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Server Core Command Line Help

 

Recently Ive been demoing Server Core - theres been lots of questions though its really challenging my memory on command line changes.

One point to mention. I notice a change in the default firewall settings. It seems that ICMP (Ping) has now been blocked inbound by default - which can lead to some frustration especially when trying to find out if everything is working ok.

 

Ive found some great references - and Ive found some better ways to do things:

1. TechNet List of commands.

This has a handy list of common things you can configure - especially when you first install it. See below though for a better way to configure TCP/IP on the command line.

2. TechNet Forums on Server Core.

Great new set of forums - think of web based newsgroups.

3. Server Core blog

Andrew Mason from the Server Core team posts to this. Unfortunately he's not posting regularly enough but is posting to the Forums above.

 

 

Adding a TCP/IP Address - modified from TechNet so it works :)

1. At a command prompt, type: Ipconfig /all

2. Record the relevant information or redirect it to a text file (ipconfig /all >ipconfig.txt).

3. At a command prompt, type:

Netsh interface ipv4 show interfaces

4. Verify that there is an interface list.

5. At a command prompt, type:

Netsh interface ipv4 set address name="<name of interface from interface list>" static address=<preferred IP address> <mask> <gateway address> 1

6. Verify by typing Ipconfig /all at a command prompt and checking that theres the IP Address you configured

Add a DNS address as per the TechNet list of commands (modified a bit to get it to make sense) - this is obviously important in joining a domain.

1. At a command prompt, type:

Netsh interface ipv4 add dnsserver name=<name of interface from ipconfig /all> address=<IP address of the primary DNS server> index=1

2. At a command prompt, type:

Netsh interface ipv4 add dnsserver name=<name of interface from ipconfig /all> address=<IP address of the secondary DNS server> index=2

3. Repeat as appropriate to add additional servers.

4. Verify by typing Ipconfig /all and checking that all the addresses are correct.

Join a Domain

I like the netdom method of domain joins - easier than the WMI method. And yes thats two d's on the end of password! :)

Netdom join %computername% /domain:<domain> /userd:<domain>\username> /passwordd:*

If you ever want to be able to remotely admin your servercore box (probably a good idea :) ) then enable the remote admin exceptions in the firewall.

Remote Management - netsh firewall set service remoteadmin enable

That said: a much better way of doing this is to use Active Directory and Group Policy and make an OU that has all the firewall exceptions you want - that way you dont need to muck around with command line stuff. Use GPO's as much as you can with Servercore. Makes your experience a lot easier!