Microsoft Windows Home Server

Microsoft® Windows® Home Server Unleashed http://www.dropshippers.co.za/

Second Edition http://www.dropshippers.co.za/

Covers PowerPacks 1, 2, and 3! http://www.dropshippers.co.za/

Paul McFedries http://www.dropshippers.co.za/

This is the most comprehensive, practical, and useful guide to Windows Home Server, including Microsoft’s major updates in PowerPacks 1, 2, and 3. Top Windows expert Paul McFedries brings together tips, techniques, and shortcuts available nowhere else and presents them all in plain English for every Windows Home Server user. http://www.dropshippers.co.za/

McFedries covers all facets of running Windows Home Server: configuration, file/folder sharing, networking, media streaming and sharing, backup/restore, monitoring, Web and SharePoint site deployment, performance optimization, maintenance, and customization. He thoroughly addresses Windows Home Server’s new Windows 7 support, as well as major improvements in areas ranging from remote access to storing TV recordings. http://www.dropshippers.co.za/

This edition presents comprehensive, up-to-the-minute guidance on Windows Home Server security, plus a full section of advanced solutions utilizing Microsoft’s power tools, the command line, and automated scripting. Throughout, McFedries demonstrates key techniques through real-world examples and presents practical configurations you can easily use in your own home. http://www.dropshippers.co.za/

Detailed information on how to… http://www.dropshippers.co.za/

• Set up Windows Home Server networks, user accounts, devices, and storage
• Integrate with Windows 7’s new file libraries, backup/recovery tools, and Windows Search 4.0
• Efficiently share folders, files, and digital media
• Ensure security for both local and remote users
• Automatically back up and restore all the computers on your home network
• Quickly set up web and SharePoint sites
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Tune, maintain, and troubleshoot Windows Home Server http://www.dropshippers.co.za/

Use the new Remote Access Configuration and Repair Wizards http://www.dropshippers.co.za/

ON THE WEB: http://www.dropshippers.co.za/

Register your book at informit.com/title/9780672331060 to access all examples and source code presented in this book. http://www.dropshippers.co.za/

Category: Windows Server http://www.dropshippers.co.za/

Covers: Windows Home Server with PowerPacks 1, 2, 3 http://www.dropshippers.co.za/

User Level: Intermediate–Advanced http://www.dropshippers.co.za/

Table of Contents

• Introduction
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Part I Unleashing Windows Home Server Configuration

Chapter 1

Setting Up Your Windows Home Server Network http://www.dropshippers.co.za/

• Configuring Windows Home Server for Networking
• Changing the Windows Home Server Workgroup Name
• Displaying the Network Icon in the Notification Area
• Configuring Windows Home Server with a Static IP Address
• Setting Up Windows Home Server as a DHCP Server
• Viewing the Windows Home Server Network
• Troubleshooting Network Problems
• Checking Connection Status
• Checking Network Utilization
• Repairing a Network Connection
• Working with Network Diagnostics
• Troubleshooting Cables
• Troubleshooting the Network Interface Card
• Handling Multiple Network Subnets
• Making a Remote Desktop Connection to the Server
• Making Sure That Windows Home Server Is Ready to Host
• Making the Connection to the Server
• Disconnecting from the Server
• From Here
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Chapter 2

Setting Up and Working with User Accounts http://www.dropshippers.co.za/

• Understanding Security Groups
• Adding a New User
• Setting the Password Length and Complexity
• Customizing the Password Length Requirement
• Building a Strong Password
• Changing the Password on the Client
• Adding the User Account
• Synchronizing the Client and Windows Home Server Passwords
• Automating Client Logons
• Modifying User Accounts
• Viewing Account Properties
• Changing the Account Password
• Disabling a User Account
• Enabling a User Account
• Removing a User Account
• Changing the Account Name
• Adding a User to a Group
• Allowing a User to Log On to the Windows Home Server Desktop
• From Here
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Chapter 3

Adding Devices to the Windows Home Server Network http://www.dropshippers.co.za/

• Installing Windows Home Server Connector on the Client Computers
• Supported Operating Systems
• Preparing to Install Windows Home Server Connector
• Running the Windows Home Server Connector Setup Program on Windows 7 and Windows Vista
• Running the Windows Home Server Connector Setup Program on Windows XP
• Rediscovering the Windows Home Server
• Using a Mac on Your Windows Home Server Network
• Connecting to the Windows Home Server Network
• Mounting a Windows Home Server Shared Folder
• Backing Up Mac Data to a Windows Home Server Shared Folder
• Using a Mac to Make a Remote Desktop Connection to Windows Home Server
• Letting Windows Computers See Your Mac Shares
• Using a Linux Client on Your Windows Home Server Network
• Viewing the Windows Home Server Network in Ubuntu
• Letting Windows Computers See Your Ubuntu Shares
• Connecting Other Devices to the Windows Home Server Network
• Connecting a Windows Mobile Device
• Adding an Xbox 360 to the Network
• Connecting a Kodak Wi-Fi Digital Picture Frame
• From Here
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Chapter 4

Configuring Windows Home Server http://www.dropshippers.co.za/

• Changing the Name of the Home Server
• Running the Windows Home Server Console
• Changing the Date and Time on Windows Home Server
• Setting the Current Date and Time
• Synchronizing the Date and Time with a Time Server
• Selecting the Windows Home Server Region
• Changing the Region in the Windows Home Server Console
• Customizing the Region Formats
• Configuring Windows Update
• Configuring Windows Update via the Windows Home Server Console
• Configuring Windows Update via the Automatic Updates Control Panel
• Updating Windows Home Server
• Changing the Windows Home Server Password
• Restarting or Shutting Down Windows Home Server
• Configuring an Uninterruptible Power Supply
• Configuring the Windows Home Server Startup
• Editing BOOT.INI Directly
• Using the System Configuration Editor to Modify BOOT.INI
• Configuring Startup with the Advanced Options Menu
• Launching Applications and Scripts at Startup
• From Here
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Chapter 5

Setting Up and Using Home Server Storage http://www.dropshippers.co.za/

• Understanding Windows Home Server Storage
• Simplicity: Saying Goodbye to Drive Letters
• Flexibility: Expanding (or Contracting) the Data Pool
• Safety: Using Duplication to Ensure No Data Is Lost
• Understanding Drive Extender
• Server Storage on a One-Drive System
• Server Storage on a Two-Drive System
• Server Storage on a Multi-Drive System
• Setting the Primary Hard Drive
• Adding Storage to the Home Server
• Adding a Drive to the Storage Pool
• Adding a Drive for Windows Home Server Backups
• Viewing Storage Status
• Repairing Storage
• Removing Storage from the Home Server
• Removing a Storage Hard Drive
• Removing a Server Backup Hard Drive
• From Here
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Part II Unleashing Windows Home Server Networking

Chapter 6

Sharing Folders and Files on the Home Server http://www.dropshippers.co.za/

• Examining the Predefined Windows Home Server Shares
• Setting User Permissions on Shared Folders
• Modifying Permissions for a Windows Home Server Shared Folder
• Sharing Server Folders Outside Drive Extender
• Creating a New Shared Folder
• Toggling Duplication for a Shared Folder
• Accessing the Windows Home Server Shared Folders
• Understanding the Universal Naming Convention
• Mapping a Shared Folder to a Local Drive Letter
• Disconnecting a Mapped Network Folder
• Creating a Network Location in Windows 7 and Windows Vista
• Creating a Network Place in Windows XP
• Copying Files to a Shared Folder
• Publishing a Windows Vista Calendar to the Server
• Publishing Your Calendar
• Subscribing to a Calendar
• Working with Shared Calendars
• Viewing Share Storage History
• Searching the Shared Folders
• As-You-Type Searches with Desktop Search
• Advanced Searches
• Using Advanced Query Syntax to Search Properties
• Deleting a Shared Folder
• From Here
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Chapter 7

Making Connections to Network Computers http://www.dropshippers.co.za/

• Configuring a Computer as a Remote Desktop Host
• Configuring a Windows 7 or Vista Host
• Configuring an XP Host
• Restricting the Computers That Can Connect to the Host
• Connecting via Remote Desktop Connection
• Getting the Client Computer Ready
• Making the Connection to the Remote Desktop
• Disconnecting from the Remote Desktop
• Connecting via Windows Home Server Web Site Remote Access
• Configuring Users for Remote Access
• Activating Remote Access on the Server
• Displaying the Remote Access Home Page
• Making the Connection.
• Disconnecting from the Host
• Connecting via the Internet
• Determining the Windows Home Server IP Address
• Setting Up Port Forwarding on the Router
• Configuring the Router By Hand
• Determining the Router’s External IP Address
• Using a Dynamic DNS Service
• Obtaining a Domain Name from Microsoft
• Displaying the Remote Access Home Page
• Connecting to a Network Computer
• Connecting to the Windows Home Server Console
• Connecting to the Windows Home Server Desktop
• Working with Windows Home Server Shares in the Web Browser
• Enabling Drag-and-Drop Uploading
• Customizing the Remote Access Web Pages
• Setting Remote Access as the Default Home Page
• Customizing the Website Headline
• Customizing the Website Images
• From Here
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Chapter 8

Streaming and Sharing Digital Media http://www.dropshippers.co.za/

• Streaming Digital Media to Network Computers and Devices
• Getting Your Devices Ready
• Activating Media Sharing in Windows Home Server
• Connecting Devices
• Playing Streamed Media in Windows Media Player.
• Playing Streamed Media in Windows Media Center
• Connecting Windows Media Center to Your Home Server
• Sharing Photos
• Customizing the Photos Share with a Template
• Using Server Photos as a Screensaver Slideshow
• Adding the Photos Folder to Windows Media Player
• Adding the Photos Folder to Windows Live Photo Gallery
• Adding the Photos Folder to Windows Photo Gallery
• Running a Slide Show from the Photos Share
• Changing the Default Picture Import Location to Windows Home Server
• Sharing Music
• Customizing the Music Share with a Template
• Adding the Music Folder to Windows Media Player
• Changing the Default Rip Location to Windows Home Server
• Sharing Videos
• Customizing the Videos Share with a Template
• Adding the Videos Folder to Windows Media Player
• Archiving Recorded TV on Windows Home Server
• From Here
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Chapter 9

Backing Up and Restoring Network Computers http://www.dropshippers.co.za/

• Understanding Windows Home Server’s Backup Technology
• Single Instance Storage
• No Backup Types
• Smarter Backups
• Automatic Backup Management
• Converting Client Partitions to NTFS
• Format the Partition as NTFS
• Run the CONVERT Utility
• Configuring Windows Home Server Backups
• Configuring the Backup Time
• Configuring Automatic Backup Management
• Configuring a Computer for Backup
• Excluding a Disk Drive from a Backup
• Excluding Folders from a Backup
• Adding a New Hard Drive to a Backup
• Turning Off Backups for a Computer
• Running a Manual Backup
• Cancelling a Running Backup
• Backing Up Other Systems to Windows Home Server
• Working with Backups
• Viewing a Computer’s List of Backups
• Viewing Backup Details
• Preventing Windows Home Server from Deleting a Backup
• Cleaning Up Old Backups
• Browsing Backed-Up Files
• Restoring Network Backups
• Restoring Backed-Up Files
• Restoring a Computer to a Previous Configuration
• From Here
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Chapter 10

Monitoring Your Network http://www.dropshippers.co.za/

• Monitoring the Windows Home Server Status Icon
• Monitoring the Icon Color
• Monitoring Network Health Notifications
• Monitoring the Windows Home Server Shares
• Launching the Computer Management Snap-In
• Viewing the Current Connections
• Viewing Connections to Shared Folders
• Viewing Open Files
• Closing a User’s Session or File
• Monitoring Remote Desktop Sessions
• Starting the Terminal Services Manager
• Viewing Remote Desktop Sessions
• Sending a Message to a Remote Desktop Client
• Disconnecting a Remote Desktop Session
• Controlling the Administrator’s Desktop via Remote Control
• Monitoring Users via Task Manager
• From Here
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Chapter 11

Implementing Windows Home Server Security http://www.dropshippers.co.za/

• Enabling Security Auditing on Windows Home Server
• Activating the Auditing Policies
• Understanding the Auditing Policies
• Tracking Auditing Events
• More Ways to Secure Windows Home Server
• Renaming the Administrator Account
• Hiding the User Name in the Log On Dialog Box
• Making Sure Windows Firewall Is Turned On
• Disabling the Hidden Administrative Shares
• Securing Network Computers
• Monitoring Home Computer Security
• Thwarting Spyware with Windows Defender
• Protecting Yourself Against Email Viruses
• Implementing Parental Controls
• Creating Accounts for the Kids
• Avoiding Phishing Scams
• Sharing a Computer Securely
• Implementing Wireless Network Security
• From Here
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Chapter 12

Setting Up a Windows Home Server Website http://www.dropshippers.co.za/

• Understanding the Windows Home Server Default Website
• Viewing the Default Website Folders
• Viewing the Default Website with Internet Information Services Manager
• Adding Folders and Files to the Default Website
• Adding a File to a Default Website Folder
• Adding a Folder to the Default Website
• Creating a New Website
• Creating a New Website Using a Different IP Address
• Creating a New Website Using a Different Port
• Creating a New Website Using a Host Header
• Configuring a Website
• Modifying the Website Identity
• Giving a Website Multiple Identities
• Changing the Website Location and Permissions
• Setting the Default Content Page
• Disabling Anonymous Access
• Adding Site Links to the Home and Remote Access Pages
• From Here
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Chapter 13

Running a SharePoint Site on Windows Home Server http://www.dropshippers.co.za/

• Installing and Configuring Windows SharePoint Services
• Downloading and Installing SharePoint Services 3.0
• Running the Initial SharePoint Services 3.0 Configuration
• Creating a New SharePoint Web Application
• Creating a Top-Level SharePoint Site
• Deleting the Default SharePoint Web Application
• Restarting the Windows Home Server Default Website
• Adding a Firewall Exception for the SharePoint Web Application Port
• Forwarding the SharePoint Port in Your Router
• Adding Users to the Top-Level SharePoint Site
• Logging On to the Top-Level SharePoint Site
• Adding Sites to SharePoint
• Adding a Top-Level Site
• Adding a Subsite
• Working with Site Settings
• Customizing a Site
• Working with Users
• Working with Groups
• Working with Permissions
• Deleting a Site
• Creating Content for a SharePoint Site
• Storing Images in a Picture Library
• Tracking Appointments with a Calendar
• Maintaining a List of Contacts
• Keeping a List of Web Page Links
• Managing Permissions for Content
• Deleting Content from a Site
• From Here
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Part III Unleashing Windows Home Server Performance and Maintenance

Chapter 14

Tuning Windows Home Server Performance http://www.dropshippers.co.za/

• Monitoring Performance
• Monitoring Performance with Task Manager
• Monitoring Performance with System Monitor
• Optimizing the Hard Disk
• Examining Hard Drive Performance Specifications
• Performing Hard Drive Maintenance
• Disabling Compression and Encryption
• Turning Off Windows Search
• Enabling Write Caching.
• Optimizing Virtual Memory
• Customizing the Paging File Size
• Watching the Paging File Size
• Changing the Paging File’s Size
• Defragmenting the Paging File
• Optimizing Applications
• Adding More Memory
• Optimizing Application Launching
• Getting the Latest Device Drivers
• Setting the Program Priority in Task Manager
• More Optimization Tricks
• Adjusting Power Options
• Eliminate the Use of Visual Effects
• Optimizing Windows Home Server for Services and the System Cache
• Optimizing Network Data Throughput for File Sharing
• Upgrading Your Device Drivers
• From Here
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Chapter 15

Maintaining Windows Home Server http://www.dropshippers.co.za/

• Checking System Uptime
• Displaying Uptime with the SYSTEMINFO Command
• Displaying Uptime with Performance Monitor
• Displaying Uptime with a Script
• Checking Your Hard Disk for Errors
• Understanding Clusters
• Understanding Lost Clusters
• Understanding Invalid Clusters
• Understanding Cross-Linked Clusters
• Understanding Cycles
• Understanding Windows Home Server’s Automatic Disk Checking
• Running Check Disk
• Checking Free Disk Space on the System Drive
• Deleting Unnecessary Files from the System Drive
• Defragmenting the System Drive
• Reviewing Event Viewer Logs
• Exporting Event Logs to a Database
• Setting Up a Maintenance Schedule
• From Here
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Chapter 16

Customizing the Windows Home Server Interface http://www.dropshippers.co.za/

• Making the Start Menu More Efficient
• Activating the Frequent Programs List
• Getting More Favorite Programs on the Start Menu
• Adding the Internet and E-Mail Icons
• Pinning a Favorite Program Permanently to the Start Menu
• Streamlining the Start Menu by Converting Links to Menus
• Adding, Moving, and Removing Other Start Menu Icons
• Making the Taskbar More Efficient
• Displaying the Built-In Taskbar Toolbars
• Setting Some Taskbar Toolbar Options
• Creating New Taskbar Toolbars
• Creating a Taskbar Toolbar for Launching Programs and Documents
• Improving Productivity by Setting Taskbar Options
• Controlling Taskbar Grouping
• Modifying the Start Menu and Taskbar with Group Policies
• Customizing the Color Quality and Resolution
• Setting the Screensaver
• Selecting a Screensaver
• Creating an Instant Screensaver
• Customizing the Desktop Colors, Fonts, and Sizes
• Selecting a Color Scheme
• Creating a Custom Color Scheme
• Creating Custom Colors
• Changing the Effects Properties
• From Here
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Chapter 17

Troubleshooting Windows Home Server http://www.dropshippers.co.za/

• Replacing Your System Hard Drive.
• Restoring a Windows Home Server Backup
• Understanding Troubleshooting Strategies
• Did You Get an Error Message?
• Does an Error or Warning Appear in the Event Viewer Logs?
• Does an Error Appear in System Information?
• Did the Error Begin with a Past Hardware or Software Change?
• Did You Recently Edit the Registry?
• Did You Recently Change Any Windows Settings?
• Did Windows Home Server “Spontaneously” Reboot?
• Did You Recently Change Any Application Settings?
• Did You Recently Install a New Program?
• Did You Recently Install a New Device?
• Did You Recently Install an Incompatible Device Driver?
• Did You Recently Apply an Update from Windows Update?
• Did You Recently Install a Windows Home Server Hotfix or Power Pack?
• General Troubleshooting Tips
• Troubleshooting Using Online Resources
• Troubleshooting Device Problems
• Troubleshooting with Device Manager
• Troubleshooting Device Driver Problems
• Tips for Downloading Device Drivers
• Troubleshooting Resource Conflicts
• Verifying Digitally Signed Files
• Troubleshooting Startup
• When to Use the Various Advanced Startup Options
• Using Safe Mode
• Using Safe Mode with Networking
• Using Safe Mode with Command Prompt
• Using Enable Boot Logging
• Using Enable VGA Mode
• Using Last Known Good Configuration
• Using Directory Services Restore Mode
• Using Debugging Mode
• What to Do If Windows Home Server Won’t Start in Safe Mode
• Troubleshooting Startup Using the System Configuration Utility
• Reinstalling Windows Home Server
• From Here
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Part IV Unleashing Windows Home Server Advanced Tools

Chapter 18

Working with the Windows Home Server Registry http://www.dropshippers.co.za/

• Starting the Registry Editor
• Navigating the Registry
• Navigating the Keys Pane
• Understanding Registry Settings
• Getting to Know the Registry’s Root Keys
• Understanding Hives and Registry Files
• Keeping the Registry Safe
• Backing Up the Registry
• Protecting Keys by Exporting Them to Disk
• Working with Registry Entries
• Changing the Value of a Registry Entry
• Renaming a Key or Setting
• Creating a New Key or Setting
• Deleting a Key or Setting
• Finding Registry Entries
• From Here
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Chapter 19

Using Windows Home Server’s Command-Line Tools http://www.dropshippers.co.za/

• Getting to the Command Line
• Running CMD
• Opening a Folder in a Command Prompt Session
• Working at the Command Line
• Running Commands
• Working with Long Filenames
• Changing Folders Faster
• Taking Advantage of DOSKEY
• Redirecting Command Output and Input
• Piping Commands
• Understanding Batch File Basics
• Creating Batch Files
• REM: Adding Comments to a Batch File
• ECHO: Displaying Messages from a Batch File
• PAUSE: Temporarily Halting Batch File Execution
• Using Batch File Parameters
• FOR: Looping in a Batch File
• GOTO: Jumping to a Line in a Batch File
• IF: Handling Batch File Conditions
• Working with the Command-Line Tools
• Working with Disk Management Tools
• Working with File and Folder Management Tools
• Working with System Management Tools
• From Here
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Chapter 20

Using Other Windows Home Server Power Tools http://www.dropshippers.co.za/

• Using the Group Policy Object Editor
• Working with Group Policies
• Customizing the Windows Security Dialog Box
• Customizing the Places Bar
• Increasing the Size of the Recent Documents List
• Enabling the Shutdown Event Tracker
• Getting More Out of Control Panel
• Reviewing the Control Panel Icons
• Understanding Control Panel Files
• Alternative Methods for Opening Control Panel Icons
• Putting Control Panel on the Taskbar
• Displaying Control Panel in My Computer
• Removing an Icon from Control Panel
• Showing Only Specified Control Panel Icons
• Configuring the Microsoft Management Console
• Launching the MMC
• Adding a Snap-In.
• Saving a Console
• Creating a Custom Taskpad View
• Controlling Snap-Ins with Group Policies
• Controlling Services
• Controlling Services with the Services Snap-In
• Controlling Services at the Command Prompt
• Controlling Services with a Script
• Setting Up a Fax Server
• Installing the Fax Service
• Starting the Fax Console
• Configuring the Fax Service
• Examining the Fax Console
• Sending a Fax
• Receiving Faxes
• Routing a Received Fax
• From Here
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Chapter 21

Scripting Windows Home Server http://www.dropshippers.co.za/

• Understanding Windows Script Host
• Running Scripts
• Running Script Files Directly
• Using WScript for Windows-Based Scripts
• Using CScript for Command-Line Scripts
• Script Properties and .wsh Files
• Programming Objects
• Working with Object Properties
• Working with Object Methods
• Assigning an Object to a Variable
• Working with Object Collections
• Programming the WScript Object
• Displaying Text to the User
• Shutting Down a Script
• Scripting and Automation
• Programming the WshShell Object
• Referencing the WshShell Object
• Displaying Information to the User
• Running Applications
• Working with Shortcuts
• Working with Registry Entries
• Working with Environment Variables
• Programming the WshNetwork Object
• Referencing the WshNetwork Object
• WshNetwork Object Properties
• Mapping Network Printers
• Mapping Network Drives
• Programming the Windows Management Instrumentation Service
• Referencing the WMI Service Object
• Returning Class Instances
• From Here
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Part V Appendixes

Appendix A

Glossary http://www.dropshippers.co.za/

Appendix B

Windows Home Server Keyboard Shortcuts http://www.dropshippers.co.za/

Appendix C

Windows Home Server Online Resources http://www.dropshippers.co.za/

• 9780672331060 TOC 3/12/2010
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