10 must-have Windows server tools

Over the years, Microsoft has given us a staggering number of tools to help with server administration. Since there are so many tools available, I decided to talk about some of my favorites.

Note: This article is also available as PDF download and as a photo gallery.

1: System Center Capacity Planner

It might seem strange to start out by talking about a tool that Microsoft has discontinued. But I’ve found System Center Capacity Planner (Figure A) to be so helpful, I wanted to mention it anyway. In case you are not familiar with this tool, it’s designed to help make sure your proposed server deployment will be able to handle the anticipated workload.

According to Microsoft, the System Center Capacity Planner is being replaced by the System Center Configuration Manager Designer (which I have not yet had a chance to use). The end of life announcement for System Center Capacity Planner indicates that it is no longer available, but at the time of this writing, you can still download it from TechNet, as well as from other third-party sites.

2: PowerShell
3: Best Practices Analyzer
4: Security Configuration Wizard
5: ADSI Edit
6: DCDIAG
7: Microsoft File Server Migration Wizard
8: LDIF Directory Exchange

Read more: TechRepublic

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