Michael Reinders

Learn why you may want to create a new or additional Microsoft Entra ID (Azure Active Directory) tenant. What questions do you need to answer before creating one? Do you go down the ‘Microsoft Entra ID’ route or ‘Azure AD B2C’? What are the implications of each? Read my article to get answers to all…

Learn how to harness the power of PowerShell to manage a specific SharePoint Online site with Connect-PnPOnline. This guide walks you through installing the Connect-PnPOnline PowerShell module, connecting to SharePoint Online using the Connect-PnPOnline command, and exploring the capabilities of the SharePoint Online PowerShell module for seamless site administration and automation. What is PnP PowerShell?…

Group Policy security filtering is a helpful feature within Active Directory that allows administrators to fine-tune the application of Group Policy Objects (GPOs) to specific users, groups, and computers. In this article, we go through the fundamentals of Group Policy security filtering, explores its benefits, and provides practical examples and best practices for implementation. Common…

This article examines the distinctions between Microsoft Entra Connect vs. Microsoft Entra Cloud Sync, two separate solutions designed to synchronize on-premises Active Directory (AD) with Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure AD). What is Microsoft Entra Connect? Microsoft Entra Connect (formerly Azure AD Connect) is a synchronization tool that copies identities, like user accounts, from on-premises…

Microsoft’s Active Directory Forest Recovery Guide outlines 29 steps for Active Directory disaster recovery of your environment. But here’s the key takeaway: It’s just a guide. Further, it explicitly states it “doesn’t cover security recommendations for how to recover a forest that has been hacked or compromised”. Following it without prior hands-on experience or preparation is a…

This article explains the most common network devices, their functions, and how they work together in your network topologies. Network devices explained A network device is a hardware component that handles communication, the transfer of data, and connectivity within a computer-based network. These devices ensure that information flows between computers, endpoints, servers, and printers with…

Remote Monitoring and Management (RMM) is a software and technology solution that enables IT professionals and MSPs (Managed Service Providers) to remotely support customers’ networks and devices without requiring physical travel to the site. It’s what makes the work of modern IT teams possible. Proactively monitoring, managing, and securing IT infrastructure is the main focus…

This blog post offers an overview of common ports in modern networks. Whether you’re an IT Pro, a systems administrator, a cybersecurity analyst, or a curious tech enthusiast, understanding these ports is essential for troubleshooting, securing, and optimizing network traffic. I’ll explore key ports, their associated protocols, and practical (application) use cases across web services,…

Microsoft Exchange Online is a cloud-based messaging platform that provides enterprise-grade email, calendaring, and collaboration tools as part of the Microsoft 365 suite. This article explores its key features, service limits, differences from on-premises Exchange (2016/2019), and an overview of what’s involved in migrating from an on-premises environment. What is Microsoft Exchange Online? Microsoft Exchange…

Learn about key Manage-Bde commands, scripting possibilities, and troubleshooting tips to secure drives efficiently in enterprise or standalone environments—your ultimate goal – to have all of your devices BitLocker-protected. How to use Manage-Bde First, we’ll start with preparing to use the tool. Prerequisites First, you’ll only find the tool running on Pro, Enterprise, and Education…

This blog post walks you through how to use PowerShell to delete files using the Remove-Item cmdlet. How to delete a file and/or a folder using PowerShell To delete a single file, you can use this example, where you replace ‘c:\stuff\Mailboxes.csv’ with the path of the file you want to delete. Unless you specify verbosity,…

This article delves into Microsoft Exchange Online HVE (High Volume Email) key capabilities, use cases, setup process, and best practices for optimizing high-volume email workflows. What is High Volume Email (HVE) in Exchange Online? Exchange Online High Volume Email (HVE), in preview since April 2024, is designed to support organizations that need to send large volumes…