Active Directory/Documentation/Server 2008 Core
Setting up Windows Server 2008 Core the first time can be a little frustrating since most of tools people are used to using aren't there. So here's a cheat sheet for getting you machine setup and into the domain, at which point you can use most server management tools remotely.
NOTE: Did more recent work on Core here: http://techies.ncsu.edu/wiki/Windows_Web_Server_2008_R2_(Core)
Change Computer Name
netdom renamecomputer <ComputerName> /NewName:<NewComputerName>
Reboot/Logoff
Reboot after 0 seconds with comment "Changed Server Name": shutdown /r /T 0 /C "Changed Server Name"
Reboot for "OS Reconfiguration (Planned)": shutdown /r /d p:2:4
Type Logoff to logoff.
Setting up Licensing
slmgr.vbs -ipk <USE MAK KEY>
slmgr.vbs -ato
Join Domain
netdom join Computer_Name /domain:wolftech.ad.ncsu.edu /userd:unityid.admin /passwordd:Password
Installing vmware tools
- Select Virtual Machine->Install/Upgrade VMware Tools
- Nothing happens!
- Navigate to the CD drive and run setup.exe or msiexec.exe /i “<path to VMware Tools.msi>” /qn (for quiet install)
- After reboot your screen will now be @ 640x480!
- http://philipflint.wordpress.com/2008/06/30/changing-the-screen-resolution-in-windows-server-2008-server-core/
Adding server roles
http://www.petri.co.il/managing-windows-2008-server-core-server-roles.htm
Updating the firewall
http://www.petri.co.il/remotely-managing-windows-2008-server-core-firewall.htm
Patching
Server 2008 Core only supports 2 modes of Automatic updates:
- (1) Disabled
- (4) Automatically download updates and install them using the schedule
- The server has to be either in an OU that completely configures via GPO AU or doesn't touch it at all. Otherwise you will get an error when trying to enable AU or trying to install a patch.
- To enable AU: cscript C:\Windows\System32SCregEdit.wsf /AU 4
- To install a patch by hand: wusa.exe <patch> /quiet
- To list installed patches: wmic qfe list
- (Automatically) Updating Server Core
Enable RDP
- From XP: cscript %windir%\system32\SCRegEdit.wsf /CS 0
- From Vista: cscript %windir%\system32\SCRegEdit.wsf /AR 0
- 0 is Enable, 1 is Disable