I’ve spent this weekend writing a book chapter about installing and configuring Windows Server 2008 R2. A year and a half ago I wrote about Server Manager in Windows Server 2008. Part of that document was detailed instructions on how to user SERVERMANAGERCMD.EXE. That command is being deprecated by Microsoft in Windows Server 2008 R2. You’re advised to learn the PowerShell cmdlet alternatives. There’s 4 commands you need to know:
- Import-Module ServerManager: That will add the following 3 cmdlets.
- Get-WindowsFeature: List the available roles, role services and features and identify the installed ones.
- Add-WindowsFeature: Install roles, role services and features.
- Remove-WindowsFeature: Uninstall roles, role services and features.
You can use the following arguments in the Add and Remove cmdlets:
cmdlet <object1>,<object2>,<objectN> –restart –whatif
- Use commas to specify many roles, role services and features in a single command.
- Use –Restart to automatically reboot if required.
- -Whatif: to simulate the cmdlet and not really make changes.
For example:
Add-WindowsFeature File-Services, Web-Server -restart
Other changes:
- You can connect to a remote Windows Server 2008 R2 server to manage it – if it is configured to allow that. It’s off by default. Turning it on is possible within the Server Manager GUI. Turning it off will disable remote management using PowerShell so be careful.
- There are Best Practice Analysers built in for some of the roles, e.g. AD Services, AD Certificate Services and IIS.