Module 2Implementing Advanced File

Services

Module Overview

Configuring iSCSI StorageConfiguring BranchCache•Optimizing Storage Usage

Lesson 1: Configuring iSCSI Storage

What Is iSCSI?iSCSI Target Server and iSCSI InitiatorImplementing High Availability for iSCSIiSCSI Security OptionsDemonstration: Configuring an iSCSI TargetDemonstration: Connecting to the iSCSI Storage•Considerations for Implementing iSCSI Storage

What Is iSCSI?iSCSI transmits SCSI commands over IP networks

Component Description

IP network Provides high performance and redundancy

iSCSI targets

Run on the storage device and enable access to the disks

iSCSI initiators

A software component or host adapter on the server that provides access to iSCSI targets

IQNA globally unique identifier used to address initiators and targets on an iSCSI network

iSCSI client that runs the iSCSI Initiator

iSCSI Target Server

Storage Array

TCP/

IP p

roto

col

iSCSI Target Server and iSCSI Initiator

The iSCSI target server• Is available as a role service in Windows Server 2012• Provides the following features:

• Network/diskless boot• Server application storage• Heterogeneous storage• Lab environments

• Windows Server 2012 R2 features include:• Virtual disks• Manageability• Scalability limits• Local mount functionality

• Support for VHDX• Improved manageability• Improved scalability• Local mount functionality deprecated

iSCSI Target Server and iSCSI Initiator

The iSCSI initiator• Runs as a service in the operating system• Is installed by default on Windows 8 and Windows Server 2012• iSCSI targets can be discovered using multiple methods that include:• SendTargets• iSNS• Manually configured targets• HBA discovery

Implementing High Availability for iSCSI

Two technologies for implementing iSCSI for high availability are:• MCS, in the event of a failure, all outstanding iSCSI commands are reassigned to another connection automatically• MPIO, if you have multiple network interface cards in your iSCSI initiator and iSCSI target server, you can use MPIO to provide failover redundancy in the event of network outages

iSCSI Security Options

Mitigate security risks to iSCSI by the following best practices:•Segregate the iSCSI SAN channel•Secure management consoles•Disable unneeded services•Use CHAP authentication•Use IPsec authentication•Use IPsec encryption

Demonstration: Configuring an iSCSI TargetIn this demonstration, you will see how to:•Add the iSCSI target server role service•Create two iSCSI virtual disks and an iSCSI target

Demonstration: Connecting to the iSCSI StorageIn this demonstration, you will see how to:•Connect to the iSCSI target•Verify the presence of the iSCSI drive

Considerations for Implementing iSCSI StorageConsider the following when designing your iSCSI storage solution:• Deploy the solution on fast networks• Design a highly available network infrastructure for your iSCSI

storage solution.• Design an appropriate security strategy for the iSCSI storage

solution• Follow the vendor-specific best practices for different types of

deployments• The iSCSI storage solution team must contain IT

administrators from different areas of specialization • Design application-specific iSCSI storage solutions together

with application-specific adminstrators, such as Exchange Server and SQL Server administrators

Lesson 2: Configuring BranchCache

How Does BranchCache Work?BranchCache RequirementsConfiguring BranchCache Server SettingsConfiguring BranchCache Client SettingsDemonstration: Configuring BranchCache•Monitoring BranchCache

How Does BranchCache Work?

Head Office Branch Office(Hosted Cache Mode)

Branch Office(Distributed Cache Mode)

BranchCache Requirements

Requirements for using BranchCache

Requirements for the modes

•Install the BranchCache feature or the BranchCache for Network Files feature on the server that is hosting the content

•Configure client computers by using either Group Policy or the netsh command

•In distributed cache mode, the content cache at a branch office is distributed between client computers

•In hosted cache mode, the content cache at the branch office is hosted on one or more server computers that are hosted cache servers

• Content versions:• V1 uses fixed file segment sizes• V2 uses smaller, variable size segments

Configuring BranchCache Server Settings

Install the BranchCache feature

Configuring the Web Server

1. Install BranchCache for Network Files role service

2. Enable BranchCache on the server

3. Enable BranchCache on file shares

Configuring the File Server

Add the BranchCache feature to the Windows Server 2012 server

Configuring the Hosted Cache Server

Configuring BranchCache Client Settings

To enable and configure BranchCache, do the following:

1. Enable BranchCache2. Enable distributed cache mode or hosted cache mode3. Configure the client firewall

You can modify BranchCache settings and perform additional configuration tasks, such as:• Setting the cache size• Setting the location of the hosted cache server• Clearing the cache• Creating and replicating a shared key for using in a server

cluster

Demonstration: Configuring BranchCache

In this demonstration, you will see how to:• Add BranchCache for the Network Files role service•Configure BranchCache in Local Group Policy Editor• Enable BranchCache for a file share

Monitoring BranchCache

The BranchCache monitoring tools include:•Get-BCStatus Windows Powershell cmdlet•Netsh branchcache shows status command• Event Viewer• Performance monitor counters

Lesson 3: Optimizing Storage Usage

What Is FSRM?What Is File Classification Management?What Are File Classification Properties?What Is a File Classification Rule?Demonstration: How to Configure Classification ManagementConsiderations for Using File Classification Options for Storage Optimization in Windows Server 2012Options for Storage OptimizationDemonstration: Configuring Data Deduplication• What Is Tiered Storage?

What Is FSRM?

You can use the FSRM to manage and classify data that is stored on file servers

FSRM features New FSRM features

•File classification infrastructure

•File management tasks•Quota management•File screening management

•Storage reports

•DAC•Manual classification•Access-denied assistance•File management tasks•Automatic classification

What Is File Classification Management?

• Classification management allows you to use an automated mechanism to create and assign classification properties to files

Payroll.xlsx

Classification Rule

IsConfidential

What Are File Classification Properties?

Classification properties are configurable values that can be assigned to files• Classification properties can be any of the following:• Yes/No• Date/Time• Number• Multiple choice list• Ordered list• String• Multi-string

What Is a File Classification Rule?

A rule applies classification properties to files based on information about the fileA classification rule contains the following information:• Rule enabled/disabled• Rule scope• Classification mechanism• Property to assign• Additional classification parameters

Demonstration: How to Configure Classification ManagementIn this demonstration, you will see how to:•Create a classification property•Create a classification rule•Modify the classification schedule

Considerations for Using File Classification Options for Storage Optimization in Windows Server 2012• When using file classification, consider the following:• How classification properties are stored• Movement can affect a file classification’s properties• The classification management process exists only in

Windows Server 2008 R2 and newer• Classification rules can conflict• Classification management cannot classify certain files

Options for Storage Optimization

The following options are available for storage optimization:• File access auditing allows for auditing of files for regulatory compliance, forensic analysis, monitoring and troubleshooting access issues• NFS data stores allows a Windows-based computer to act as an NFS server and share files in heterogeneous environments• Data deduplication allows more data to be stored using less space by replacing redundant copies of files with a reference to a single copy

Demonstration: Configuring Data DeduplicationIn this demonstration, you will see how to:•Add the Data Deduplication role service•Enable data deduplication•Test data deduplication

What Is Tiered Storage?

•Tiered storage uses a virtual disk that consists of at least one SSD and one hard disk drive•Two tiers are created:• Faster Tier (all the SSDs)• Standard Tier (all the hard disk drives)

•Heavily accessed files are automatically moved to the faster tier•Parallelized repair allows data to be rebuilt after a disk failure•The virtual disk may be fixed or thin provisioned•Thin provisioning and trim is enabled by default

Lab A: Implementing Advanced File ServicesExercise 1: Configuring iSCSI Storage•Exercise 2: Configuring the File Classification Infrastructure

Logon Information

Virtual machines: 20412C-LON-DC120412C-LON-SVR120412C-LON-SVR2

User name: Adatum\AdministratorPassword: Pa$$w0rd

Estimated Time: 75 minutes

Lab Scenario

As the A. Datum Corporation has expanded, the requirements for managing storage and shared file access have also expanded. Although the cost of storage has decreased significantly over recent years, the amount of data produced by the A. Datum business groups has increased even faster. The organization is considering alternate ways to decrease the cost of storing data on the network, and is considering options for optimizing data access in the new branch offices. The organization would also like to ensure that data that is stored on the shared folders is limited to company data, and that it does not include unapproved file types. As a senior server administrator at A. Datum, you are responsible for implementing the new file storage technologies for the organization. You will implement iSCSI storage to provide a less complicated option for deploying large amounts of storage.

Lab Review

Why would you implement MPIO together with iSCSI? What problems would you solve with this approach?Why must you have the iSCSI initiator component?•Why would you configure file classification for documents located in a folder such as a Corporate Documentation folder?

Lab B: Implementing BranchCache

Exercise 1: Configuring the Main Office Servers for BranchCacheExercise 2: Configuring the Branch Office Servers for BranchCacheExercise 3: Configuring Client Computers for BranchCache• Exercise 4: Monitoring BranchCacheLogon Information

Virtual machines: 20412C-LON-DC120412C-LON-SVR220412C-LON-CL120412C-LON-CL2

User name: Adatum\AdministratorPassword: Pa$$w0rd

Estimated Time: 40 Minutes

Lab Scenario

The A. Datum Corporation has deployed a new branch office, which has a single server. To optimize file access in branch offices, you must configure BranchCache. To reduce WAN use out to the branch office, you must configure BranchCache to cache data retrieved from the head office. You will also implement FSRM to assist in optimizing file storage.

Lab Review

•When would you consider implementing BranchCache into your own organization?