Windows Server Configuration

• Lesson 2 focuses on configuring servers
• The test bank contains 32 questions
• The questions are multiple choice, short answer, best answer, and build list.

Server Management

• After initial configuration, Server Manager allows for remote management of Windows servers.

IP Address Configuration

• When configuring an IP address, the four parameters to set are: IP Address, Subnet Mask, Default Gateway, and Preferred DNS Server.

Renaming a Computer (Command-Line)

• The command-line tool to rename a computer is Netdom.exe.
• The proper syntax is: netdom renamecomputer %ComputerName% /NewName: <NewComputerName>

Converting GUI to Server Core

• To convert a GUI server to Server Core in Windows Server 2012, use Server Manager to start the Remove Roles and Features Wizard.

Adding Roles to Multiple Servers

• Server Manager allows installing a role to several target servers at once.
• This can also be achieved using PowerShell, but not with the Install-NewFeature cmdlet.

Remote Desktop Services

• Terminal Services was the former name of Remote Desktop Services.

PowerShell Cmdlet for Configuration Scripts

• Install-WindowsFeature –ConfigurationFilePath <ExportedConfig.xml> is the PowerShell cmdlet used to execute a configuration script for installing roles and features.

Adding Roles to Offline VMs

• Roles can be added to a VM in an offline state by installing the role directly to the VHD.

Examining VHD Roles and Features

• To examine the roles and features installed on a VHD without starting the VM, use the Add Roles and Features Wizard while the VHD is offline.

Server Manager Services Tile

• The Services tile in Server Manager allows starting, stopping, pausing, and resuming services.
• Changing the Start Type of a service requires the Services MMC snap-in.

Delegating Server Administration

• In larger networks, delegating server administration restricts access using specific permissions.

Virtualization Drawbacks

• A single network adapter in a virtualized environment represents a single point of failure.

Converting GUI to Server Core (Windows Server 2012)

• To convert a GUI server to Server Core, use Server Manager to start the Remove Roles and Features Wizard which is an improvement from the need to reinstall the OS in Windows Server 2008 R2.

Delegating Server Administration

• Administrators delegate server administration to separate and limit full administrator access in large networks.

Primary Server Functions

• Roles define the primary functions of a server.
• A server with the Web Server (IIS) role is referred to as a web server.

Restarting a Computer (Command-Line)

• shutdown /r is the command-line entry to restart the computer.

Joining a Computer to a Domain (Command-Line)

• netdom join %ComputerName% /domain:<DomainName> /userd:<UserName> /passwordd:* is the command-line entry for joining a computer to a domain.

Converting Server Core to Full GUI (PowerShell)

• Install-WindowsFeature Server–Gui–Mgmt–Infra, Server–Gui–Shell –Restart is the PowerShell command to convert a Windows Server 2012 Server Core installation to the full GUI option.

Server Manager Navigation Pane Icons

• After installing roles on servers, the roles appear as icons representing role groups in the Server Manager navigation pane.
• Each role group contains all instances of that role found on any added servers.

PowerShell Service Management Commands

• Get-Service, Start-Service, and Stop-Service are the PowerShell commands for getting a list of services, starting a service, and stopping a service.

NIC Teaming Modes

• Switch Independent Mode and Switch Dependent Mode are the two modes supported by NIC teaming.

Switch Independent Mode Configuration

• In Switch Independent Mode, the active/active configuration should be chosen for the highest throughput.

NIC Teaming Limitations

• NIC teaming has limitations when network traffic consists of large TCP sequences.
• Using multiple adapters will not increase performance for large TCP file transfers

Deploying Roles to a VHD File

• An administrator can modify server roles to offline VMs without starting the VM.

Best Practices for Delegating Server Administration

• When delegating administrative tasks, grant users only the necessary privileges.

Installing Roles or Features using Server Manager

• Log on with administrative privileges and start Server Manager.
• From the Manage menu, select Add Roles and Features.
• Choose the Select Installation Type (Role-based or Feature-based installation selected).
• Select the Destination Server.
• Select the Server Role.
• Add required features or services that the needed service depends upon.

Installing Roles or Features on an offline VHD file.

• Log on with administrative privileges and start Server Manager.
• From the Manage menu, select Add Roles and Features.
• Choose the Select Installation Type (Role-based or Feature-based installation selected).
• For Destination server, select Virtual Hard Disk.
• Type in or browse to the location of the VHD file you want to modify.
• Select the role and required features.
• Close the wizard to dismount the VHD.

Rename and Join Computer to Domain from Command Prompt

• Ensure DHCP has already configured the computer's TCP/IP client.
• Type netdom renamecomputer %ComputerName% /NewName:<NewComputerName>.
• Restart the computer by typing shutdown /r.
• Type netdom join %ComputerName% /domain:<DomainName> /userd:<UserName> /passwordd:*.

Leveraging PowerShell

• Using Server Manager's Add Roles and Features Wizard, you end by selecting Export configuration settings.

Adding Fault Tolerance

• Employ NIC teaming, and then active/standby mode.

Configuration file distribution

• Using Server Manager's Add Roles and Features Wizard, you end by selecting Export configuration settings.

Virtualized servers

• After selecting Add Roles and Features, you can browse for the offline VHD.