Managing Server Core without Breaking a Sweat!

1. Required Slide SESSION CODE: WSV321 Managing Server Core without Breaking a Sweat! Joachim Nässlander Solution Architect Microsoft Infrastructure and EUC Dell Inc.

2. The goal of a Server Core installation is to get it on the network and make it remotely manageable.

3. 75 Minutes of What? • How Core was born • Why Core? • Installation scenarios • Initial configuration • Local Management • Remote Management

4. How Core Was Born • Customer feedback • Removal of requirements • Four inital roles • Focus areas • Side benefits

5. Why Core? • Footprint • Attack surface • Management • Patching

6. Footprint ”The memory footprint in RAM for Server Core has been reduced to less than 100MB, compared to roughly 130MB for Windows Server 2008 and 244MB for Windows Server 2003, which didn’t have a Server Core install option.” (Ward Ralston, http://www.windowsitpro.com/article/virtualization/why-you-need-windows-server-2008-r2.aspx) Windows Server 2008 R2 Core HD ~3.0 GB RAM 512 MB for install (runs on 64!) Windows Server 2008 R2 HD ~7.0 GB RAM 512 MB for install

7. Footprint – Disk Usage

8. Reducing Disk Usage pkgmgr/up:<package to remove> Remove all packages you won’t need Reboot 23 packages can be remove, gain ~200 MB

9. Patches ”Over time, the number of reboots for patching or security updates is significantly reduced for a Server Core installation of which the benefits are obvious.  In some cases, customers can see up to a 60% reduction in patch requirements and the number of reboots on a monthly basis.”(David B Cross, http://blogs.technet.com/b/windowsserver/archive/2010/05/07/server-core-best-practice-for-applications-on-windows-server.aspx)

10. Patches Source: Microsoft bulletins / Andrew Mason

11. Installation Manual installation Automated deployment Template

12. Is it Core? Separate SKU 0C Datacenter (core installation) 27 Server Datacenter without Hyper-V (core installation) 0E Server Enterprise (core installation) 29 Server Enterprise without Hyper-V (core installation) 2A Microsoft Hyper-V Server 0D Server Standard (core installation) 28 Server Standard without Hyper-V (core installation) 1D Web Server (core installation)

13. Is It Core? Joachim NässlanderSolution Architect Microsoft Infrastructure & End User ComputingDell Inc. DEMO

14. Is it Core? WMI / WMIC / PowerShell WMI: “Select OperatingSystemSKUfrom Win32_OperatingSystem” WMIC: ”OS get operatingsystemsku” 14 = E = Enterprise Core Convert to HEX Complete table of available SKU’s: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms724358.aspx

15. Initial Configuration Joachim NässlanderSolution Architect Microsoft Infrastructure & End User ComputingDell Inc. DEMO

16. Sconfig • Cons • Not all roles Pros Developed by Microsoft Actively maintained Included

17. Core Configurator • Cons • Must install • Needs .Net / PowerShell Pros Developed by a team Actively maintained Shotgun interface Download: http://coreconfig.codeplex.com/

18. Core Configuration Console R2 • Cons • No support • Privately developed • Not all roles supported • Not shotgun Pros Standard commands Free No installation / features needed Easily extended Download: http://ccc.codeplex.com or http://www.nullsession.com

19. Smart-X Core Configurator • Cons • Needs install • Not free Pros Shotgun interface Developed by company Download: http://www.smart-x.com

20. CMD • Cons • Steep learning curve • Ineffective Pros Included Well documented Support

21. PowerShell / VBScript / WMI • PowerShell • VBScript • WMI • Remote support • Reusable

22. PowerShell • Add .Net Framework • Add PowerShell • Configure

23. PowerShell C:\> start /wait ocsetupNetFx2-ServerCore (WoW-64) C:\> start /wait ocsetupMicrosoftWindowsPowerShell (Wow-64) C:\> powershell PS C:\> import-module ServerManager PS C:\> set-executionpolicyremotesigned (unrestricted) PS C:\> enable-psremoting

24. Local Management of Roles • Specific commands for roles • Active Directory • DSADD, DSGET + more • DNS • DNSCMD • Network Configuration / Firewall / DHCP • NETSH

25. Local Management Joachim NässlanderSolution Architect Microsoft Infrastructure & End User ComputingDell Inc. DEMO

26. Firewall Configuration • Locally • NETSH • Remote • Group Policy • MMC / Server Manager

27. Remote Management of Roles • Firewall configuration • Server Manager • Remote Server Administration Tools / MMC

28. Remote Management Joachim NässlanderSolution Architect Microsoft Infrastructure & End User ComputingDell Inc. DEMO

29. Conclusion • Learning curve • Security • Management

30. Required Slide Speakers, please list the Breakout Sessions, Interactive Sessions, Labs and Demo Stations that are related to your session. Related Content • WSV319 | Manage Your Enterprise from a Single Seat: Windows PS Remoting • WSV07-INT | New Remote Management Technologies in Windows Server 2008 R2 • WSV18-HOL | Introduction to Windows PowerShell Fundamentals • WSV19-HOL | Advanced Windows PowerShell Scripting • TLC-54 | Windows PowerShell and Server Management

31. Required Slide Resources Learning • Sessions On-Demand & Community • Microsoft Certification & Training Resources www.microsoft.com/teched www.microsoft.com/learning • Resources for IT Professionals • Resources for Developers • http://microsoft.com/technet • http://microsoft.com/msdn

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34. © 2010 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Microsoft, Windows, Windows Vista and other product names are or may be registered trademarks and/or trademarks in the U.S. and/or other countries. The information herein is for informational purposes only and represents the current view of Microsoft Corporation as of the date of this presentation. Because Microsoft must respond to changing market conditions, it should not be interpreted to be a commitment on the part of Microsoft, and Microsoft cannot guarantee the accuracy of any information provided after the date of this presentation. MICROSOFT MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, AS TO THE INFORMATION IN THIS PRESENTATION.

35. Required Slide