What is Server Core?

Server Core is version of Microsoft's Server 2008 OS that attempts to reduce the attack surface of a system by installing a limited amount of code.  The result is a system that can be administered primarily through the command-line.  There are a limited number of roles and features that can be installed on a Server Core system, but you will see that it can handle many of the important services we need like DNS, DHCP, File Services, Directory Services and much more.

Installation

Installing Server Core is quite simple.  Following the same path as we would with a typical full installation of Server 2008, Server Core provides the ability to choose Standard, Enterprise or Data Center editions.  We follow the familiar GUI screens however, after we have logged in we will see that our desktop is nothing more than a command-prompt (cmd.exe).

A Modicum of GUI Tool

There are a few GUI tools to work with in Server Core including:

• Task Manager
• Notepad
• Registry Editor
• The Time and Data Applet
• The Regional and Language Settings

Configuration Commands

Much like a traditional server that we install, there are aspects we need to configure.  This includes the computer name, IP settings, joining the domain and more.  This lesson will show you how to perform the basics using hostname, netdom, shutdown and netsh commands.

Activation and Firewall

Server Core systems still have to have a product key and be activated.  However, this too must be done through the command line using the slmgr.vbs commands.  This lesson will show you how to check your evaluation time, extend that time, and input the product key and activate your system.

In addition, you will learn how to check your firewall settings and make minor modifications (and exceptions).

Installing Roles and Features

The OCLIST command will show you how to see which roles and features you have installed, while the OCSETUP command will help you to install and uninstall roles and features.  Remember, the command is case-sensitive so you have to type in what you see from the OCLIST command.

Note:  To promote a system to become a domain controller you will need to use the DCPROMO command with an unattend file.

Manage Through Terminal Services

This lesson will show you how to make a a connection remotely to your Server Core system through a Remote Desktop Connection.

Manage Through RemoteApp

This lesson will show you how to create a RemoteApp rdp file that can be used to connect to your Server Core system but with the cmd.exe application only.

Manage with Windows Remote Shell

Windows Remote Shell (WinRM) is a great feature for connecting to servers and executing commands quickly.  This lesson will show you how to make your Server Core system a WinRM listener (using the winrm quickconfig command) and then how you can use the WinRS command to connect to your Server Core system and execute commands.

Manage with MMC Snap-ins

Server Core Configurator

Configuring a Server Core system is slightly overwhelming at first.  To help you perform the tasks through a GUI interface the folks on the Core Configuration team at Microsoft put together a tool called the Server Core Configurator.

You can locate and download the tool here: http://www.codeplex.com/CoreConfig