While there is a Windows 2008 Core Configurator with a GUI interface, in Windows 2008 R2 Microsoft added a new command-line tool named SCONFIG.EXE.

With this command tool configuration of the Core Server is simplified. It allows you to do all the initial configuration tasks, text menu based. For example, you can :

• Configure Networking – static vs. DHCP and for multiple NICs
• Configure Remote – Enable management via Server Manager and PowerShell, including properly configuring the firewall
• Configure Windows Update
• Enable Remote Desktop
• Join a domain
• Rename a computer

Still want to know the normal Windows 2008 Core commands or use the GUI?

If you don’t want to know the Windows 2008 Core commands, then you would be pleased with the Core Configurator. This GUI tool can be used for :

• Add & Remove Drivers
• DCPromo Tool
• Display Settings
• Firewall Settings
• ISCSI Settings
• Networking Features
• Product Licencing
• Screensaver Settings
• Server Roles and Features
• Share Creation and Deletion
• User and Group Permissions
• Windows Updates (Including WSUS)
  …more…

Download the tool CoreConfig from codeplex. (link)

Also, make sure you check out the sconfig.exe.

When running newsid.exe on a Windows 2008 Server 64 Bits system, newsid hangs when updating system registry and the application stops responding.

To solve this issue start the following Read more »

After resizing a system disk on a Windows 2008 Server, an error occured when rebooting the server :

\Windows\System32\winload.exe

The selected entry could not be loaded because the application is missing or corrupt

To solve this issue, Read more »

Here are a some common commands for configuration issues regarding Windows 2008 Core :

• Enable Terminal Server:
  cscript C:\Windows\System32\Scregedit.wsf /ar 0To view this setting:
  cscript C:\Windows\System32\Scregedit.wsf /ar /v
  Read more »

To remotely manage your Windows 2008 Servers, you can now install the Windows 2008 Remote Administration Tools.

Version for Windows Vista SP1 x86: Download

Version for Windows Vista SP1 x64: Download

More info here.

Install the software and after installation turn the features on (Control Panel > Programs And Features > Features > Remote Server Administation Tools)

Interesting blog from Mark Empson about the certification path for Windows 2008.

Read the article : Where is the MCSE for Windows 2008

A great blog about using CCR (Cluster Continues Replication) on a Windows 2008 Cluster.

Article : Brettjo