Specifications

A Principled Technologies test report 11
Hardware upgrades to improve database, SharePoint, Exchange, and
file server performance with the Intel processor-powered Dell
PowerEdge T630
APPENDIX C – HOW WE TESTED
Configuring the Active Directory infrastructure server
Installing Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R2 Datacenter Edition
1. Insert the installation media into the CD/DVD drive, and restart the server.
2. When the option appears, press F11 to enter the Boot Manager.
3. Select SATA Optical Drive, and press Enter.
4. Press any key when prompted to boot from DVD.
5. When the installation screen appears, click My language is English.
6. Leave language, time/currency format and input method as default, and click Next.
7. Click Install now.
8. When the Windows® Setup window appears, click No thanks when prompted to go online to install updates.
9. Select Windows Server 2012 R2 Datacenter (Server with a GUI), and click Next.
10. Check I accept the license terms, and click Next.
11. Click Custom: Install Windows only (advanced).
12. Press Alt+A to open advanced partition options. Delete any partitions until there is only Drive 0 Unallocated
Space.
13. Select Drive 0 Unallocated Space, and click Next, at which point Windows will begin installing, and will restart
automatically after completing.
14. When the Settings page appears, fill in the Password and Reenter Password fields with the same password.
15. Log in with the previously set up password.
Configuring Windows Update
1. In the left pane of the Server Manager window, click Local Server.
2. In the main frame, next to Windows Update, click Not configured.
3. In the Windows Update window, in the main pane, click Let me choose my settings.
4. Under Important updates, select Never check for updates (not recommended), and then click OK.
5. In the left pane, click Check for updates, and install all available updates.
6. Close the Windows Update window.
Configuring Windows Firewall
1. In Server Manager, click ToolsWindows Firewall with Advanced Security.
2. In the Overview section, click Windows Firewall Properties.
3. In the Domain Profile tab, for Firewall state, click Off.
4. In the Private Profile tab, for Firewall state, click Off.
5. In the Public Profile tab, for Firewall state, click Off.
6. Click OK.
7. Close the Windows Firewall Properties window.
Setting up Remote Desktop
1. In the Local Server tab of the Server Manager window, next to Remote Desktop, click Disabled.
2. In the System Properties window that appears, in the Remote Desktop section, select the Allow remote
connections to this computer radio button, and click OK when the warning message appears.