Windows 2008 R2 Server Core Installation​​​

After the normal hardware/firmware setup, insert the Windows 2008 R2 x64/x32 DVD and select Windows 2008 R2 Standard/Enterprise Server Core Version.  Complete installation as normal.  When the system has booted two times, you'll be prompted to input the new Administrator password twice.  Instead of the standard desktop via Windows Explorer, you'll have a permanent command shell.  This list of instructions will get you started with the new interface.  

Use this command to show the network cards:

netsh interface ipv4 show interfaces

note = Idx - use to add features to the NIC instead of having to type out "Local Area Connection" in following NIC commands

Set the IP version 4 address information for the destination NIC:

netsh inter ipv4 set address name=3 source=static address=xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx mask=255.255.255.xxx gateway=xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx

Set DNS servers (index 1 has higher priority than subsequent numbers):

netsh inter ipv4 add dnsserver name=3 address=xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx  index=1

netsh inter ipv4 add dnsserver name=3 address=xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx  index=2

Change Server Name:

netdom renamecomputer %computername% /NewName:My-NewServer01
Note = Reboot required  -  shutdown /r /t 0   <- Reboot command

There is a good suite of GUI-based tools to make your job easier.  Download the tool to a memory stick or CD then make a folder on your C: drive and copy the files into it.

for example:

md c:\gui

copy d:\. c:\gui

c:

cd\gui

run the command -> visualcore2008.exe

Use the visualcore2008 tool to update all the security patches before joining the domain.

(You can also run SCONFIG.CMD from any folder.  The MS tool has some nice features)

To join the Domain:

netdom join My-NewServer01 /domain:My.Domain.com /userd:xxxxxx /passwordd:xxxx

note = reboot required  shutdown /r /t 0

If you need to leave the Domain:

netdom remove My-NewServer01 /domain:My.Domain.com /userd:xxxxx /passwordd:xxxx

Adding the product key to the Server:

slmgr.vbs –ipk xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx (use the dashes)

note = wait for acknowledgement

Once the key has been added, activate the server:

slmgr.vbs -ato

note = wait for confirmation

If you want to check the license:

slmgr.vbs /dli

Setup Server for RDP:

cscript C:\Windows\System32\Scregedit.wsf /ar 0

cscript C:\Windows\System32\Scregedit.wsf /ar /v

cscript C:\Windows\System32\Scregedit.wsf /cs 0

netsh advfirewall firewall set rule group="Remote Desktop" new enable=yes


You'll also want to add users to your "Remote Desktop Users" group:

net localgroup "Remote Desktop Users" "domain\domain admins" /add

When you're finished with your session, you can logout via:


shutdown /L

If this is a VM, install the tools via the console: VM, Guest, Install VMWare Tools

Check Vsphere server summary when finished.

References:

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ee441257(WS.10).aspx 

http://ss64.com/nt/slmgr.html 

http://www.petri.co.il/install-windows-updates-on-windows-server-2008-r2-core.htm 
http://www.petri.co.il/managing-windows-2008-server-core-locally.htm