Now that a build of Windows Server 2008 R2 has been released, I can start talking about what we have been working on. In a Windows Server 2008 R2 Server Core installation we have: · Active Directory Certificate Services is now an available Server Role...

In the Server Core installation option, there is a way to remove the server roles and optional features from the disk, to free up more space. In addition to reducing disk usage, this could be used to ensure an administrator doesn’t add a role or feature...

I did a TechNet Edge interview on Server Core a couple of weeks ago. If you want to hear my ramblings, you can check it out at: http://edge.technet.com/Media/567/ Andrew

A couple of quick tips this time around. If you want to determine if you are running on Server Core from a script, you can do this via WMI. The command line way is: wmic path win32_operatingsystem get OperatingSystemSKU /value The value can then...

To follow up my last post, this one will go into more details on option 3 in that post. As mentioned you can simply enable the Remote Administration firewall rules to allow pretty much any MMC to connect (a few require additional configuration as...

Just like on a full server installation, the firewall is on by default in a Server Core installation and most inbound traffic is blocked at the end of setup. There are then three scenarios for remote management via MMC: Server Roles – when a...

Hi, For those that are attending ITForum next week, there will be a couple of Server Core sessions: SRV304 - Deploying and Remotely Administering Server Core SRV316 - Configuring and Managing Windows Server 2008 Server Core 304 focuses...

RC0 of Windows Server 2008 is out and there are a few changes in Server Core: · Runonce now works · IIS is included as a role – see this blog posting for lots of useful IIS on Server Core information: http://blogs.iis.net/metegokt/archive/2007/06...

I did a TechNet Web cast on Server Core yesterday. If you missed it, it is now available at: http://www.microsoft.com/events/EventDetails.aspx?CMTYSvcSource=MSCOMMedia&Params=%7eCMTYDataSvcParams%5e%7earg+Name%3d%22ID%22+Value%3d%221032341828%22%2f...

For those of you at TechEd recently or who saw the articles, IIS is now a role included in the Server Core installation option. If you have access to the recently released CTP build, IIS is available for you to start testing. Because Server Core does...

The Server Core step by step guide is now available in two locations 1 – To read online or print from: http://technet2.microsoft.com/windowsserver/longhorn/en/library/bab0f1a1-54aa-4cef-9164-139e8bcc44751033.mspx?mfr=true 2 – To download in doc...

Sorry for the delays between postings lately, working on Beta 3 has been keeping us all busy. Today I’m going to talk briefly about some of the changes and additions we have made to the Server Core installation option for Beta 3. For those of you with...

It has been too long since I last posted, I’ll try to get back on a more regular schedule. Today’s topic will be how to use Terminal Server Remote Programs to publish cmd.exe and allow you to run the Server Core cmd.exe in a window on your Vista or Longhorn...

I’m a little behind on my regularly scheduled blog posting, I’ll try to keep up with posting every couple of weeks. You can use Windows Update to patch Server Core, but you first need to turn it one using the following commands: Cscript c:\windows...

For those that have access to the new build released in December, this post will cover some new items in Server Core. The build is supposed to be available as part of the January MSDN, so hopefully more of you will have access when that comes out. ...

Some of these may be repeats, but this is a pretty complete list of common tasks an administrator might need to do that either don't have a well known command line tool or a tool at all. A few of these may not work in current builds, such as oclist, but...

A short post this time around, with a couple of useful WMIC commands. If you want to determine a file’s version, for instance to see if it was patched, you can use WMIC: wmic datafile where name="d:\\windows\\system32\\ntdll.dll" get version...

This post is going to be slightly different then my previous postings. Last week I was at ITForum presenting on Server Core. Towards the end of the week I also had a ChalkTalk/Q&A session where I answered questions as well as collected feedback on...

Since my October 6 th posting was entitled tips and tricks vol 1, that means I have to post at least one more volume. Hopefully this won’t be the last tips and tricks posting. Today’s item is changing the display resolution so you can run at a higher...

This time around I have a list of resources that are useful when using Server Core. Server Core specific: Server Core TechNet Forum: http://forums.microsoft.com/TechNet/ShowForum.aspx?ForumID=582&SiteID =17 Server Core SDK: http://msdn...

This edition of the Server Core blog will include a couple of tips and tricks to make working with Server Core and the command line easier. Time in Server Core This first one will be a flash back to the old MS-DOS days. Since Server Core doesn...

This time around I’m going to spend some more time on working with Event Logs from the command line. I’ll cover some how to perform some common tasks using wevtutil.exe. Enumerate Event Logs Wevtutil el – This command will list out a lot of logs...

Another couple of weeks has gone by, so time for me to say something else about Server Core. This week I'll mention a few Terminal Services tips and tricks. When using Terminal Services, without the GUI shell some common tasks require you to do...

It is time for another installment of the Server Core blog. Based on today’s topic you may be able to guess that I’m scrounging for topics to cover. If anyone has suggestions, please send me email or post a comment and I’ll try to cover the topic in a...

Time for another installment about Server Core…..every two weeks seems about right. When new builds are released and there is more to discuss I’ll try to post more frequently. Vista and Longhorn Server include the WS-Management protocol that was...