22 Apr 2013

Configuring Windows Server 2012

As of this moment Microsoft is delivering Windows Server 2012 in two formats: ISO image and Hyper-V image. I am unsure if they will offer the VHD format once it's RTM. This would be nice since, it will require no installation and cut down deployment time significantly. I will be using the ISO format mounted to a Hyper-V VM. At this moment I am not sure if Windows Server 2012 will work with Vmware Vsphere since, it will need vmware tools. If you are installing it on a physical machine, here are the hardware requirements.

Processor
Minimum: 1.4 GHz 64-bit processor

RAM
Minimum: 2 GB

Disk space requirements
Minimum: 32 GB

DVD drive
Super VGA (800 x 600) or higher-resolution monitor
Keyboard and mouse
Internet access

So let jump into Installing Windows Server 2012

1. Create a new Hyper-V VM and mount the ISO, also notice my hardware configuration below.
Windows Server 8 Hyper-V hardware config

2. System will automatically boot the Server 2012 CD and start the install. Notice the install is very similar to Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 install screen w/o the green background.
Windows Server 8 Install

3. When you get to the "Select the operating system you want to install" screen, you will notice that installation options are different. Previously in Server 2008, you only had the option for Full installation or Server core installation. Windows Server 2012 offers three options: Full Installation, Server Core Installation and Features On Demand. Full Installation Installs everything, this means when you add a role, you do not need to provide anything additional. Feature On demand install the GUI and supports all the server roles unlike Server core installation. Optional features are available for remote installation.

Windows Server 8 Installation type

Windows Server 8 Startup Screen

Once the installation complete, let's configure Windows Server 2012

First thing you want to do is rename your machine. This is done by simply going to START > SYSTEM PROPERTIES
Windows Server 8 My Computer

You will notice that Interface is very simple and Windows 7 phone alike and uses office like ribbon interface. However, concept of Servermanager, Server roles and features still apply. Windows Server 2012 offers two type of Role configuration. "Role-based or Feature-based Installation" allows you to configure roles and features the traditional way, simply select what role or feature you want. "Scenario-based Installation" only apply to RDP services and allows scenario based installation by selecting server for logical part of a multi-server distributed workload.
Windows Server 8 Roles

Here are the server roles offered in Windows Server 2012

Active Directory Certificate Services
This is the Certificate Authority role that allows you to issue internally signed certificates.

Active Directory Domain Services – AD DS
Basically, this is what it is known as the Domain Controller role. It will install related ADDS tools such as Active directory Users and computers, Site and Services.

Active Directory Federation Services
This role provides simplified, secured identity federation and SSO capabilities. It includes services that enable web SSO, a federation Service proxy and web agents that provides federated users with access to internally hosted applications.

Active Directory Lightweight Directory Services – AD LDS
AD LDS is the Microsoft version of LDAP and can be used for directory enabled applications

Active Directory Rights Management Services – AD RMS
AD RMS helps you protect information from unauthorized use. Allows integration w/ Exchange, Office and 3rd party apps.

Application Server
This role provides central management and hosting of high performance distributed business applications.

DHCP / DNS Server
Well, DHCP / DNS server : )

File Services
This is the file server role that provides technologies that help you manage storage, enable file replication and enable accessfor UNIX clients via NFS

Hyper-V
This role provides the services that you can use to create and manage virtual machines and their resources. Each virtual machine is a VM that operates in an isolated execution environment.

Network Policy and Access Services
This role provides Network Policy Server NPS, Routing and Remote Access, Health Registration Authority HRA and Host Credential authorization Protocol HCAP.

Remote Access
This provides seamless connectivity, always on and always managed experience baed on directaccess technology.

Windows Server 8 Roles

 

No comments:

Post a Comment