Windows Small Business Server 2011 Standard Installation Guide
The Windows® Small Business Server 2011 Standard software is based on the Windows Server® 2008 R2 operating system. During the installation, Windows SBS 2011 Standard configures applications and features, which include:
• The Windows SBS Console
• Microsoft® Exchange Server 2010 Standard with Service Pack 1 (SP1)
• Microsoft SharePoint® Foundation 2010
• Microsoft SQL Server® 2008 R2 Express
• Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) 3.0 with Service Pack 2 (SP2)
• Remote Web Access
This Installation Guide includes the following topics:
• Before you install Windows SBS 2011 Standard Do not skip this topic. It helps assure a successful installation of Windows SBS 2011 Standard.
• Migrating from a previous version of Windows SBS There is a different process to follow if you are migrating from another version of Windows Small Business Server.
• Install Windows Small Business Server 2011 Standard If you are installing Windows SBS 2011 Standard for the first time, this section helps you complete your installation successfully.
• Complete the Getting Started Tasks After you are finished installing Windows SBS 2011 Standard, this section helps you perform the Getting Started tasks to configure your network.
Before you install Windows SBS 2011 Standard
Before you begin your installation of Windows SBS 2011 Standard, perform the following tasks:
- Ensure that your computer meets the minimum hardware requirements. This includes determining if you need additional hardware and verifying that the drivers for your hardware are supported by Windows SBS 2011 Standard.
For more information, see What are the hardware requirements?.
To find hardware and software that is compatible with Windows SBS 2011 Standard, see the Windows Server Catalog.
Important
Before you install Windows SBS 2011 Standard on a pre-existing computer, we recommend that you fully format and then repartition the hard disks of the pre-existing computer. By formatting and repartitioning the hard disks, you remove the possibility that hidden partitions remain on the hard disks. - Prepare your network. For information about how to prepare your network before you install Windows SBS 2011 Standard, see Prepare your network for installing Windows SBS 2011 Standard.
- Complete the Windows Small Business Server 2011 Standard Installation Worksheet. Taking time to collect the information and to complete the Installation Worksheet helps make the Windows SBS 2011 Standard installation process easier. It also documents the initial installation details of your network for future reference.
To review and print the worksheet, see the Windows Small Business Server 2011 Installation Worksheet. - Determine how to install Windows SBS.
• If you bought your server from an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) and your server is preinstalled with Windows SBS 2011 Standard, begin with the step-by-step instructions, Windows SBS 2011 Standard is preinstalled on my computer, later in this document.
• If Windows SBS 2011 Standard is not preinstalled on your computer, begin with the step-by-step instructions, I am installing Windows SBS 2011 Standard from the DVD, later in this document. - Determine if you will perform an unattended installation. An unattended installation is used by some installers to complete the installation without requiring a person to click through the installation screens. If you want to perform an unattended installation, you must create the required answer files. An answer file contains the information that is needed to complete the installation.
You can create an answer file that contains your server information, company information, and network administrator account information by using the Windows Small Business Server 2011 Answer File Tool. For information about how to use an answer file to perform an unattended installation, see Tell Me More About Using Answer Files.
You can create additional answer files to use during the operating system installation stage if you plan to install Windows SBS 2011 Standard from the DVD. For more information, see the Windows Automated Installation Kit for Windows 7. - Read the Windows SBS 2011 Standard release documentation. The release documentation contains the latest information that may be critical to properly installing and configuring Windows SBS 2011 Standard. To view or print release documentation, see Release Documentation for Windows Small Business Server 2011 Standard.
Migrating from a previous version of Windows SBS
If you are migrating from a previous version of Windows SBS to Windows SBS 2011 Standard, you must follow a different process. For information about this type of installation, see Migrating to Windows Small Business Server 2011 Standard.
Install Windows Small Business Server 2011 Standard
There are two ways that Windows SBS 2011 Standard can be installed on a computer:
• You bought a computer from an original equipment manufacturer (OEM), and the computer is preinstalled with Windows SBS 2011 Standard.
If this is the case, you must complete only the final phase of the installation. Follow the steps in Windows SBS 2011 Standard is preinstalled on my computer.
• You bought a computer (or you are using an existing computer), and you want to install Windows SBS 2011 Standard from the DVD.
If this is the case, follow the steps in I am installing Windows SBS 2011 Standard from the DVD.
I am installing Windows SBS 2011 Standard from the DVD
Follow the steps in this section only if you are installing Windows SBS 2011 Standard from the DVD. If your computer came with Windows SBS 2011 Standard preinstalled on it, follow the steps in Windows SBS 2011 Standard is preinstalled on my computer.
When default values that are typical for a small business are provided during the installation, we recommend that you accept these values.
Important
• Before you install Windows SBS 2011 Standard, make sure that you complete the steps in the Before you install Windows SBS 2011 Standard section of this document.
• Before you install Windows SBS 2011 Standard on a pre-existing computer, we recommend that you fully format and then repartition the hard disks of the pre-existing computer. By formatting and repartitioning the hard disks, you remove the possibility that hidden data remains on the hard disks.
Step 1: Install the Windows operating system
Windows SBS 2011 Standard first installs the Windows Server 2008 R2 operating system, and then you provide information about your organization that is used to configure the operating system and finish the installation.
Important
After the operating system is installed, do not customize your server until you finish Step 2: Configure the Windows SBS 2011 Standard operating system.
Estimated completion time: Approximately 30 minutes.
Note
The estimated completion times throughout this procedure are based on minimum hardware requirements.
To install the operating system - Connect your computer to your network with a network cable.
Important
Do not disconnect your computer from the network during installation. Doing so may cause the installation to fail. - Turn on your computer, and then insert the Windows SBS 2011 Standard DVD into the DVD drive.
If you are performing an unattended installation, connect the removable media (such as a floppy disk or a USB flash drive) that contains your answer files. Depending on the contents of your answer files, you may not see some or any of the following installation screens. - Restart your computer. When the message Press any key to boot from CD or DVD appears, press any key.
Note
If your computer does not start from the DVD, ensure that the CD-ROM drive is listed first in the BIOS boot sequence. For more information about the BIOS boot sequence, see the documentation from the computer manufacturer. - Select the Language that you want to install, Time and currency format, and Keyboard or input method, and then click Next.
- Click Install now.
- Read the license terms. If you accept them, select the I accept the license terms check box, and then click Next.
Note
If you do not choose to accept the license terms, the installation does not continue. - Click Custom (advanced) to select where you want to install the Windows operating system.
- Verify that all of your internal hard drives are available for installation.
Note
If a hard drive is not listed (for example, a Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (SATA) hard disk), you must load the device drivers for that hard disk. Obtain the device driver from the manufacturer and save it to removable media (such as a floppy disk or a USB flash drive). Attach the removable media to your computer, and then click Load Driver. - Select the hard drive on which you want to install the operating system, and then click Next.
If you are installing Windows SBS 2011 Standard on a computer that is running a Windows operating system that does not support an upgrade, we recommend that you delete the system partition, and then re-create new partitions. When you delete a partition, any existing data on the partition is permanently lost.
If you need to delete and/or create partitions, refer to the following steps:
a. To delete a partition, select the partition, click Drive options (advanced), and then click Delete. After you delete the system partition, create a new partition by using the instructions in either step b or step c.
Note
After you click Drive options (advanced), that option will not appear again. In that case, skip the part of the step that refers to drive options.
b. To create a partition from an unpartitioned space, click the hard disk that you want to partition, click Drive options (advanced), click New, and then in the Size text box, type the partition size you want to create. For example, if you use the recommended partition size of 120 gigabytes (GB), type 122880, and then click Apply. After the partition is created, click Next. The partition is formatted before the installation continues.
c. To create a partition that uses all of the unpartitioned space, click the hard disk that you want to partition, click Drive options (advanced), click New, and then click Apply to accept the default partition size. After the partition is created, click Next. The partition is formatted before the installation continues.
Important
You cannot move the operating system to a different partition after you finish this step
For more information, see Disk management in Windows SBS 2011 Standard.
During the installation, temporary files are copied to an installation folder on your computer, which takes about 15 minutes. After the Windows SBS 2011 Standard operating system is installed, your computer restarts. Now, you are ready to configure the Windows SBS 2011 Standard operating system.
Step 2: Configure the Windows SBS 2011 Standard operating system
Important
If you are migrating from a previous version of Windows SBS to Windows SBS 2011 Standard, you must follow a different process. For information about migration installations, see Migrating to Windows Small Business Server 2011 Standard.
During this phase of the installation, you are prompted to answer a few questions about your organization. This information is used to configure the operating system. Use the information that you documented in the Windows SBS 2011 Standard Installation Worksheet to help you answer these questions.
Important
Before beginning this step, ensure that the local network adapter is connected to a router or a switch that is turned on and functioning properly.
Estimated completion time: Approximately 30 minutes
To configure Windows SBS 2011 Standard
1.
2. On the Continue installation page, select the Clean Install option, and then click Next.
3. On the Verify the clock and time zone settings page, click Open Date and Time to verify the clock and time zone settings to select the date, time, and time zone settings for your server. When you are finished, click Next.
Important
If you are installing Windows SBS 2011 Standard on a virtual machine, make sure that you choose the same time zone settings that are being used by the host operating system. If the time zone settings differ, the server installation might not succeed.
4. On the Server network configuration page, select an option to configure your network settings, and then click Next. The default option is Automatically detect the network settings.
5. If your network is connected to the Internet, click Go online and get the most recent installation updates (recommended). Getting the latest updates helps ensure a successful installation.
If your network is not connected to the Internet or if you choose to not get updates, click Do not get the most recent installation updates.
Note
If an error occurs while you are getting the latest updates, the error is logged on the Installation Finished page.
The Connecting your server page appears, and you can track the installation progress.
6. On the Company information page, type information about your organization, and then click Next. This information is stored, and it is used to configure your server tools so that you do not have to supply the same information multiple times.
7. On the Personalize your server and your network page, type the name of your server in the Server name text box. The server name must be a unique name on your network, and you cannot change the name after the installation finishes.
Type the name of your internal domain in the Internal domain name text box. A domain enables you to manage access to resources on your network (for example, user accounts, client computers, shared folders, or printers). Default settings are provided for your internal domain. This separates your local (internal) network from the Internet (external) network.
Note
You cannot change the server name or the internal domain name after you finish this step.
8. Click Next.
9. On the Add a network administrator account page, type the information for a new administrator account.
Caution
Do not name the network administrator account “Administrator” or “Network Administrator.” These account names are reserved for use by the system.
Important
Write down your administrator account password and store it in a safe place. You will use this password if you ever need to restore your directory services by using Directory Services Restore Mode (DSRM). For information about how to synchronize the DSRM password with your network administrator account, see Synchronize the DSRM password with the Windows Small Business Server 2011 Standard network administrator password.
10. Click Next. A settings summary page appears. Click Back if you want to change any of these settings; otherwise, click Next.
11. The Expanding and installing files page displays the progress of the final installation process. This takes time to complete, and your computer will restart a couple of times.
12. After the last server restart, the Installation finished page appears. If there are noncritical issues listed, click View installation issues. This opens the Installation issues page of the Windows SBS Console. Resolve the installation issues.
13. Click the Windows SBS Console Home page, and then click Getting Started Tasks. You should complete the Getting Started Tasks immediately after your Windows SBS 2011 Standard installation finishes. For more information, see Complete the Getting Started Tasks.
Note
After the installation finishes, you are automatically logged on to the server with the new administrator account that you added during installation. The built-in administrator account password is set to the same password as the new administrator account, and then the built-in administrator account is disabled.
You can use your newly installed server for a limited amount of time (known as the “evaluation period”) without entering a product key. After the evaluation period, you must enter a product key to activate the server or extend the evaluation period. You can extend the evaluation period a maximum of two times. When you reach the maximum number of days allowed for the evaluation period, you must activate your server with a product key.
Windows SBS 2011 Standard is preinstalled on my computer
Follow the steps in this topic only if Windows SBS 2011 Standard is preinstalled on your computer. If you are installing Windows SBS 2011 Standard from the DVD, follow the steps in I am installing Windows SBS 2011 Standard from the DVD.
Important
If you are migrating from a previous version of Windows SBS to Windows SBS 2011 Standard, you must follow a different process. For information about migration installations, see Migrating to Windows Small Business Server 2011 Standard.
Because Windows SBS 2011 Standard is preinstalled on your computer, you need to complete only the final installation steps to customize your server.
To customize Windows SBS 2011 Standard
- Connect your computer to your network with a network cable.
Important
Do not disconnect your computer from the network during installation. Doing so may cause the installation to fail. - Turn on the computer.
- If you are performing an unattended installation, connect the removable media (such as a floppy disk or a USB flash drive) that contains your answer files. Depending on the contents of your answer files, you may not see some or any of the installation pages that can appear prior to the Expanding and installing files page.
- On the Continue installation page, select the Clean Install option, and then click Next.
- On the Verify the clock and time zone settings page, click Open Date and Time to verify the clock and time zone settings to select the date, time, and time zone settings for your server. When you are finished, click Next.
- On the Server network configuration page, select an option to configure your network settings, and then click Next. The default option is Automatically detect the network settings.
- If your network is connected to the Internet, click Go online and get the most recent installation updates (recommended). Getting the latest updates helps ensure a successful installation.
If your network is not connected to the Internet or if you choose not to get updates, click Do not get the most recent installation updates.
Note
If an error occurs while you are getting the latest updates, the error is logged on the Installation Finished page.
The Connecting your server page appears, and you can track the installation progress. - On the Company information page, type information about your organization, and then click Next. This information is stored and used to configure your server tools so that you do not have to supply the same information multiple times.
- On the Personalize your server and your network page, type the name of your server in the Server name text box. The server name must be a unique name on your network, and you cannot change the name after the installation finishes.
Type the name of your internal domain in the Internal domain name text box. A domain enables you to manage access to resources on your network (for example, user accounts, client computers, shared folders, or printers). Default settings are provided for your internal domain. This separates your local (internal) network from the Internet (external) network.
Note
You cannot change the server name or the internal domain name after you finish this step. - Click Next.
- On the Add a network administrator account page, type the information for a new administrator account.
Caution
Do not name the network administrator account either “Administrator” or “Network Administrator.” These account names are reserved for use by the system.
Important
Write down your administrator account password and store it in a safe place. You will use this password if you need to restore your directory services by using Directory Services Restore Mode (DSRM). For information about how to synchronize the DSRM password with your network administrator account, see Synchronize the DSRM password with the Windows Small Business Server 2011 Standard network administrator password. - Click Next. A settings summary page appears. Click Back if you want to change any of these settings; otherwise, click Next.
- The Expanding and installing files page displays the progress of the final installation process. This takes time to complete, and your computer will restart a couple of times.
- After the last server restart, the Installation finished page appears. If there are noncritical issues listed, click View installation issues. This opens the Installation issues page of the Windows SBS Console. Resolve the installation issues.
- Click the Windows SBS Console Home page, and then click Getting Started Tasks. You should complete the Getting Started Tasks immediately after your Windows SBS 2011 Standard installation finishes. For more information, see Complete the Getting Started Tasks.
Note
After the installation finishes, you are automatically logged on to the server with the new administrator account that you added during installation. The built-in administrator account password is set to the same password as the new administrator account, and then the built-in administrator account is disabled.
You can use your newly installed server for a limited amount of time (known as the “evaluation period”) without entering a product key. After the evaluation period, you must enter a product key to activate the server or extend the evaluation period. You can extend the evaluation period a maximum of two times. When you reach the maximum number of days allowed for the evaluation period, you must activate your server with a product key.
Complete the Getting Started Tasks
The Home page of the Windows SBS Console lists the Getting Started Tasks, which you should complete immediately after you install your server. By performing these tasks in the order that they are listed, you can help protect information that is stored on the server and fully enable the features that are available in Windows SBS 2011 Standard.
If you choose not to perform the Getting Started Tasks, users might not have access to some network features. To return to these tasks later, return to the Windows SBS Console Home page.
The following tables define each of the items that can appear in the list of Getting Started Tasks.
Finish installation
Task Description
View installation issues Displays a list of issues that were encountered during installation. Double-click an issue to see detailed information about it.
Using the Windows SBS console Opens a Help topic that explains the administrative tasks you can accomplish by using the Windows SBS Console.
Connect to the Internet
Task Description
Connect to the Internet Helps you connect your server to the Internet by using the information that your Internet service provider (ISP) provides to you.
Customer feedback options Enables you to participate in the Microsoft Customer Experience Improvement Program, which collects anonymous information about computer hardware and how you use Windows SBS 2011 Standard, without interrupting you. This helps Microsoft identify which features to improve. None of the information that is collected is used to identify or contact you, and you can opt in or out of the program at any time. Click the Customer feedback options task to opt in or out of this program.
Set up your Internet address Enables you to register and configure a public Internet address for your server.
Configure a Smart Host for Internet e-mail Enables you to configure advanced settings for sending Internet email.
Add a trusted certificate Enables you to request and install web certificates from non-Microsoft certificate providers. This helps ensure secure traffic to Remote Web Access, and it helps alleviate the need for users to install the Certificate Installation Package on non-domain joined computers.
Protect your data
Task Description
Configure server backup Helps you create and manage backups of your server data.
Add users, computers, and devices
Task Description
How can users access computers on the network? Opens a Help topic that describes how Windows SBS 2011 Standard enables users to access the network from any computer that they have permissions to log on to.
Add a new user account Helps you add a new user account to the network.
Connect computers to your network Helps you connect computers to the network.
How can I add a shared printer to the network? Opens a Help topic that describes how to add and share network printers.
Additional Getting Started Tasks
The following tasks do not appear on the Windows SBS Console Home page.
• Reset the SharePoint Foundation 2010 passphrase
If you use SharePoint Foundation 2010 on your Windows SBS 2011 Standard network, you should reset the random SharePoint Foundation 2010 passphrase that is created during installation. For more information, see Reset the SharePoint 2010 Foundation passphrase.