by clintedmonson

Boston- Area I T Network Professionals Learn How Group Policy Works

GPO Basics

Group Policy Objects (GPOs) can be used to deploy a wide variety of policy control settings to large numbers of computer accounts and user accounts. GPOs consist of two halves; User configuration settings which applies to user objects in AD regardless of which compliant workstation they log on from, and Computer configuration settings which only apply to computer objects in AD. The basic use of group policy is to put the settings in a GPO, and then link the GPO to the domain or an OU containing the user and computer accounts the settings should be applied to.

GPOs can be created using the Group Policy Management Console (GPMC) Snap?in. However, on some earlier editions of Windows Server, the snap?in is not available by default and is either added via service pack or a specified download. For systems without the GPMC GPOs can be created and edited in Active Directory Users and Computers.

GPO information is actually split and stored in two locations The Group Policy Container (GPC) and The Group Policy template (GPT). The Group Policy container is an Active Directory container that contains GPO properties, such as version information, GPO status, and other component settings.

The Group Policy template (GPT) is a file system folder containing policy data stored in .adm files. The data includes security settings, script files, and information about applications that are available for installation. The GPT is located in the system volume folder (SysVol) in the domain Policies sub?folder.

A GPO is replicated to other domain controllers in two ways. The GPC is replicated using Active Directory replication, and the GPT is replicated by the File Replication Service. Policy settings from a GPO are applied only when the GPC and GPT are synchronized. Because Active Directory Domain Services provide multi?master write capability, conflicts could occur if a GPO is modified by two administrators simultaneously. To avoid conflicts, the most recent change wins by default, GPO edits are made on the PDC Emulator to prevent conflicts.

Useful Tools to Troubleshoot GPO’s

Several useful tools to troubleshoot GPOs are available. Among them are Secedit/gpupdate, Resultant Set of Policies and even the GPMC itself offers several valuable trouble-shooting options.

Secedit /refreshpolicy {machine policy | user policy} can be used to refresh policies changes on Windows 2000 systems. Add the /Force parameter to force a complete refresh on client.

For refreshing policies on Windows XP and above, use gpupdate.exe. Some useful parameters for gpupdate include /force, which will force a reprocessing of all GPOs (without this switch gpupdate only looks for changes), /target, which will update selected systems, / V verbose and / Z ‘Zuper’ verbose mode.

GPMC, aside from simply providing an interface to create, edit, and link GPOs, provides some useful trouble-shooting functions including the ability to Backup/Restore GPOs and the ability to Export/Import GPOs!

Finally, if there is no other option, you can recover the default Domain and Domain Controller GPOs to their factory state by using DCGPOFIX.exe.

Group Policy Settings Reference

The policy settings included in this spreadsheet cover Windows Vista, Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Windows XP Professional, and Windows 2000. These files are used to expose policy settings when you edit Group Policy objects (GPOs).

To request FREE information about Boston-area computer training classes, visit www.computertrainingnewengland.com

Cindy Lazzaro

Cindy Lazzaro has been a trainer since the early 90′s, starting with supporting and training on Novell Netware. She took a two year hiatus from training starting in 2005 to work as a professional service engineer for a local company specializing in installing and supporting ISA Server and the Internet Application Gateway. Aside from the technical certifications MCSE NT4 -2008 with specialties in SCCM, SharePoint, and exchange server, Security +, A plus and Net +, she has a BA in English with a minor in Physics and a Masters in Management.

About New Horizons Learning Centers of Boston

New Horizons Computer Learning Centers of Boston provides learning solutions that help organizations achieve business results, such as increasing productivity and efficiencies, driving revenue, and reducing costs. New Horizons provides customer-focused training choices in multiple formats and delivery methods, offering organizations and individuals top-quality training that can be tailored to meet individual learning styles and specific needs.

Whether you are in search of a solution for the complex training needs of a large, multi-location business, or you are an individual seeking the skills to excel in a new or blossoming career path, New Horizons is your integrated learning solution.

New Horizons of Boston offers Desktop Applications Training, Technical Training, Certification Programs, Business Productivity Solutions, Professional Services and Enterprise Learning Solutions. 

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New Wireless Internet Technology For Mobile Professionals

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Many business professionals in America find themselves traveling constantly for work, whether by car, ferry, train, or even airplane. Airlines have been slow to bring wireless internet on board, making time on the ground with internet access even more important. Amtrak has yet to make WiFi available on even its high-density northeast corridor routes, leaving professionals’ time underutilized when traveling between east coast cities.

The new world of wireless 4G internet is changing that, enabling professionals to tap into the internet and a variety of corporate websites and virtual private networks on the road. 3G internet speeds were often too slow to handle large downloads, or documents containing large amounts of customer data. 4G brings you closer to traditional cable or DSL speeds than ever before. Large downloads are no problem, and web-based programs can run easily and efficiently on the new wireless networks.

Casual users will find great benefits with new 4G WiMax internet access as well. This next generation technology makes your favorite entertainment websites accessible on the go. Video, music downloads, and other live streaming content can all come to your computer at blazing fast speeds anywhere in the coverage area. With coverage expanding across the country at a rapid rate, most major American cities are already covered, and rural areas are quickly coming into the fold.

Using the new mobile WiMax card couldn’t be easier. With a universal USB interface, the air card can be easily attached to any standard laptop or netbook. No PC/MCIA or other complicated utility card slots are required. The support software is easy to install, and available on a variety of platforms to support your personal or business use. The connections are able to support most configurations for specialized corporate software, including Virtual Private Networks, as well as a variety of IP and firewall configurations to support secured corporate email clients. The service will significantly improve your speed over traditional 3G wireless tethering via Bluetooth (with very little corporate software support) that you might already be using for mobile internet access.

Tech support for the mobile air card is also available any time, recognizing the diverse need of professionals that are constantly on the move. Grounded or land based cable utilities and other internet companies are often slow to respond to internet concerns. In addition, such problems often require repair of reconfiguration to be done on-site, requiring a visit from a service professional. With wireless mobile broadband, most problems can be addressed remotely, with the customer on the phone. If hardware support is required, it’s simply a matter of sending out a new modem, which can often be down via expedited courier service. Not that the equipment should be a problem, most customers and the new technology to work easily and reliably with their existing computer equipment. If you’re a mobile professional on the go, take a look at how 4G wireless internet can make you more productive on the road.