Windows Server 2012 R2 Lab Report

Virtual Labs Report

At the start of this lab, there were seven main things that had to be done: Get updates for other Microsoft products, Set up Server Backup, Set up Remote Web Access, Set options for sharing, Learn about centralized storage, Set up alert email notification, and Get started with Microsoft Office 365. Before even getting into the virtual lab the most difficult task for me was to get passed the loading screen, for some odd reason I tried the lab multiple times before actually being able to get into the virtual lab. There seemed to be a lot of glitches with the connection from the labs. It could have been an Internet connection problem, or it could have been the lab itself, but that was one of the problems that I had while starting up this assignment. Next when I actually got into the virtual lab, I was able to get onto the main screen that showed all of the tasks that I have just listed above.

However, once I got to the main page, again the connection was very poor. I had to wait several minutes before being able to complete the first task. As the first task did not load properly either, after I had clicked on it multiple times it finally loaded and I was able to complete the first task. What had happened during the first task in the lab was that the computer was detecting if there were any updates that needed to be done for any Microsoft products on the computer. If there were products that needed to be updated the computer would prompt me to update the products then I would be able to move onto the next step. Since there were no updates that needed to be made, I was able to check the first task off and move onto setting up a Server Backup.

In this second step I learned that you should set up a server backup for a routinely backup for your server and data just in case if there were anything to ever happen you would be able to go into the server and get back what you have lost. The first thing that I had to do was pick a backup destination, the items to backup, and then a schedule for when I would like to frequently back the items up. I think that this is a very crucial step for businesses because if anything were to ever happen to their information and data they should always have it backed up and stored somewhere safe so that they will be able to access it again. It is also nice that once the backup is scheduled for a certain time it will automatically backup by itself instead of having someone manually configure a back up over and over again.

After setting up a Server Backup, the next step following was to set up a Remote Web Access. In this step I learned that in order to have a stable web connection or Internet connection a business must have a connection to a Router. Because without a router there would not be a connection to the Internet unless if it is wireless, but even then the wireless connection must still also come from a source. The virtual lab gave two options for connecting a router, either automatically where the computer would have to search for a router and connect or manually where you input the information for your router then the computer will verify that connection and connect. I chose the option to have the router connect automatically and the computer searched for a router and set it up instead of me having to do it manually. The remote web access also allows for people to access the data and information securely through its web access from virtually any computer just as long as they are actually a user of the web server.

Once the router was set up and connected, the next thing for me to do was to set up options for sharing. In this step, I had two options to choose from as well. I’m not exactly too sure what the two options were but one was recommended and the other was just another option. I chose to go with the one that was recommended and it prompted me to Add a User Account. You had to type in the user name and password and choose a level of access for the user that you have just added. The options were to either have the user as an administrator or just a standard user. This step allows for the user depending on the level of access that they have to adjust anything that needs to be adjusted on the computer or have access to certain areas. Usually the person that is the administrator will get more access to a lot more information and data versus someone who is just a standard user. This is also another important thing that I noticed while going through the virtual lab, the amount of authority that someone is given should be very closely monitored because of the information they are able to access.

Then the next step is to learn about the Centralized Storage. The centralized storage area is a place that people or businesses are able to store their information. It works closely with the server backup and it helps protect the data server that stores the information. Basically when the server backup occurs the data and information that is being backed up is going to a certain destination. That destination where the data happens to be going is to the centralized storage area. With this function a businessperson would be able to access files from any computer even if they are not in the office or vicinity that they work in. It allows for a secure and protected access.

The sixth task was to set up an alert email notification. What this function does is that it sets up an email system where the user inputs an email and every time there are something new, updates need to be made or any other type of alert the system will automatically email that email stored an alert. The option allows for more than one email to be alerted and in order to have multiple recipients for an email alert you would just have to type in each email followed by a semi-colon for another email. These alerts might be useful in case that there are new updates that need to be made for the system to run smoothly or any other changes that might effect the server directly.

Finally the last task was to get started with Microsoft Office 365. In this step I just learned about the different products that are associated with Microsoft Office 365 and how to use some of these products. This step was one that I already know most about because I use Microsoft office products almost on a daily basis. Some products include Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and so forth. These tools are specifically designed so business to help them achieve their goals every day and for their business to have an organized and smooth operation in any team or field that they work in. With Microsoft Office 365 you are able to access your tasks anywhere and complete them even on mobile devices just as long as you have the app and connection for it. This is also something that I think is very important for any kind of business to have. Microsoft Office 365 is easy to use, easy to setup and manage, professional, and teamwork based.

There were many things that I learned from doing this virtual lab assignment, mainly that all of these components are necessary and vital for most businesses to run smoothly and operate in an organized manner. These tasks are some things that an IT person in the business would have to oversee and operate and it is something that closely relates to the field that I am in since I am a business major with a concentration in Management Information Systems. So it was really nice to be able to learn about this lab and I can definitely see myself using this in the near future for references and so forth to expand more on my knowledge about Server Management and Monitoring. The only thing that I would have a problem with is the connection to this lab; I would like it to be more smooth and less glitches.