In IT, the term best practices refers to guidelines setting out the best way to configure a server or application as defined in subject matter experts (such as the application's development and support teams). Some best practice recommendations may not apply or be relevant. Following best practice can both solve existing issues and avoid future ones, but a bit of common sense is needed to ensure you are following the advice that is relevant for you and your organization.
A best practice model is a set of specific guidelines. A BPA is an automated tool that analyzes your infrastructure and points out areas where it the environment is not compliant with the best practice model.
Windows provides a built in BPA framework, complete with PowerShell support for managing the BPA process. Windows and applications come with a number of BPA models. The PowerShell cmdlets let you find the BPA models, invoke them, and then view the results.
Since not all BPA model guidelines are...
