The key to managing your Windows Server 2008 network is planning then configuring
server roles. Questions to ask include, 'How many servers do we need?'.
Which roles do I need on each server, for example, DNS, *AD DS, File and Print.
This planning stage could also be a good time to analyze your connections to the
outside world, and appraise the need for old configurations such as **DMZ and
***RADIUS servers, with new ideas such as ****NPAS servers and a remediation
network.
* Active Directory Directory Service, ** Demilitarised Zone, *** Remote
Authentication Dial-in User Service, **** Network Policy and Access Services.
For each individual Windows Server 2008, the place to start in your task of adding
and configuring the pre-defined roles is in the Server
Manager.
♦
Launch the Server Manager
The Windows 2008 version of Server Manager is intelligent enough to work out dependencies and to
install any necessary underlying services automatically.
With the Add Roles
Wizard you get the chance to inspect the services and also to configure options for
that particular role.
Click on the Windows 'Start' button on the Task bar
Type 'Server' in the dialog box
Double-click the Program 'Server Manager.
Customize This Server
Once your Server Manager appears, scroll down to ' 3) Customize This Server'.
Now you can click 'Add roles'.
Add Roles Wizard
Some roles have their own second level Services Wizard, for example, the File
Services include the option to install DFS and Search. [IIS not installed
by default]
Select Server Roles:
Active Directory Certificate Services
Active Directory Domain Services
Active Directory Federation Services
Active Directory Lightweight Directory Services
Active Directory Rights Management Services
Application Server
DHCP Server
DNS Server
Fax Server
File Services
Hyper-V (64bit editions only)
Network Policy and Access Services
Print Services
UDDI Services
Web Services (IIS)
Windows Deployment Services
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The Server Manager is the hub of Windows Server 2008. This is the place
to install roles and features and check that they are working correctly.
Server Manager goes right back to the days of NT 3.5. However, in
Windows Server 2003 it took a back seat in the form of, 'Configure your Server' or 'Manage your Server'.
At the time,
these Configure or Manage Server menus seemed an unnecessary restrictive
layer, consequently, I preferred to invest time in creating an MMC console and
then adding my favourite snap-ins.
See more on the 2008 Server Manager.
Server Roles
The term 'Roles' when applied to Windows Server 2008 has the same connotation
as the word 'Role' in medium to large size company. Human resources
manager, Secretary to the MD, financial director. In other words 'Role'
describes a person primary job. In a smaller company one person may take
on server roles, thus it is with Windows Server 2008, the server's role maybe
DHCP, DNS, and Active Directory.
ServerMangerCMD.exe Cmdline options - like PowerShell
Windows Server 2008 Features and Services
If you didn't find a Windows Server 2008 amongst the Roles, the chances are it's
amongst the 20+ 'Features. See here more about how to
add Windows Server 2008's features.
»
Summary of the Roles in Windows Server 2008.
Just because you are good at computing does not mean that you are good at
planning or organizing. Perhaps with W2K3 you got by through being
above average at troubleshooting and having an intuitive understanding of the
technology. Also after 5 years of Windows Server 2003 you have things
figured out and the servers are running smoothly. Come Windows Server 2008
and you are going to have to learn new tricks, so make it a personal challenge
to learn the best of the new technology as fast as possible.
If you think of the new 'Roles' management techniques as your friends, then
they will help you reach new levels of technical
expertise. If on the other hand, you fight the wizards then the struggle
will sap your energy and you will miss an opportunity to learn new
ways of configuring old tasks.
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