Installing Windows Server

# CHAPTER 2

Installing Windows Server #

1. Introduction #

2. Learning Objectives #

• Identify the minimum hardware requirements for installing Windows Server.

• Differentiate between the "Server Core" and "Desktop Experience" installation types.

• Understand how to create bootable installation media.

• Navigate the Windows Server installation wizard.

• Execute mandatory post-installation tasks (Computer Name, Static IP, Updates).

3. Hardware Requirements #

• Processor: 1.4 GHz 64-bit processor

• RAM: 512 MB (2 GB for Desktop Experience installation)

• Disk Space: 32 GB absolute minimum

• Network: An Ethernet adapter capable of at least gigabit throughput.

*(Note: These are absolute minimums. A production database server will likely require 64GB+ of RAM and massive SSD arrays).*

4. Server Core vs. Desktop Experience #

1. Desktop Experience: This installs the full Graphical User Interface (GUI). You get a Start menu, File Explorer, and graphical tools.

• *Pros:* Extremely easy to learn and manage for beginners.

• *Cons:* Consumes heavily on RAM and CPU, requires more frequent reboots for graphical updates, and presents a larger "attack surface" for hackers.

2. Server Core: This installs a stripped-down, purely command-line interface. When the server boots, you see nothing but a black terminal window.

• *Pros:* Uses almost zero RAM for the OS, highly secure, requires fewer patches, and rarely needs to reboot.

• *Cons:* Requires advanced knowledge of PowerShell or remote management tools.

*Best Practice:* Microsoft highly recommends Server Core for production environments. However, for the duration of this beginner course, we will assume you are utilizing the Desktop Experience to visualize the concepts.

5. The Installation Process #

1. 1. Boot Media: Insert the Windows Server ISO via a USB drive (using tools like Rufus) or mount the ISO file directly to a Virtual Machine in Hyper-V/VMware.

1. 2. Boot the System: Press any key to boot from the CD/DVD/USB.

1. 3. Language & Time: Select your regional settings and click "Install Now."

1. 4. Select OS Edition: Choose Windows Server 2022 Standard (Desktop Experience). *(If you accidentally choose just "Standard", you will get Server Core!)*

1. 5. Accept Terms: Accept the EULA.

1. 6. Installation Type: Choose Custom: Install Windows only (advanced). (You are installing a fresh OS, not upgrading an old one).

1. 7. Drive Selection: Select the unallocated hard drive space and click Next. The installation will now copy files and reboot.

6. Post-Installation Configuration #

The 3 Mandatory Steps:

1. 1. Change the Computer Name: By default, Windows names the server something random like WIN-X89234K. You must rename it to something logical (e.g., DC01 for Domain Controller 01) and restart the server.

1. 2. Set a Static IP Address: Servers cannot use dynamic IP addresses that change randomly. You must open Network Connections and assign a permanent, static IP address.

1. 3. Install Windows Updates: A fresh installation is highly vulnerable to security exploits. Run Windows Update immediately.

7. Diagrams/Visual Suggestions #

8. Best Practices #

• Use the sconfig Utility: If you accidentally install Server Core, or simply want a fast way to configure a server, type sconfig in the terminal. This launches a text-based, menu-driven interface that allows you to easily change the computer name, set a static IP, and download updates without needing complex PowerShell commands.

9. Common Mistakes #

• Forgetting to set a Static IP: If an administrator installs a File Server and leaves the IP configuration on DHCP (automatic), the IP address might change after a weekend reboot. On Monday morning, all 500 employee laptops will fail to connect to the shared drives because they are looking for the old IP address.

10. Mini Project: Server Preparation Walkthrough #

1. 1. Open PowerShell as Administrator on your new server.

1. 2. Rename the Computer:

Rename-Computer -NewName "FILE-SRV-01" -Restart

1. 3. *(After Reboot)* Set a Static IP Address:

# Get the name of your network adapter
Get-NetAdapter

# Assign the Static IP
New-NetIPAddress -InterfaceAlias "Ethernet" -IPAddress "192.168.1.50" -PrefixLength 24 -DefaultGateway "192.168.1.1"

# Set the DNS Server
Set-DnsClientServerAddress -InterfaceAlias "Ethernet" -ServerAddresses "8.8.8.8"

You have just configured a production-ready baseline server in two minutes!

11. Practice Exercises #

1. 1. Explain the architectural and security advantages of deploying "Server Core" instead of the "Desktop Experience."

1. 2. Detail the three mandatory post-installation configuration steps that must occur before promoting a Windows Server into a production environment.

12. MCQs with Answers #

13. Interview Questions #

• Q: A junior engineer argues that all new servers should be installed with the "Desktop Experience" because it is easier to manage. As a senior administrator, present a technical argument for why "Server Core" is the preferred Microsoft standard for enterprise infrastructure.

• Q: Explain the catastrophic network consequences of failing to assign a Static IP address to a newly deployed DNS or File Server.

• Q: Walk me through the exact PowerShell cmdlets you would execute to change a newly installed server's hostname to WEB-01 and reboot the machine.

14. FAQs #

15. Summary #

16. Next Chapter Recommendation #