Chapter 13. Configuring a server
This chapter covers
I add servers to my test domain on a regular basis. An organization of any size could be adding many servers over the course of a year, especially if they’re undertaking a major piece of infrastructure work, such as server consolidation or the introduction of a thin client environment using Terminal Services or Citrix. The key premise of this chapter is that you’re adding a new server to a domain. Many of the techniques are still valid in a workgroup environment, but most organizations with more than a handful of computers will be using a domain.
Tip
I’ve assumed in this chapter that the new server has a usable IP address (possibly via DHCP) and that the Windows Firewall is either off or configured to allow remote WMI-based management.
There are a number of tasks you’ll need to perform after the operating system has been installed and prior to the installation of applications. These tasks are common across most servers, providing a good reason for automating them. As you’ll see, the automation of these tasks builds on some of the PowerShell and WMI functions you’ve seen in earlier chapters.