Personalizing the Desktop on a Windows Server 2008 Server Core install

As mentioned in a previous blog post, a Server Core install of Windows Server 2008 does not include Explorer or the MMC. However, it does have a GUI for logon and the command prompt is typically showed in a windows with a graphical background. You also have a screen saver with a password prompt and … Continue reading Personalizing the Desktop on a Windows Server 2008 Server Core install →

Testing Windows Server 2008 using Virtual PC (step-by-step)

Windows Server 2008 is just around the corner. The Beta 3 bits are publicly available, “release to manufacturing” should happen by the end of the year and the launch event date has been announced: February 27th, 2008. There are plenty of new things to investigate. The installation process is completely different from Windows Server 2003. … Continue reading Testing Windows Server 2008 using Virtual PC (step-by-step) →

Questions for Course 6042: Windows Server 2008 Installation and Management

As I mentioned in a previous blog post, I am delivering a private, newsgroup-based, Microsoft-sponsored training for Microsoft MVPs. We are reaching the end of the first of five parts of this training, covering Course 6042: Windows Server 2008 Installation and Management (see course description). At the end of each course I pose some questions to the … Continue reading Questions for Course 6042: Windows Server 2008 Installation and Management →

Comparing running processes in Windows Server 2008 in Full and Core installs

Windows Server 2008 Server Core installation is a minimal install of the upcoming Windows Server OS that can run specific roles (like DNS, Active Directory or File Server) with a much smaller footprint and attack surface. In a previous blog post I looked into overall image sizes for both and also discussed some of the … Continue reading Comparing running processes in Windows Server 2008 in Full and Core installs →

Comparing executable files in Windows Server 2008 in Full and Core installs

Windows Server 2008 Server Core installation is a minimal install of the upcoming Windows Server OS that can run specific roles (like DNS, Active Directory or File Server) with a much smaller footprint and attack surface. In a previous blog post I looked into overall image sizes for both and also discussed some of the … Continue reading Comparing executable files in Windows Server 2008 in Full and Core installs →

“Validate” in Windows Server 2008 Failover Clustering is your friend

Windows Server 2008 greatly simplifies the installation, configuration and management of Failover Clusters. It’s hard to believe, but the process to create a cluster becomes a simple wizard where you need to enter only the names of the servers (nodes) in the cluster and the cluster name (if you don’t use DHCP, you’ll need to provide … Continue reading “Validate” in Windows Server 2008 Failover Clustering is your friend →

Installing Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 on the Windows Server 2008 June CTP (includes command-line)

P.S.: WSS 3.0 will no longer be included in the box with Windows Server 2008, but as a separate download. The information in this post is no longer current. Check annoucement at http://blogs.msdn.com/sharepoint/archive/2007/10/29/wss-3-0-to-be-download-in-windows-server-2008.aspx Windows Server 2008 includes Windows SharePoint Server 3.0 and all its dependencies in the DVD. As documented on TechNet at http://technet2.microsoft.com/windowsserver/WSS/en/library/21e4cc2f-5f0e-4d49-98ed-4e1d1fc852e21033.mspx, explained in a previous … Continue reading Installing Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 on the Windows Server 2008 June CTP (includes command-line) →

A Core install of Windows Server 2008 has no Explorer or MMC, but it’s not character mode either

Everyone that is experimenting with Windows Server 2008 is excited about the Server Core installation, which is a minimal install of the Server that can run specific roles (like DNS, Active Directory or File Server) with a much smaller footprint and attack surface. A Core install is indeed much smaller than a Full install both … Continue reading A Core install of Windows Server 2008 has no Explorer or MMC, but it’s not character mode either →

Changes in Windows Server 2008 Roles and Features from the Beta 3 to the June CTP

As mentioned in a previous blog post, one of the main highlights of Windows Server 2008 is Componentization. Replacing the old "Add/Remove Windows Components" is the new Server Manager, which manages installation and removal of Roles and Features (the new way components are grouped). I just installed a few virtual machines with the new June … Continue reading Changes in Windows Server 2008 Roles and Features from the Beta 3 to the June CTP →

Server Manager, roles and features in Windows Server 2008 Beta 3

One of the most important changes in Windows Server 2008 is improved componentization. This allows you to only install certain portions of the OS you specifically selected. These portions are grouped into roles, role services and features. To manage this, there is a completely new MMC-based tool called “Server Manager”. If you use Windows Server … Continue reading Server Manager, roles and features in Windows Server 2008 Beta 3 →