As is Microsoft’s habit these days, a command-line tool exists to provide some of Server Manager’s functionality. The tool is servermanagercmd.exe, and here are a few of its major qualifiers.
1. query (runs a discovery operation and reports what’s installed and what’s not, as well as providing the “code names” of each role and subordinate role)
2. install (you can also specify required settings with – setting)
3. remove
4. inputPath (processes an XML-formatted answer file)
Typing the command with the /? qualifier presents more detailed help text if you want to explore this tool further. Be forewarned, the syntax can get fairly complex.
I’m about out of space for today, so I will just briefly mention that Server Manager also gives you convenient access to the following tools and consoles, via the navigation pane:
Diagnostics
- Event Viewer
- Services
- Reliability and Performance Monitor
- Device Manager
Configuration
- Task Scheduler
- Windows Firewall with Advanced Security
- WMI Control
- Local Users and Groups
Storage
- Windows Server Backup
Disk Management
See January’s posts…
How to setup Features in WS2008
Configuring a Role in WS2008: NOT as easy as can be
Adding a role to WS2008: Easy as can be
The purpose of roles in Windows Server 2008
Meet Windows Server 2008 ‘Server Manager’ — your new management cockpit
