8 Windows Server 2012 Books That IT Pros Rely On

After years of working closely with Windows Server environments, Dr. Rand Morimoto offers this thorough guide to mastering Windows Server 2012's complexities. You’ll find detailed insights on everything from migration strategies and Active Directory enhancements to leveraging Hyper-V virtualization and managing security policies. Chapters are rich with practical tips drawn from real-world implementations, making it a solid resource if you’re aiming to optimize or troubleshoot large-scale Windows Server deployments. This book suits intermediate to advanced IT professionals who want to deepen their operational expertise rather than beginners just starting out.

Drawing from decades of hands-on experience, Rand Morimoto and his coauthors offer a deep dive into Windows Server 2012’s most critical features, including its virtualization enhancements and advanced security tools. This guide walks you through real-world deployment challenges, from migrating legacy systems to optimizing Active Directory and PowerShell management. Each chapter shares practical insights, like configuring fault tolerance with clustering or securing remote access, making it a solid reference if you manage complex Windows environments. While dense, its focus on intermediate and advanced professionals ensures you gain nuanced skills for maintaining robust, scalable server infrastructures.

This tailored book explores Windows Server 2012 fundamentals alongside advanced features, crafted specifically to match your background and learning goals. It reveals core concepts such as server roles, Active Directory management, and virtualization, while delving into complex topics like high availability and security configurations. By focusing on your particular interests, it offers a personalized journey through the technical landscape of Windows Server 2012, bridging foundational knowledge with specialized areas you want to master. This approach ensures your learning experience is efficient, relevant, and deeply engaging, making complex server management accessible and practical for your unique needs.

What happens when decades of hands-on networking expertise meets Windows Server 2012 training? Greg Tomsho, with over 30 years in computer and networking fields and extensive teaching experience, crafted this guide to bridge certification preparation with practical skills. You’ll learn to install and configure Windows Server 2012/R2, covering essentials like Active Directory, Group Policy, TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, storage, and Hyper-V virtualization. This book suits IT professionals seeking both MCSE/MCSA exam readiness and real-world server administration competence, offering detailed chapters aligned to certification objectives without overwhelming newcomers or overlooking advanced topics.

After analyzing the evolving demands of Windows Server 2012 certification, J.C. Mackin developed this focused guide to help IT professionals upgrade their skills efficiently. Drawing on his credentials as a Microsoft Certified Trainer and extensive experience with certification prep, Mackin structures the book around exam objectives for Exam 70-417, blending core infrastructure knowledge with practical scenarios. You gain hands-on insight into configuring server roles, administering Active Directory, and managing network services, all essential for mastering Windows Server 2012. If you're aiming to transition from Windows Server 2008 certification or deepen your operational expertise, this book delivers targeted knowledge without fluff.

J.C. Mackin, an experienced IT consultant and certified trainer, wrote this book to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical skills in advanced Windows Server 2012 R2 configurations. You’ll learn how to configure high availability, manage storage solutions, and implement disaster recovery strategies, all organized around the objectives of Microsoft's Exam 70-412. The book challenges you with strategic scenarios that hone your decision-making and critical thinking, making it particularly useful if you’re preparing for MCSA or MCSE certification. If you work in enterprise environments managing Windows infrastructure, this book aligns well with your needs; however, beginners might find its depth challenging without prior experience.

This personalized book offers a tailored pathway for developing proficiency in Windows Server 2012 within 90 days. It explores essential server concepts, configurations, and administrative tasks, focusing on your interests and background to deliver a learning experience that aligns with your specific goals. The content reveals practical workflows, key features like Active Directory, networking, virtualization, and security aspects, all arranged to match your current skill level and desired expertise. By concentrating on your unique objectives, this book helps you efficiently build confidence in managing Windows Server 2012 environments, providing a focused synthesis of the platform's core components and operational demands.

Don Poulton and David Camardella bring their deep expertise in Windows technologies to this detailed guide aimed at mastering the MCSA 70-410 exam. You’ll learn how to install and configure Windows Server 2012, manage storage and permissions, and handle critical services like DHCP, DNS, and Active Directory Domain Services. The book’s structured chapters, exam preparation tasks, and challenging review questions help you pinpoint and strengthen weak areas, while the companion CD offers realistic practice tests for sharpening your skills. This book suits IT professionals preparing for certification exams and those seeking practical knowledge of Windows Server 2012 administration.

Drawing from their extensive expertise in virtualization technology, the authors provide a detailed walkthrough of Windows Server 2012 Hyper-V's architecture and deployment. You’ll learn how to configure Hyper-V hosts, create virtual workloads, and implement complex network architectures, with clear guidance on using both GUI and PowerShell for management and automation. The book also tackles advanced topics such as virtual SAN storage, guest clustering, and disaster recovery, making it especially useful for IT professionals managing enterprise or SMB environments. If you're responsible for deploying or maintaining Hyper-V virtualization solutions, this guide offers a solid technical foundation without unnecessary fluff.

Charlie Russel, a Microsoft MVP with a diverse background spanning chemistry, electrical work, and system administration, crafted this guide to address the precise needs of IT professionals managing Windows Server 2012 R2 environments. You’ll gain mastery over deploying and maintaining servers, configuring network services and policies, and managing Active Directory and Group Policy with a focus on real-world application. The book’s structure aligns with Microsoft Exam 70-411 objectives, challenging you with strategic scenarios that deepen your decision-making skills. If you’re an experienced IT pro aiming to solidify your expertise in Windows Server 2012 R2 administration, this book offers targeted insights without unnecessary fluff.