Windows Server Tips from ServerWatch

Nirmal Sharma is publishing a regular series of Windows Server 2008 Tips on Serverwatch.com. There are five tips so far, and they focus mainly on changes to Windows Server 2008 from previous versions of Windows Server.

'GlobalNames' Zone, A DNS Feature in Windows Server 2008
Microsoft developers have designed GlobalNames Zone (also called GNZ) to provide the same functionality as WINS. This is a step taken by Microsoft to retire WINS completely from the customer's networks.

DFS Offers New Functionality in Windows Server 2008
DFS in Windows Server 2008 has been improved. The DFSR, a service running in Windows Server 2008, can now be used to replicate SYSVOL contents. Previously, we had to use FRS for SYSVOL.

Command Line Tips, Windows Server 2008 Server Core
There is no GUI included in the Server Core. You must perform all the commands by using the command-line tools supplied with the Server Core. Here are few important ones.

Background Zone Loading, New Functionality in Win Server 2008 DNS
Microsoft has changed the behavior of DNS server in Windows Server 2008. Now, DNS server running on Windows Server 2008 loads the zone data from Active Directory while it restarts so that it can respond to the client requests coming to DNS server for other zones.

Remote Control in Windows Server 2008
RSAT (Remote Server Administration Tools) is available with Windows Server 2008 and enables remote management of Windows Server 2003 and Windows Server 2008 computers from a computer running Windows Server 2008.