chapter 8: Configure TCP/IP Chapter 9: Use Virtualization in Windows Server 2012 Chapter 10: Manage and Maintain Servers Chapter 11: Manage File Services Chapter 12: Configure DNS Chapter 13: Configure Routing and Remote Access Chapter 14: Configure a Network Policy Server Infrastructure Chapter 15: Configure and Manage Active Directory Chapter 16: Configure and Manage Group Policy Chapter 17: Configure and Manage High Availability Chapter 18: Configure File and Storage Solutions Chapter 19: Implement Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery Chapter 20: Configure Advanced Network Services Chapter 21: Configure the Active Directory Infrastructure Chapter 22: Configure Access and Information Protection Solutions Appendix B About the Additional Study Tools Additional Study Tools Sybex Test Engine Electronic Flashcards PDF of Glossary of Terms Adobe Reader System Requirements Using the Study Tools Troubleshooting Customer Care Index