Windows Server blog by Kurt Roggen [BE]

If you still remember my previous post on deploying Windows Server Core 2008, I referred to OCSetup.exe (OptionalComponentsSetup) for installing Server Roles & Features on Server Core and OClist.exe to identify all installable and/or installed roles and features.  However, in several cases some of those roles are not available by default (such as Hyper-V, StreamingMediaServer, ...).  So let me point out how to make them available...

The Server Core installation option is a new option that you can use for installing Windows Server 2008.

A Server Core installation provides a minimal environment for running specific server roles, which reduces the maintenance and management requirements and the attack surface for those server roles.
To accomplish this, the Server Core installation option installs only the subset of the binary files that are required by the supported server roles.

A server running Windows Server Core 2008 supports the following 9 server roles:

1. Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS) using dcpromo.exe
2. Active Directory Lightweight Directory Services (AD LDS)
3. DHCP Server
4. DNS Server
5. File Services
6. Print Services
7. Streaming Media Services
8. Web Server (IIS)
9. Hyper-V (Windows Server Virtualisation) - supported since RC1 - running as the parent virtual machine

All Server Core server roles can be installed via OCsetup.exe, with the exception of the Active Directory Domain Controller role which is done through dcpromo using an unattend file and the Web Server which is done through the PackageManager (PkgMgr.exe).

Installing a specific server role follows the syntax below:

start /w ocsetup <serverrole-name>

1. Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS): dcpromo /unattend:<unattendfile.xml>
2. Active Directory Lightweight Directory Services (AD LDS): start /w ocsetup DirectoryServices-ADAM-ServerCore
3. DHCP Server: start /w ocsetup DHCPServerCore
4. DNS Server: start /w ocsetup DNS-Server-Core-Role
5. File Services: installed by default
6. Print Services: start /w ocsetup Printing-ServerCore-Role
7. Streaming Media Server: start /w ocsetup MediaServer (After copying the appropriate Microsoft Update Standalone package (.msu files) to your Server Core installation, and running the .msu file(s)).
8. Web Server: start /w pkgmgr /iu:IIS-WebServerRole;WAS-WindowsActivationService;WAS-ProcessModel
9. Hyper-V

You might be missing some of the server roles when looking through the Optional Component list (via OClist.exe) such as Streaming Media Server and Hyper-V.
To add updates/roles/features to the list, use the following command:  wusa <update>.msu /quiet

A typical example is the Streaming Media Server role, which only becomes available after copying the appropriate Microsoft Update Standalone package (.msu files) to your Server Core installation and running the .msu file(s).

Installing a specific feature follows the syntax below:

start /w ocsetup <feature-name>

start /w ocsetup BitLocker
start /w ocsetup BitLocker-RemoteAdminTool
start /w ocsetup FailoverCluster-Core
start /w ocsetup WINS-SC

For more information: Server Core Installation Options, Windows Server 2008: Using Server Core as a Print Server, Deploying Windows Server Core, IIS7 on Server Core

So there are some rumors, even doubts about another release candidate (RC2) before shipping the product of for RTM (Release To Manufucturing). Well, Microsoft has actually revealed that by accident...

The Windows Server 2008 build including the Hyper-V Beta is a newer build/compile (6001.17119) than the originally released Windows Server 2008 RC1 (6001.17051).  Now here's the funny part, Microsoft already included the updated EULA which directly mentions RC2.  Although this doesn't mean anything, it seems logic for Microsoft to release one more release candidate before shipping the product.  It wouldn't make sense to add some quite big changes in RC1 (such as Group Policy Preferences) and not take feedback for customer and testers...

To be continued...

Relating reading:

• Hyper-V included in Windows Server 2008 "RC1" x64
• Windows Server 2008 RC1 is publicly available

Some added features on top of the preview-release of Hyper-V (WSV at the time) of the JuneCTP release:

• Quick Migration and cluster high availability - for migration of VMs for planned and unplanned downtime.
• Hyper-V is included by default in Windows Server manager, which means enabling virtualization is as easy as installing any other server role
• Support for running Hyper-V with Server Core in the parent partition
• Volume Shadow Services support
• VHD Tools support (compaction, expansion and inspection)
• Hyper-V administration MMC only installation. The Hyper-V MMC can be installed on Windows Server 2008 without installing the complete Hyper-V role enabling remote management of Hyper-V servers.
• Support for up to 4 virtual SCSI controllers per VM, with 255 VHDs per controller
• Support for multiple network adapters per VM
• Support for up to 64 GB of memory per VM
• Numerous performance, scalability and stability enhancements since the CTP release.

For more information: Windows Server Team blog, Windows Server 2008 Hyper-V homepage

Several people have asked in various forums how to file a bug directly with Microsoft for issues they experience on Windows Server 2008.

The Microsoft Beta Client (MBC) application allows a user to file an issue report on a Microsoft beta release based on a product template loaded into the MBC. At this time, the MBC ships only with a product template for Windows reports.

You can download this client from the following URL: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=43655

Do you need to evaluate, plan, deploy, maintain, or support Windows Server 2008?
Use this guide to quickly find the documentation resources and other technical information that you need.

Windows Server 2008 Documentation Essentials

These links will help you get started with Windows Server 2008.

Learn

• Windows Server 2008 product information: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=90853
• Windows Server 2008 TechCenter: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=86041

Evaluate

• Changes in Functionality from Windows Server 2003 with SP1 to Windows Server 2008: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=90854
• Windows Server 2008 TechNet Virtual Labs: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=90855
• Windows Server 2008 Step-by-Step Guides: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=90856

Troubleshoot

• Windows Server 2008 Troubleshooting: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=90857
• TechNet Troubleshooting and Support: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=90728

Connect with Windows Server 2008 Community

• Windows Server 2008 Forums: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=90920
• Windows Server 2008 Podcasts: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=90919
• Windows Server 2008 Chats: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=90918

Windows Server 2008 Technical Library

Need to learn more about what’s new for key Windows Server 2008 technologies and where to get additional information? These links to the Windows Server 2008 Technical Library will provide you with introductory and technical overviews and other resources.

• Active Directory Certificate Services: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=48545
• Active Directory Domain Services: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=48547
• Active Directory Federation Services: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=48542
• Active Directory Rights Management Services: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=48554
• Application Server: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=48544
• Availability and Scalability: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=90922
• DNS Server: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=48548
• File Services: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=48550
• Group Policy: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=90923
• Network Policy and Access Services: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=48552
• Performance and Reliability: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=90924
• Print Services: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=48553
• Security and Protection: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=90925
• Server Manager: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=48541
• Streaming Media Services: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=48551
• Terminal Services: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=48555
• Web Server: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=48558
• Windows Deployment Services: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=48559

Microsoft Windows Media Services 2008 is an industrial-strength platform for streaming live or on-demand audio and video content to clients over the Internet or an intranet.  Use Windows Media Services 2008 to configure and manage one or more Windows Media servers running on the Windows Server 2008 operating system.

The software is an optional supplement to Microsoft Windows Server 2008. In Windows Server 2008 RC1, the "Streaming Media Services" role (which includes the latest version of Windows Media Services) and remote administration tools are not included in Server Manager. To get the new features and tools available in Windows Media Services for Windows Server 2008 RC1, such as the built-in WMS Cache/Proxy plug-in, you must obtain and run the appropriate Streaming Media Services role installer file on the updated platform.

These Microsoft Update Standalone Package (MSU) files install either 32–bit (x86) or 64–bit (x64) versions of:

• Windows Media Services and the rest of the "Streaming Media Services" role in Server Manager, on “full” installations of Standard, Enterprise, Web, and Datacenter editions of Windows Server 2008 RC1.
• "Streaming Media Services" Server Core role, on Server Core installations of Standard, Enterprise, Web, and Datacenter editions of Windows Server 2008 RC1 (via OCsetup).
• Windows Media Services snap-in for Microsoft Management Console (MMC) on a computer that is running Windows Vista Business, Enterprise, or Ultimate edition.

Download here and run through the release notes.

For more information: How to install Windows Media Services 2008
Additional reading: Windows Media Services 2008 website

Windows Server 2008, which is scheduled to release to manufacturing (RTM) by the February 27 launch event, reached the RC1 milestone today and is available to customers for public download at http://www.microsoft.com/ws08eval.
With RC1, Microsoft is enhancing Group Policy with Group Policy Preferences, formerly known as PolicyMaker Standard Edition and Policy Share Manager. As the code approaches final signoff, RC1 is one of the last opportunities for customers and partners to evaluate it and provide feedback.

The product requires a valid product key for activation within 30 days after installation. 
This time-limited release of Windows Server 2008 Release Candidate will expire on June 30, 2008.
A Customer Technology Preview (CTP) of Windows Server virtualization is also included in this release as a part of the Standard, Enterprise, and Datacenter 64-bit editions.

Choose one of the options above or download a different edition for a 30-day evaluation:

• Windows Server 2008 Standard RC1 (x86 and x64)
• Windows Server 2008 Enterprise RC1 (x86 and x64)
• Windows Server 2008 Datacenter RC1 (x86 and x64)
• Windows Web Server 2008 RC1 (x86 and x64)
• Windows Server 2008 for Itanium-Based Systems RC1