Server Core Command Line Help
Recently Ive been demoing Server Core - theres been lots of questions though its really challenging my memory on command line changes.
One point to mention. I notice a change in the default firewall settings. It seems that ICMP (Ping) has now been blocked inbound by default - which can lead to some frustration especially when trying to find out if everything is working ok.
Ive found some great references - and Ive found some better ways to do things:
1. TechNet List of commands.
This has a handy list of common things you can configure - especially when you first install it. See below though for a better way to configure TCP/IP on the command line.
2. TechNet Forums on Server Core.
Great new set of forums - think of web based newsgroups.
Andrew Mason from the Server Core team posts to this. Unfortunately he's not posting regularly enough but is posting to the Forums above.
Adding a TCP/IP Address - modified from TechNet so it works :)
1. At a command prompt, type: Ipconfig /all
2. Record the relevant information or redirect it to a text file (ipconfig /all >ipconfig.txt).
3. At a command prompt, type:
Netsh interface ipv4 show interfaces
4. Verify that there is an interface list.
5. At a command prompt, type:
Netsh interface ipv4 set address name="<name of interface from interface list>" static address=<preferred IP address> <mask> <gateway address> 1
6. Verify by typing Ipconfig /all at a command prompt and checking that theres the IP Address you configured
Add a DNS address as per the TechNet list of commands (modified a bit to get it to make sense) - this is obviously important in joining a domain.
1. At a command prompt, type:
Netsh interface ipv4 add dnsserver name=<name of interface from ipconfig /all> address=<IP address of the primary DNS server> index=1
2. At a command prompt, type:
Netsh interface ipv4 add dnsserver name=<name of interface from ipconfig /all> address=<IP address of the secondary DNS server> index=2
3. Repeat as appropriate to add additional servers.
4. Verify by typing Ipconfig /all and checking that all the addresses are correct.
Join a Domain
I like the netdom method of domain joins - easier than the WMI method. And yes thats two d's on the end of password! :)
Netdom join %computername% /domain:<domain> /userd:<domain>\username> /passwordd:*
If you ever want to be able to remotely admin your servercore box (probably a good idea :) ) then enable the remote admin exceptions in the firewall.
Remote Management - netsh firewall set service remoteadmin enable
That said: a much better way of doing this is to use Active Directory and Group Policy and make an OU that has all the firewall exceptions you want - that way you dont need to muck around with command line stuff. Use GPO's as much as you can with Servercore. Makes your experience a lot easier!