Windows Server – Fine Grained Password Policies
KB ID 0000765 Problem Before server 2008 if you wanted more than one password policy, you had to create a sub domain just to do that! with Server 2008 we were given fine grained password policies, which were fine (if a little clunky), and involved you creating ‘Password Settings Objects’. They were a pain if you were not used to them e.g. five minutes is entered as 00:00:05:00. But now Microsoft have made things a LOT...
Windows Server 2012 and Windows 8 – Activation Error 0xC004F074
KB ID 0000766 Problem I jumped on a clients remote desktop services server today and saw; However when I went to activate; Windows couldn’t be activated Error Code: 0xC004F074 Error Description:the Software Licensing Service reported that the product could not be activated. No Key Management Service (KMS) could be contacted. Please see the Application Event Log for additional information. Solution Out of the box this version of...
Windows Server 2012 – RDP Server – How to get the ‘Start / Metro Screen’
KB ID 0000767 Problem When you RDP to a server running Windows Server 2012, in Remote Desktop Services (Terminal Server) mode. How do you get the start menu up? If you press the Windows Key or Ctrl+Esc, you get the menu on YOUR Machine? Solution Firstly, I know it’s not called the ‘Metro Interface’ any more, but that’s what everyone calls it! 1. Drag your mouse pointer off the bottom left hand side of the screen (1)...
Remote Desktop Services – RemoteApp Error ‘The remote computer could not be found. Please contact your helpdesk about this error’
KB ID 0000768 Problem While attempting to launch a web app from a Windows Server 2012 Remote Desktop Services (Terminal) server. Clients were greeted with the following; RemoteApp Disconnected The remote computer could not be found. Please contact your helpdesk about this error. Solution 1. On the Server, Start > RD Gateway Manager > Locate your server > right click > properties > Server farm > Type in the FQDN of...
Window Server – Configuring NIC Teaming
KB ID 0000786 Problem One great new feature of Server is bult in network ‘Teaming’. To do this normally takes some third party software, either form the server vendor (HP Teaming) or from the NIC manufacturer. It utilises a new Windows feature called LBFO, this lets you both aggregate links, and have links available in the event of failover. Note: NIC Teaming only supports up to 32 network cards. Solution 1. Launch Server...
Windows Server 2012 – Deploying SSTP VPNs
KB ID 0000819 Problem SSTP gives you the ability to connect to your corporate network from any location that has an internet connection, and is not filtering https. This port is usually open for normal secure web traffic. Traditional VPN connections require ports and protocols to be open for them to work, which makes a solution that runs over TCP port 443 attractive. Thoughts: While I can see why this is a good idea, Microsoft has...
Windows – Remote Desktop Error ‘An authentication error has occurred. The Local Security Authority cannot be contacted’
KB ID 0000826 Problem Update May 2018: This is Following ArticleIs Probably What You Are Looking For; Windows RDP: ‘An authentication error has occurred’ I saw this while attempting to create a remote desktop connection to a Windows 2012 Server. (Though connecting to Windows 8 will be the same). I’d only just set this server up, and knew I’d enabled RDP, and I was attempting to connect as the domain...
Direct Access – Error While Running The Remote Access Wizard
KB ID 0000839 Problem Seen on Windows Server 2012, when configuring direct access, while running the ‘Getting Started Wizard’ you have to choose the network topology. You have a choice of edge, behind an edge device (with 1 NIC), or behind an edge device (with 2 NICs). Each choice you make will present you with one of the following errors. An external adapter with a public IP address, IPv6 enabled and without a domain...
IIS: How to Create a Certificate Request
KB ID 0000840 Problem If you would like to obtain a digital certificate either from your own CA, or from a public certificate vendor, you need to submit a certificate signing request (csr) first. Solution Note: I’m making the assumption you have already installed the Web Server (IIS) role on your server. 1. Windows Key+R > iis.msc {Enter} > Select the servername > Server Certificates. 2. Create Certificate Request >...
Windows Server 2012 ‘Direct Access with Windows 8’
KB ID 0000842 Problem In the following procedure I’m using Window Server 2012, and Windows 8 Enterprise, I am NOT configuring for Windows 7 so I don’t need to worry about PKI and certificates. (Other than the one the direct access server uses for https identification). I’m not adding in any Application or Infrastructure servers, this is just a basic run through on setting up Direct Access to get you up and running....