Windows 2008 Server Core Basic Commands

Windows Server 2008, Server Core installation does not include the traditional full graphical user interface (GUI). Therefore, once you have configured the server, you can only manage it locally at a command prompt, or remotely using a Terminal Server connection.

Like any other server, Server Core machines must be properly configured to be able to communicate on your network. Some of these settings include:

·         Configuring an IP address

·         Configuring an administrator's password

·         Configuring a server name

·         Enabling remote MMC snap-in management

·         Enabling remote RDP connections

·         Enabling remote Windows Firewall management

·         Enabling remote shell management

·         Activating the server

·         Joining a domain

·         Configuring Windows Updates

·         Configuring error reporting

·         Adding server roles and features

And other tasks.

To set the server with a static IP address

At a command prompt, type the following:

netsh interface ipv4 show interfaces

     Look at the number shown in the Idx column of the output for your network adapter. If your computer has more than one network adapter, make a note of the number corresponding to the network adapter for which you wish to set a static IP address.

     At the command prompt, type:

netsh interface ipv4 set address name="" source=static address= mask= gateway=

Where:

·         ID is the number from step 2 above

·         StaticIP is the static IP address that you are setting

·         SubnetMask is the subnet mask for the IP address

·         DefaultGateway is the default gateway

                At the command prompt, type:

netsh interface ipv4 add dnsserver name="" address= index=1

Where:

·         ID is the number from step 2 above

·         DNSIP is the IP address of your DNS server

 Repeat step 4 for each DNS server that you want to set, incrementing the index= number each time.

              

  Verify by typing ipconfig /all and checking that all the addresses are correct.

To set the administrative password in Windows Server 2008

At a command prompt, type the following:

net user administrator *

 When prompted to enter the password, type the new password for the administrator user account and press ENTER.

When prompted, retype the password and press ENTER.

Next, you might want to change the computer's name, as the default name is a random-generated name (unless configured through an answer file)

To change the name of the server

Determine the current name of the server with the hostname or ipconfig /all commands.

At a command prompt, type:

netdom renamecomputer  /NewName:

 Restart the computer by typing the following at a command prompt:

shutdown /r /t 0

To manage a server running a Server Core installation by using the Windows Remote Shell

To enable Windows Remote Shell on a server running a Server Core installation, type the following command at a command prompt:

WinRM quickconfig

 Click Y to accept the default settings. Note: The WinRM quickconfig setting enables a server running a Server Core installation to accept Windows Remote Shell connections.

On the remote computer, at a command prompt, use WinRS.exe to run commands on a server running a Server Core installation. For example, to perform a directory listing of the Windows folder, type:

winrs -r: cmd

Where ServerName is the name of the server running a Server Core installation.

You can now type any command that you require, it will be executed on the remote computer.

To activate the server

At a command prompt, type:

slmgr.vbs –ato

If activation is successful, no message will return in the command prompt.

To activate the server remotely

At a command prompt, type:

cscript slmgr.vbs -ato

Retrieve the GUID of the computer by typing:

cscript slmgr.vbs -did

      Type

cscript slmgr.vbs -dli

  Verify that License status is set to Licensed (activated).

To join a Windows 2008 server to a domain

At a command prompt, type:

netdom join  /domain: /userd: /passwordd:*

Where:

·         ComputerName is the name of the server that is running the Server Core installation.

·         DomainName is the name of the domain to join.

·         UserName is a domain user account with permission to join the domain.

Note: Entering * as the password means you will be prompted to enter it on the command prompt window in the next step. You can enter it in the initial command, if you wish to. 

 When prompted to enter the password, type the password for the domain user account specified by UserName.

                Restart the computer by typing the following at a command prompt:

shutdown /r /t 0

To remove the Windows 2008 server from a domain

At a command prompt, type:

netdom remove

Reboot the computer.

To configure automatic updates

To enable automatic updates, type:

cscript C:'Windows'System32'Scregedit.wsf /au 4

To disable automatic updates, type:

cscript C:'Windows'System32'Scregedit.wsf /au 1

BTW, in order to view your current settings you can type:

cscript C:'Windows'System32'Scregedit.wsf /au /v

To configure error reporting

To verify the current setting, type:

serverWerOptin /query

To automatically send detailed reports, type:

serverWerOptin /detailed

   To automatically send summary reports, type:

serverWerOptin /summary

To disable error reporting, type:

serverWerOptin /disable