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Microsoft® Windows® Home Server Unleashed
Second Edition
Covers PowerPacks 1, 2, and 3!
Paul McFedries
This is the most comprehensive, practical, and useful guide to Windows Home Server, including Microsoft’s major updates in PowerPacks 1, 2, and 3. Top Windows expert Paul McFedries brings together tips, techniques, and shortcuts available nowhere else and presents them all in plain English for every Windows Home Server user.
McFedries covers all facets of running Windows Home Server: configuration, file/folder sharing, networking, media streaming and sharing, backup/restore, monitoring, Web and SharePoint site deployment, performance optimization, maintenance, and customization. He thoroughly addresses Windows Home Server’s new Windows 7 support, as well as major improvements in areas ranging from remote access to storing TV recordings.
This edition presents comprehensive, up-to-the-minute guidance on Windows Home Server security, plus a full section of advanced solutions utilizing Microsoft’s power tools, the command line, and automated scripting. Throughout, McFedries demonstrates key techniques through real-world examples and presents practical configurations you can easily use in your own home.
Detailed information on how to…
Tune, maintain, and troubleshoot Windows Home Server
Use the new Remote Access Configuration and Repair Wizards
ON THE WEB:
Register your book at informit.com/title/9780672331060 to access all examples and source code presented in this book.
Category: Windows Server
Covers: Windows Home Server with PowerPacks 1, 2, 3
User Level: Intermediate–Advanced
Configuring Windows Home Server
Download the sample pages (includes Chapter 4 and Index)
Introduction
Part I Unleashing Windows Home Server Configuration
Chapter 1 Setting Up Your Windows Home Server Network
Configuring Windows Home Server for Networking
Changing the Windows Home Server Workgroup Name
Displaying the Network Icon in the Notification Area
Configuring Windows Home Server with a Static IP Address
Setting Up Windows Home Server as a DHCP Server
Viewing the Windows Home Server Network
Troubleshooting Network Problems
Checking Connection Status
Checking Network Utilization
Repairing a Network Connection
Working with Network Diagnostics
Troubleshooting Cables
Troubleshooting the Network Interface Card
Handling Multiple Network Subnets
Making a Remote Desktop Connection to the Server
Making Sure That Windows Home Server Is Ready to Host
Making the Connection to the Server
Disconnecting from the Server
From Here
Chapter 2 Setting Up and Working with User Accounts
Understanding Security Groups
Adding a New User
Setting the Password Length and Complexity
Customizing the Password Length Requirement
Building a Strong Password
Changing the Password on the Client
Adding the User Account
Synchronizing the Client and Windows Home Server Passwords
Automating Client Logons
Modifying User Accounts
Viewing Account Properties
Changing the Account Password
Disabling a User Account
Enabling a User Account
Removing a User Account
Changing the Account Name
Adding a User to a Group
Allowing a User to Log On to the Windows Home Server Desktop
From Here
Chapter 3 Adding Devices to the Windows Home Server Network
Installing Windows Home Server Connector on the Client Computers
Supported Operating Systems
Preparing to Install Windows Home Server Connector
Running the Windows Home Server Connector Setup Program on Windows 7 and Windows Vista
Running the Windows Home Server Connector Setup Program on Windows XP
Rediscovering the Windows Home Server
Using a Mac on Your Windows Home Server Network
Connecting to the Windows Home Server Network
Mounting a Windows Home Server Shared Folder
Backing Up Mac Data to a Windows Home Server Shared Folder
Using a Mac to Make a Remote Desktop Connection to Windows Home Server
Letting Windows Computers See Your Mac Shares
Using a Linux Client on Your Windows Home Server Network
Viewing the Windows Home Server Network in Ubuntu
Letting Windows Computers See Your Ubuntu Shares
Connecting Other Devices to the Windows Home Server Network
Connecting a Windows Mobile Device
Adding an Xbox 360 to the Network
Connecting a Kodak Wi-Fi Digital Picture Frame
From Here
Chapter 4 Configuring Windows Home Server
Changing the Name of the Home Server
Running the Windows Home Server Console
Changing the Date and Time on Windows Home Server
Setting the Current Date and Time
Synchronizing the Date and Time with a Time Server
Selecting the Windows Home Server Region
Changing the Region in the Windows Home Server Console
Customizing the Region Formats
Configuring Windows Update
Configuring Windows Update via the Windows Home Server Console
Configuring Windows Update via the Automatic Updates Control Panel
Updating Windows Home Server
Changing the Windows Home Server Password
Restarting or Shutting Down Windows Home Server
Configuring an Uninterruptible Power Supply
Configuring the Windows Home Server Startup
Editing BOOT.INI Directly
Using the System Configuration Editor to Modify BOOT.INI
Configuring Startup with the Advanced Options Menu
Launching Applications and Scripts at Startup
From Here
Chapter 5 Setting Up and Using Home Server Storage
Understanding Windows Home Server Storage
Simplicity: Saying Goodbye to Drive Letters
Flexibility: Expanding (or Contracting) the Data Pool
Safety: Using Duplication to Ensure No Data Is Lost
Understanding Drive Extender
Server Storage on a One-Drive System
Server Storage on a Two-Drive System
Server Storage on a Multi-Drive System
Setting the Primary Hard Drive
Adding Storage to the Home Server
Adding a Drive to the Storage Pool
Adding a Drive for Windows Home Server Backups
Viewing Storage Status
Repairing Storage
Removing Storage from the Home Server
Removing a Storage Hard Drive
Removing a Server Backup Hard Drive
From Here
Part II Unleashing Windows Home Server Networking
Chapter 6 Sharing Folders and Files on the Home Server
Examining the Predefined Windows Home Server Shares
Setting User Permissions on Shared Folders
Modifying Permissions for a Windows Home Server Shared Folder
Sharing Server Folders Outside Drive Extender
Creating a New Shared Folder
Toggling Duplication for a Shared Folder
Accessing the Windows Home Server Shared Folders
Understanding the Universal Naming Convention
Mapping a Shared Folder to a Local Drive Letter
Disconnecting a Mapped Network Folder
Creating a Network Location in Windows 7 and Windows Vista
Creating a Network Place in Windows XP
Copying Files to a Shared Folder
Publishing a Windows Vista Calendar to the Server
Publishing Your Calendar
Subscribing to a Calendar
Working with Shared Calendars
Viewing Share Storage History
Searching the Shared Folders
As-You-Type Searches with Desktop Search
Advanced Searches
Using Advanced Query Syntax to Search Properties
Deleting a Shared Folder
From Here
Chapter 7 Making Connections to Network Computers
Configuring a Computer as a Remote Desktop Host
Configuring a Windows 7 or Vista Host
Configuring an XP Host
Restricting the Computers That Can Connect to the Host
Connecting via Remote Desktop Connection
Getting the Client Computer Ready
Making the Connection to the Remote Desktop
Disconnecting from the Remote Desktop
Connecting via Windows Home Server Web Site Remote Access
Configuring Users for Remote Access
Activating Remote Access on the Server
Displaying the Remote Access Home Page
Making the Connection.
Disconnecting from the Host
Connecting via the Internet
Determining the Windows Home Server IP Address
Setting Up Port Forwarding on the Router
Configuring the Router By Hand
Determining the Router’s External IP Address
Using a Dynamic DNS Service
Obtaining a Domain Name from Microsoft
Displaying the Remote Access Home Page
Connecting to a Network Computer
Connecting to the Windows Home Server Console
Connecting to the Windows Home Server Desktop
Working with Windows Home Server Shares in the Web Browser
Enabling Drag-and-Drop Uploading
Customizing the Remote Access Web Pages
Setting Remote Access as the Default Home Page
Customizing the Website Headline
Customizing the Website Images
From Here
Chapter 8 Streaming and Sharing Digital Media
Streaming Digital Media to Network Computers and Devices
Getting Your Devices Ready
Activating Media Sharing in Windows Home Server
Connecting Devices
Playing Streamed Media in Windows Media Player.
Playing Streamed Media in Windows Media Center
Connecting Windows Media Center to Your Home Server
Sharing Photos
Customizing the Photos Share with a Template
Using Server Photos as a Screensaver Slideshow
Adding the Photos Folder to Windows Media Player
Adding the Photos Folder to Windows Live Photo Gallery
Adding the Photos Folder to Windows Photo Gallery
Running a Slide Show from the Photos Share
Changing the Default Picture Import Location to Windows Home Server
Sharing Music
Customizing the Music Share with a Template
Adding the Music Folder to Windows Media Player
Changing the Default Rip Location to Windows Home Server
Sharing Videos
Customizing the Videos Share with a Template
Adding the Videos Folder to Windows Media Player
Archiving Recorded TV on Windows Home Server
From Here
Chapter 9 Backing Up and Restoring Network Computers
Understanding Windows Home Server’s Backup Technology
Single Instance Storage
No Backup Types
Smarter Backups
Automatic Backup Management
Converting Client Partitions to NTFS
Format the Partition as NTFS
Run the CONVERT Utility
Configuring Windows Home Server Backups
Configuring the Backup Time
Configuring Automatic Backup Management
Configuring a Computer for Backup
Excluding a Disk Drive from a Backup
Excluding Folders from a Backup
Adding a New Hard Drive to a Backup
Turning Off Backups for a Computer
Running a Manual Backup
Cancelling a Running Backup
Backing Up Other Systems to Windows Home Server
Working with Backups
Viewing a Computer’s List of Backups
Viewing Backup Details
Preventing Windows Home Server from Deleting a Backup
Cleaning Up Old Backups
Browsing Backed-Up Files
Restoring Network Backups
Restoring Backed-Up Files
Restoring a Computer to a Previous Configuration
From Here
Chapter 10 Monitoring Your Network
Monitoring the Windows Home Server Status Icon
Monitoring the Icon Color
Monitoring Network Health Notifications
Monitoring the Windows Home Server Shares
Launching the Computer Management Snap-In
Viewing the Current Connections
Viewing Connections to Shared Folders
Viewing Open Files
Closing a User’s Session or File
Monitoring Remote Desktop Sessions
Starting the Terminal Services Manager
Viewing Remote Desktop Sessions
Sending a Message to a Remote Desktop Client
Disconnecting a Remote Desktop Session
Controlling the Administrator’s Desktop via Remote Control
Monitoring Users via Task Manager
From Here
Chapter 11 Implementing Windows Home Server Security
Enabling Security Auditing on Windows Home Server
Activating the Auditing Policies
Understanding the Auditing Policies
Tracking Auditing Events
More Ways to Secure Windows Home Server
Renaming the Administrator Account
Hiding the User Name in the Log On Dialog Box
Making Sure Windows Firewall Is Turned On
Disabling the Hidden Administrative Shares
Securing Network Computers
Monitoring Home Computer Security
Thwarting Spyware with Windows Defender
Protecting Yourself Against Email Viruses
Implementing Parental Controls
Creating Accounts for the Kids
Avoiding Phishing Scams
Sharing a Computer Securely
Implementing Wireless Network Security
From Here
Chapter 12 Setting Up a Windows Home Server Website
Understanding the Windows Home Server Default Website
Viewing the Default Website Folders
Viewing the Default Website with Internet Information Services Manager
Adding Folders and Files to the Default Website
Adding a File to a Default Website Folder
Adding a Folder to the Default Website
Creating a New Website
Creating a New Website Using a Different IP Address
Creating a New Website Using a Different Port
Creating a New Website Using a Host Header
Configuring a Website
Modifying the Website Identity
Giving a Website Multiple Identities
Changing the Website Location and Permissions
Setting the Default Content Page
Disabling Anonymous Access
Adding Site Links to the Home and Remote Access Pages
From Here
Chapter 13 Running a SharePoint Site on Windows Home Server
Installing and Configuring Windows SharePoint Services
Downloading and Installing SharePoint Services 3.0
Running the Initial SharePoint Services 3.0 Configuration
Creating a New SharePoint Web Application
Creating a Top-Level SharePoint Site
Deleting the Default SharePoint Web Application
Restarting the Windows Home Server Default Website
Adding a Firewall Exception for the SharePoint Web Application Port
Forwarding the SharePoint Port in Your Router
Adding Users to the Top-Level SharePoint Site
Logging On to the Top-Level SharePoint Site
Adding Sites to SharePoint
Adding a Top-Level Site
Adding a Subsite
Working with Site Settings
Customizing a Site
Working with Users
Working with Groups
Working with Permissions
Deleting a Site
Creating Content for a SharePoint Site
Storing Images in a Picture Library
Tracking Appointments with a Calendar
Maintaining a List of Contacts
Keeping a List of Web Page Links
Managing Permissions for Content
Deleting Content from a Site
From Here
Part III Unleashing Windows Home Server Performance and Maintenance
Chapter 14 Tuning Windows Home Server Performance
Monitoring Performance
Monitoring Performance with Task Manager
Monitoring Performance with System Monitor
Optimizing the Hard Disk
Examining Hard Drive Performance Specifications
Performing Hard Drive Maintenance
Disabling Compression and Encryption
Turning Off Windows Search
Enabling Write Caching.
Optimizing Virtual Memory
Customizing the Paging File Size
Watching the Paging File Size
Changing the Paging File’s Size
Defragmenting the Paging File
Optimizing Applications
Adding More Memory
Optimizing Application Launching
Getting the Latest Device Drivers
Setting the Program Priority in Task Manager
More Optimization Tricks
Adjusting Power Options
Eliminate the Use of Visual Effects
Optimizing Windows Home Server for Services and the System Cache
Optimizing Network Data Throughput for File Sharing
Upgrading Your Device Drivers
From Here
Chapter 15 Maintaining Windows Home Server
Checking System Uptime
Displaying Uptime with the SYSTEMINFO Command
Displaying Uptime with Performance Monitor
Displaying Uptime with a Script
Checking Your Hard Disk for Errors
Understanding Clusters
Understanding Lost Clusters
Understanding Invalid Clusters
Understanding Cross-Linked Clusters
Understanding Cycles
Understanding Windows Home Server’s Automatic Disk Checking
Running Check Disk
Checking Free Disk Space on the System Drive
Deleting Unnecessary Files from the System Drive
Defragmenting the System Drive
Reviewing Event Viewer Logs
Exporting Event Logs to a Database
Setting Up a Maintenance Schedule
From Here
Chapter 16 Customizing the Windows Home Server Interface
Making the Start Menu More Efficient
Activating the Frequent Programs List
Getting More Favorite Programs on the Start Menu
Adding the Internet and E-Mail Icons
Pinning a Favorite Program Permanently to the Start Menu
Streamlining the Start Menu by Converting Links to Menus
Adding, Moving, and Removing Other Start Menu Icons
Making the Taskbar More Efficient
Displaying the Built-In Taskbar Toolbars
Setting Some Taskbar Toolbar Options
Creating New Taskbar Toolbars
Creating a Taskbar Toolbar for Launching Programs and Documents
Improving Productivity by Setting Taskbar Options
Controlling Taskbar Grouping
Modifying the Start Menu and Taskbar with Group Policies
Customizing the Color Quality and Resolution
Setting the Screensaver
Selecting a Screensaver
Creating an Instant Screensaver
Customizing the Desktop Colors, Fonts, and Sizes
Selecting a Color Scheme
Creating a Custom Color Scheme
Creating Custom Colors
Changing the Effects Properties
From Here
Chapter 17 Troubleshooting Windows Home Server
Replacing Your System Hard Drive.
Restoring a Windows Home Server Backup
Understanding Troubleshooting Strategies
Did You Get an Error Message?
Does an Error or Warning Appear in the Event Viewer Logs?
Does an Error Appear in System Information?
Did the Error Begin with a Past Hardware or Software Change?
Did You Recently Edit the Registry?
Did You Recently Change Any Windows Settings?
Did Windows Home Server “Spontaneously” Reboot?
Did You Recently Change Any Application Settings?
Did You Recently Install a New Program?
Did You Recently Install a New Device?
Did You Recently Install an Incompatible Device Driver?
Did You Recently Apply an Update from Windows Update?
Did You Recently Install a Windows Home Server Hotfix or Power Pack?
General Troubleshooting Tips
Troubleshooting Using Online Resources
Troubleshooting Device Problems
Troubleshooting with Device Manager
Troubleshooting Device Driver Problems
Tips for Downloading Device Drivers
Troubleshooting Resource Conflicts
Verifying Digitally Signed Files
Troubleshooting Startup
When to Use the Various Advanced Startup Options
Using Safe Mode
Using Safe Mode with Networking
Using Safe Mode with Command Prompt
Using Enable Boot Logging
Using Enable VGA Mode
Using Last Known Good Configuration
Using Directory Services Restore Mode
Using Debugging Mode
What to Do If Windows Home Server Won’t Start in Safe Mode
Troubleshooting Startup Using the System Configuration Utility
Reinstalling Windows Home Server
From Here
Part IV Unleashing Windows Home Server Advanced Tools
Chapter 18 Working with the Windows Home Server Registry
Starting the Registry Editor
Navigating the Registry
Navigating the Keys Pane
Understanding Registry Settings
Getting to Know the Registry’s Root Keys
Understanding Hives and Registry Files
Keeping the Registry Safe
Backing Up the Registry
Protecting Keys by Exporting Them to Disk
Working with Registry Entries
Changing the Value of a Registry Entry
Renaming a Key or Setting
Creating a New Key or Setting
Deleting a Key or Setting
Finding Registry Entries
From Here
Chapter 19 Using Windows Home Server’s Command-Line Tools
Getting to the Command Line
Running CMD
Opening a Folder in a Command Prompt Session
Working at the Command Line
Running Commands
Working with Long Filenames
Changing Folders Faster
Taking Advantage of DOSKEY
Redirecting Command Output and Input
Piping Commands
Understanding Batch File Basics
Creating Batch Files
REM: Adding Comments to a Batch File
ECHO: Displaying Messages from a Batch File
PAUSE: Temporarily Halting Batch File Execution
Using Batch File Parameters
FOR: Looping in a Batch File
GOTO: Jumping to a Line in a Batch File
IF: Handling Batch File Conditions
Working with the Command-Line Tools
Working with Disk Management Tools
Working with File and Folder Management Tools
Working with System Management Tools
From Here
Chapter 20 Using Other Windows Home Server Power Tools
Using the Group Policy Object Editor
Working with Group Policies
Customizing the Windows Security Dialog Box
Customizing the Places Bar
Increasing the Size of the Recent Documents List
Enabling the Shutdown Event Tracker
Getting More Out of Control Panel
Reviewing the Control Panel Icons
Understanding Control Panel Files
Alternative Methods for Opening Control Panel Icons
Putting Control Panel on the Taskbar
Displaying Control Panel in My Computer
Removing an Icon from Control Panel
Showing Only Specified Control Panel Icons
Configuring the Microsoft Management Console
Launching the MMC
Adding a Snap-In.
Saving a Console
Creating a Custom Taskpad View
Controlling Snap-Ins with Group Policies
Controlling Services
Controlling Services with the Services Snap-In
Controlling Services at the Command Prompt
Controlling Services with a Script
Setting Up a Fax Server
Installing the Fax Service
Starting the Fax Console
Configuring the Fax Service
Examining the Fax Console
Sending a Fax
Receiving Faxes
Routing a Received Fax
From Here
Chapter 21 Scripting Windows Home Server
Understanding Windows Script Host
Running Scripts
Running Script Files Directly
Using WScript for Windows-Based Scripts
Using CScript for Command-Line Scripts
Script Properties and .wsh Files
Programming Objects
Working with Object Properties
Working with Object Methods
Assigning an Object to a Variable
Working with Object Collections
Programming the WScript Object
Displaying Text to the User
Shutting Down a Script
Scripting and Automation
Programming the WshShell Object
Referencing the WshShell Object
Displaying Information to the User
Running Applications
Working with Shortcuts
Working with Registry Entries
Working with Environment Variables
Programming the WshNetwork Object
Referencing the WshNetwork Object
WshNetwork Object Properties
Mapping Network Printers
Mapping Network Drives
Programming the Windows Management Instrumentation Service
Referencing the WMI Service Object
Returning Class Instances
From Here
Part V Appendixes
Appendix A Glossary
Appendix B Windows Home Server Keyboard Shortcuts
Appendix C Windows Home Server Online Resources
9780672331060 TOC 3/12/2010