How do I perform a install a SERVER CORE installation using an UNATTEND file

Using an unattend file to install a Server Core installation

Using an unattend file for a Server Core installation enables you to perform most of the initial configuration tasks during Setup. Performing an unattended Server Core installation provides the following benefits:

• There is no need to perform the initial configuration by using command-line tools.
  
• You can include the settings in the unattend file to enable remote administration (when Setup is complete).
  
• You can configure settings that cannot be easily modified at a command prompt, such as display resolution.
  

To install a Server Core installation by using an unattend file:

1. Create a .xml file titled Unattend.xml by using a text editor or Windows System Image Manager.
   
2. Copy the Unattend.xml file to a local drive or shared network resource.
   
3. Boot your computer to Windows Preinstallation Environment (Windows PE), Windows Server 2003, or Windows XP.
   
4. Insert the media disk with the Server Core installation of Windows Server 2008 into your disk drive. If the auto-run Setup window appears, click Cancel.
   
5. At a command prompt, change to the drive that contains the installation media.
   
6. Type the following at a command prompt:
   setup /unattend:<path>\unattend.xml
   where path is the path to your Unattend.xml file.
   
7. Allow Setup to complete.
   

Note:
Appendix A of this document contains a sample unattend file with comments that explain the settings in the sample configuration. This sample can be modified for use in your environment.

How do I perform ACTIVATION on the windows SERVER CORE?

 

To perform the ACTIVATION on the windows SERVER CORE type the following at the command prompt:

slmgr.vbs –ato

If activation is successful, no message will return in the command prompt.

 

OR

 

You can also activate by phone, using a Key Management Service (KMS) server, or remotely by typing the following command at a command prompt of a computer that is running Windows Vista or Windows Server 2008:

cscript windows\system32\slmgr.vbs <ServerName> <UserName> <password>:-ato

Prerequisites for installing a server role on a server running Server Core installation…

Prerequisites for installing a server role on a server running Server Core installation

• A computer on which you have installed and configured a Server Core installation of Windows Server 2008.
• An administrator user account and password for the server running the Server Core installation.
• If installing and configuring a print server, another computer running Windows Vista or Windows Server 2008 on which
• you can run the Print Management Console to remotely configure the print server.
• If installing and configuring a DHCP server, the information required to configure a DHCP scope.
• If installing and configuring a DHCP server, you must configure the server running the Server Core installation to use a static IP address.
• If installing and configuring a DNS server, the information required to configure a DNS zone.
• If installing and configuring an Active Directory environment, the information required to either join an existing domain or to create a new domain.
• If you are going to promote the server running the Server Core installation to be a domain controller in an Active Directory domain, a domain administrator user name and password.

How do I configure the FIREWALL on the windows SERVER CORE?

To configure the FIREWALL on the windows SERVER CORE:

Use the following command.

netsh advfirewall

For example, to enable remote management from any MMC snap-in, type the following:

netsh advfirewall firewall set rule group="Remote Administration" new enable=yes

Notes: You can also use the Windows Firewall snap-in from a computer running Windows Vista or Windows Server 2008 to remotely manage the firewall on a server running a Server Core installation. To do this, you must first enable remote management of the firewall by running the following command on the computer running a Server Core installation:

netsh advfirewall set currentprofile settings remotemanagement enable