So that I don't rehash topics that are MUCH better served elsewhere - and fleshed out a lot more... here's some resources you need watch, read, follow, dump into your brain
From the wegotserved site - lots of images and content about installing Essentials 2012
http://www.wegotserved.com/2012/10/12/install-windows-server-2012-essentials-hp-mediasmart-server/
http://www.wegotserved.com/2012/09/24/windows-server-2012-essentials-simplifies-folder-redirection-security-settings-group-policies/
http://www.wegotserved.com/2012/08/31/installing-windows-server-2012-essentials-part-3/
http://www.wegotserved.com/2012/08/26/installing-windows-server-2012-essentials-part-2/
http://www.wegotserved.com/2012/08/21/windows-server-2012-essentials-release-candidate/
http://www.wegotserved.com/2012/08/18/installing-windows-server-essentials-2012-part-1/
2012 Server Essentials with Home Server Show - YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2FLTHbzSFc&list=UUmTEzLSecWozHOMMJUnOpaw&index=4&feature=plcp
Tim Barrett on the Home Server show
Robert THE MAN Pearman
Enable DirectAccess on Windows Server 2012 Essentials « Title (Required): http://titlerequired.com/2012/10/15/enable-directaccess-on-windows-server-2012-essentials/Windows Server 2012 Essentials : Add a Network Printer « Title (Required): http://titlerequired.com/2012/10/24/windows-server-2012-essentials-add-a-network-printer/This works for sure with Server 2008 r2 and Exchange 2010 - On Prem Exchange Windows Server 2012 Essentials: The Script! « Title (Required): http://titlerequired.com/2012/10/23/on-prem-exchange-windows-server-2012-essentials-the-script/Now that 2013 has rtm'd I'll be testing this.
You'll be wanting to follow his Essentials blog posts: Essentials « Title (Required): http://titlerequired.com/tag/essentials/I shouldn't beat up Paul Thurrott too much - after all he didn't get a free surface - but he did advocate enabling the HyperV role on a domain controller by running Essentials through the transmorg process even though on twitter he can't remember he said that - but I digress...but anyway he does have a good set of blog posts showcasing what it can do:
Windows Server 2012 Essentials: Thinking About Backup Strategies: http://www.winsupersite.com/article/windowsserver2012/windows-server-2012-essentials-thinking-backup-strategies-144570Windows Server 2012 Essentials: Migrate to Essentials: http://www.winsupersite.com/article/windowsserver2012/windows-server-2012-essentials-migrate-essentials-144500Windows Server 2012 Essentials: http://www.winsupersite.com/article/windowsserver2012/windows-server-2012-essentials-144448Windows Server 2012 Essentials: Connecting Windows 7 and 8 Home Versions: http://www.winsupersite.com/article/windowsserver2012/windows-server-2012-essentials-connecting-windows-7-8-home-versions-144442Windows Server 2012 Essentials: Access the Server Remotely: http://www.winsupersite.com/article/windows-server/windows-server-2012-essentials-access-server-remotely-144435Windows Server 2012: Foundation vs. Essentials: http://www.winsupersite.com/article/windowsserver2012/windows-server-2012-foundation-essentials-144405Windows Server 2012 Essentials: Coping with Alerts: http://www.winsupersite.com/article/windowsserver2012/windows-server-2012-essentials-coping-alerts-144380Windows Server 2012 Essentials Tip: Enable and Configure Media Sharing: http://www.winsupersite.com/article/windowsserver2012/windows-server-2012-essentials-tip-enable-configure-media-sharing-144377Windows Server 2012 Essentials: The Client Experience: http://www.winsupersite.com/article/windowsserver2012/windows-server-2012-essentials-client-experience-144374
And bookmark this - http://social.technet.microsoft.com/wiki/contents/articles/12636.hyperv-server-for-smbs-how-to.aspx
And watch this space -- http://social.technet.microsoft.com/wiki/contents/articles/13620.windows-server-2012-essentials-build-document.aspx
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