Managing a Server Core Computer

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Managing a Server Core computer is a different experience for most system administrators. None of the graphical tools you're used to using is available on the server. But once you've configured the Server Core computer for remote management, as described under "Initial Configuration" earlier in the chapter, you can create management consoles that point to the Server Core computer, which allow you to do all your tasks from a graphical console.

More Info For details on how to create custom MMCs, see Chapter 14, "Managing Daily Operations."

There are four basic ways to manage a Server Core installation. They are:

  1. Locally using a command prompt.
  2. Remotely using Remote Desktop. The shell in Remote Desktop will have only the same functionality (a command prompt) as being logged on locally.
  3. Remotely using Windows Remote Shell.
  4. Remotely using an MMC snap-in from a computer running Windows Vista or Windows Server 2008.

Some tasks are a bit tricky in Server Core—we're used to usually doing them exclusively from the GUI. An obvious task is changing the password on your account. For that, use the net user <username> * command. Some of the tasks that can be a problem, and their solutions, are shown in Table 9-2.

Table 9-2 Common Task Workarounds in Server Core

Dd163522.table_C09625051_2(en-us,TechNet.10).png

Using Windows Remote Shell

You can use Windows Remote Shell to remotely execute commands on a Server Core computer. But before you can run Windows Remote Shell, you need to first enable it on the target Server Core computer. To enable Windows Remote Shell, use the following command:

winrm quickconfig

To run a command remotely, use the WinRS command from another computer using the following command:

winrs –r:<ServerName> <command string to execute>

Using Terminal Server RemoteApp

One neat trick that we like is to use the new TS RemoteApp functionality of Windows Server 2008 to publish a Command Prompt window for the Server Core computer directly onto our desktop. This is simpler and more direct, and saves screen real estate, which is always a benefit. To create an RDP package that you can put on your desktop, follow these steps:

  1. On a Windows Server 2008 server that has the Terminal Services role enabled, open the TS RemoteApp Manager, as shown in Figure 9-5.

    Dd163522.figure_C09625051_5(en-us,TechNet.10).png

    Figure 9-5 Use the TS RemoteApp Manager to create a remote cmd.exe window.

  2. Connect to the Server Core computer you want to build an RDP package for.

  3. Click Add RemoteApp Programs in the actions pane to open the RemoteApp Wizard.

  4. Click Next to open the Choose Programs To Add To The RemoteApp Programs List page, shown in Figure 9-6.

    Dd163522.figure_C09625051_6(en-us,TechNet.10).png

    Figure 9-6 The Choose Programs To Add To The RemoteApp Programs List page of the RemoteApp Wizard

  5. Click Browse, and navigate to \\<ServerName>\c$\windows\system32\cmd.exe. Click Open.

  6. Click Next and then click Finish to add the remote program and return to the TS RemoteApp Manager.

  7. Select cmd.exe in the RemoteApp programs pane and click Create .rdp File in the actions pane.

  8. Click Next, and specify any additional package settings for the RDP package. Note the location where the package will be saved.

  9. Click Next twice and then click Finish to create the RDP package.

  10. Copy the package to the computer where you will use it.

Now you can open a Command Prompt window directly onto the Server Core computer simply by double-clicking the RDP package you created and saved.

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