Remote Server Administration Tools in Windows 8

Remote Server Administration Tools (RSAT) for Windows 8 includes Server Manager, Microsoft
Management Console (MMC) snap-ins, consoles, Windows PowerShell cmdlets and providers,
and command-line tools for managing roles and features that run on Windows Server 2012.
To fully use these tools, Windows Server 2012 is required.

The new Windows Server Manager, found in RSAT for Windows 8 and Windows Server
2012, facilitates management of all remote servers running Windows Server 2012  from one
centralized console. In some cases, these tools can be used to manage roles and   features
on running on Windows Server 2008. Remote management capabilities of Windows
 Management Instrumentation (WMI), Windows PowerShell, and Distributed Component
Object model (DCOM) are used to manage the servers. Windows Server Manager removes
the necessity to remote into each server to change roles or update policies and empowers
administrators with these management tools on their desktop. Windows Server Manager also
hosts links to nearly all other tools found in RSAT, including the MMC snap-ins.

IPv6 Internet support In Windows 8

Most currently implemented networks have the ability to connect to the Internet via IPv4.
However, IPv4 has address limitations that are beginning to show strain and cannot keep up
with the quickly expanding Internet. Currently, network address translation (NAT) is used to
share addresses in residences around the country. This technology allows each home to have
one IP address but multiple devices connected to the Internet. With IPv4 addresses quickly
depleting, NATs may be used on a broader scale, hindering location based services such as
Bing and degrading the P2P application experience.

To remedy these issues, IPv6 was created with unimaginable scale, offering 3x10^38
available IP addresses (enough for every person to have billions to themselves). In addition
to offering an immense address range, IPv6 also offers new security features such as IPsec,
which provides security at the packet level. During the transition from IPv4 to IPv6, dual stack
topologies will be implemented. This allows devices to be configured with both IPv6 and IPv4
addresses. In Windows 8, if an IPv6 address is present, it will automatically take   connection
priority over the IPv4 address. Also, not all applications will support IPv6  immediately.
 Windows will automatically select the correct connection for applications to properly
 communicate by using a method called  address sorting.  These advanced Windows features
indicate that Windows 8 is fully capable of supporting the IPv6 Internet.

Mobile broadband support in Windows 8

Windows 8 offers a completely redesigned mobility experience to its users. Windows 8 was
designed to work well on a variety of platforms including desktops, laptops, and tablets, so
this feature was designed accordingly. Previously, if you wanted to use a mobile broadband
device on a laptop, you had to retrieve the software and drivers from the manufacturer and
carrier, install the correct one, and then troubleshoot any associated issues. In Windows 8,
the management tool and driver is built in. No hassle is associated with configuring mobile
broadband in Windows 8

Windows 8 includes a connection management API called Windows Connection  Manager
that provides functionality native to broadband devices currently in use.   Additionally,
 Windows 8 comes with an integrated mobile broadband class driver. It works with  virtually
all devices and completely eliminates the frustration of locating the correct driver for
your  device. Windows 8 is optimized for all wireless connectivity and offers connection
 prioritization, among many other user customizations. Using the Windows Connection
 Manager, you can manage all wireless radios side-by-side.

Included with mobile broadband support are many other wireless enhancements for
Windows 8. This optimized end-user experience includes metered connection awareness
and efficient data usage as well as the ability to conserve bandwidth by delaying network
heavy actions until an unmetered connection is made. Connection priority is learned by the

 operating system, which can then automatically choose the network for you. This feature
can be overridden through user customization. When resuming from standby, Windows 8
can also reconnect much faster to your wireless network than previous versions—oftentimes
before your display is refreshed. Due to substantial wireless improvements, Windows 8 is
capable of connecting to a wireless network in less than two seconds. Previously, the process
spanned nearly 12 seconds. 

DirectAccess Windows 8

Most IT pros are familiar with remotely connecting to their corporate network resources
through a virtual private network (VPN). Time-consuming redundancies are associated
with using VPN—such as the need to always log into a VPN service, run security scans, etc.
 Connection initiation and user authentication is necessary every time VPN is reconnected.
If users do not frequently reconnect, their PCs may not receive the latest updates or Group
Policy pushes. DirectAccess allows remote users to securely access their organizations shares,
websites, and applications every time they connect their DirectAccess-enabled portable
device to the Internet. DirectAccess does not require frequent logins or access maintenance,
and even allows remote computer management to administrators without an established
VPN connection. This availability of constant connection minimizes frustration and improves
efficiency in everyday “out-of-the-office” needs. Windows 8 and Windows Server 2012 make
DirectAccess simpler to deploy and implement.