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5) IP SLA Monitor
6) BgInfo
7) Net-SNMP
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9) Exchange Monitor
10) WinDiff
Windows Server 2008 - How to Add Roles
Windows Server 2008 - How to Add Roles
The key to managing your Windows Server 2008 network is planning then configuring server roles. Questions to ask include, 'How many servers do we need?'. Which roles do I need on each server, for example, DNS, *AD DS, File and Print.
This planning stage could also be a good time to analyze your connections to the outside world, and appraise the need for old configurations such as **DMZ and ***RADIUS servers, with new ideas such as ****NPAS servers and a remediation network.
* Active Directory Directory Service, ** Demilitarised Zone, *** Remote Authentication Dial-in User Service, **** Network Policy and Access Services.
For each individual Windows Server 2008, the place to start in your task of adding and configuring the pre-defined roles is in the Server Manager.
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Launch the Server Manager
The Windows 2008 version of Server Manager is intelligent enough to work out dependencies and to install any necessary underlying services automatically.
With the Add Roles Wizard you get the chance to inspect the services and also to configure options for that particular role.
- Click on the Windows 'Start' button on the Task bar
- Type 'Server' in the dialog box
- Double-click the Program 'Server Manager.
Customize This Server
Once your Server Manager appears, scroll down to ' 3) Customize This Server'. Now you can click 'Add roles'.
Add Roles Wizard
Some roles have their own second level Services Wizard, for example, the File Services include the option to install DFS and Search. [IIS not installed by default]
Select Server Roles:
- Active Directory Certificate Services
- Active Directory Domain Services
- Active Directory Federation Services
- Active Directory Lightweight Directory Services
- Active Directory Rights Management Services
- Application Server
- DHCP Server
- DNS Server
- Fax Server
- File Services
- Hyper-V (64bit editions only)
- Network Policy and Access Services
- Print Services
- UDDI Services
- Web Services (IIS)
- Windows Deployment Services
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Group Your Roles
- Active Directory Domain Services (Domain Controller)
- DNS Server
- DHCP Server
Alternatively:
- Application Server
- File Services
- Print Services
Maybe
- Terminal Services
- Network Policy and Access Services
Two Additional Roles
- Core (No GUI)
- RODC (Read-only domain controller)
Select Server Roles
Remember to re-visit the Server Manager at regular intervals so that you can configure additional roles or add new features.
Guy Recommends: The Orion Network Performance Monitor (NPM) 9.5
Orion's performance monitor is designed for detecting network outages. This NPM will guide you through troubleshooting by indicating whether the root cause is a broken link, faulty equipment or resource overload. Because it produces network-centric views, it is intuitive to navigate, and as result you can see easily what's working and what's not.
Perhaps Orion's best feature is the way it suggests solutions. Moreover, if problems arise out of the blue, then you can configure Orion NPM 9.5 to notify members of your team what's changed and how to fix it.
If you are interested in testing a professional performance monitor on your network, then I recommend that you take advantage of Solarwinds' offer of a download a free trial of Orion's Network Performance Monitor.
Server Manager
The Server Manager is the hub of Windows Server 2008. This is the place to install roles and features and check that they are working correctly.
Server Manager goes right back to the days of NT 3.5. However, in Windows Server 2003 it took a back seat in the form of, 'Configure your Server' or 'Manage your Server'. At the time, these Configure or Manage Server menus seemed an unnecessary restrictive layer, consequently, I preferred to invest time in creating an MMC console and then adding my favourite snap-ins. See more on the 2008 Server Manager.
Server Roles
The term 'Roles' when applied to Windows Server 2008 has the same connotation as the word 'Role' in medium to large size company. Human resources manager, Secretary to the MD, financial director. In other words 'Role' describes a person primary job. In a smaller company one person may take on server roles, thus it is with Windows Server 2008, the server's role maybe DHCP, DNS, and Active Directory.
ServerMangerCMD.exe Cmdline options - like PowerShell
Windows Server 2008 Features and Services
If you didn't find a Windows Server 2008 amongst the Roles, the chances are it's amongst the 20+ 'Features. See here more about how to add Windows Server 2008's features.
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Summary of the Roles in Windows Server 2008.
Just because you are good at computing does not mean that you are good at planning or organizing. Perhaps with W2K3 you got by through being above average at troubleshooting and having an intuitive understanding of the technology. Also after 5 years of Windows Server 2003 you have things figured out and the servers are running smoothly. Come Windows Server 2008 and you are going to have to learn new tricks, so make it a personal challenge to learn the best of the new technology as fast as possible.
If you think of the new 'Roles' management techniques as your friends, then they will help you reach new levels of technical expertise. If on the other hand, you fight the wizards then the struggle will sap your energy and you will miss an opportunity to learn new ways of configuring old tasks.
Train Signal has
now released their
Windows Server 2008 Training Course. As an MCT
trainer, I am a huge advocate of Train Signals products. What particularly
impresses is me is the demonstrations. If
you are looking for a complete DETAILED coverage of Windows Server 2008, then I highly recommend that you give this course a try. I have reviewed their
6 hours plus of videos myself, and I guarantee that you will
not be disappointed!
Watch a Windows Server 2008 Training Video Demo.
Microsoft Windows Server 2008 Topics:
Server 2008 Home Overview What's New? Migration Advice Install Editions
AD DC Roles Features Hyper-V UAC IPv6 GP Preferences ipMonitor
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