Basic server configuration tasks that may be overlooked due to lack of the initial configuration tasks window and lack of visual reference.

Let this post serve as a check list for some essential tasks to perform on your Server Core installation before doing more advanced configuration.

Add a product ID and activate Windows Server

Entering product ID Key:

cscript c:\windows\system32\slmgr.vbs -ipk _PRODUCT KEY _

Online Activation:

cscript c:\windows\system32\slmgr.vbs -ato

Set time zone

The following command will open the graphical interface on a typical Windows Server 2008 server:

control timedate.cpl

Configure IP Settings

Show Current Network Interfaces

netsh interface ipv4 show interfaces

Configure Static IP

netsh interface ipv4 set address name=”” source=static address= mask= gateway=

Configure DNS Server

netsh interface ipv4 add dnsserver name=”” address=index=1

Set computer name

netdom renamecomputer localhost /newname:new_computername

Download and Install Updates

Note: This will provide no individual selection or progress of patches. It is essential a “blind” update.

wuauclt /detectnow