Preparing to Install the Root Cluster
Applies To: Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2003 R2, Windows Server 2003 with SP1, Windows Server 2003 with SP2
In the example test installation, there is only one server configured in the root cluster. If you want, you can set up additional servers, either as part of a root cluster or as a separate licensing-only cluster. The infrastructure setup for all such servers is the same, so you will need to perform the procedure that is provided in this topic on each of those servers.
After you install the domain controller and set up the database servers (as covered in the previous section), and then complete the steps in the following table, you will be ready to install RMS.
| Infrastructure Component | To Prepare the Server for RMS Installation | Notes for Deployment in a Production Environment |
|---|---|---|
Operating system |
On a computer that meets the RMS hardware requirements but that is not yet connected to a network, install the Windows Server 2003 operating system and use the NTFS file system for the partition. |
It is strongly recommended that you always install the latest service pack and patches. Use NTFS-formatted partitions. |
Internet connection (optional) |
Make an Ethernet connection to a network that provides Internet connectivity but that is isolated from the production environment. If you want to use online enrollment to enroll the RMS root cluster, your server must have Internet connectivity. |
If you are using the on-line enrollment, make sure the Internet connection has an appropriate firewall. |
IP address |
Assign a static IP address to this computer. |
Always use static IP addresses for servers. |
Join this computer to the domain |
Log on to the computer as a local administrator. Click Start, right-click My Computer, click Properties, click the Computer Name tab, and then click Change. |
Use the same domain for all servers. |
|
Leave the computer name as it is, click Domain, and then type the name of the domain name, for example, type Contoso.com and then click OK. Provide the user credentials that allow you to join the domain, click OK, and then restart the computer when prompted. After the computer restarts and you are prompted for logon credentials, provide the appropriate domain, user name, and password. |
|
User and logon |
Right-click My Computer, click Manage, expand Local Users and Groups, click Groups, and then double-click Administrators. Click Add, specify the name of the user account to be added (such as Michael@contoso.com), and then click OK. This will give the user account Administrator privileges. When you are prompted for credentials, provide the appropriate credentials, for example, Contoso\Administrator. Log on as a domain user with Administrator privileges on the computer. |
Administrator rights are required to add components to this computer. Some installation steps cannot be completed by using the local administrator account. You must have at least one domain user on this server that is an administrator. Also, SQL Server requires System Administrator rights to create new databases. |
Windows Activation |
You can use the Activation Wizard to activate Windows with Microsoft using an Internet connection or you can contact activate Windows by telephone. For more information about Windows Server 2003 product activation, see Windows Server 2003 Help and Support Center. |
Windows Server 2003 must be activated within 14 days of installation. |
Software updates |
Make sure to install the latest software updates for the software that is installed on this computer. |
Install the latest software updates. |
Configure Internet Explorer |
RMS uses a Web interface for administration. Some of the default security settings may prevent pages from rendering correctly. Some pages in the RMS Administration Web site use pop-up windows for some configuration options. |
On the RMS server that is the root cluster, make sure that localhost is part of the Trusted Sites Zone in Internet Explorer. |
After you finish all of the previous steps on both of the servers, you are ready to install and provision RMS on the servers.