Windows Server Core Commands and Cmdlets

Useful Server Core Commands

All configuration, management, and troubleshooting of Windows Server Core is done from the command line. Available utilities enable you to perform almost all regular configuration tasks in this fashion. In Windows Server 2012 and 2012 R2, many of the commands used with Server Core in Windows Server 2008 have been replaced by PowerShell cmdlets. Table 2-3 describes some of the more useful available commands.

Table 2-3 Useful Windows Server Core Commands and Cmdlets

Command	Meaning
netdom join computername /domain:domainname	Joins an Active Directory domain. You will be prompted for the username and password of a user with domain administrator privileges.
Sconfig.cmd	Configures and manages a series of common Server Core installation properties. See Figure 2-7.
cscript scregedit.wsf	Enables automatic updates.
Get-WindowsFeature	Displays roles and features currently installed on the server.
Install-WindowsFeature	Adds roles or features.
Uninstall-WindowsFeature	Removes roles or features.
netsh interface IPv4	Includes a series of subcommands that enable you to configure IPv4 networking.
netsh advfirewall	Includes subcommands that enable you to configure the Windows firewall.
Help	Provides a list of all available Windows Server Core commands.

Figure 2-7 The Sconfig.cmd utility enables you to perform many basic configuration actions on a Server Core computer.

Available commands also include most commands formerly used with MS-DOS and previous Windows versions. We discuss many Server Core commands and PowerShell cmdlets in various chapters of this book and other Cert Guide books in this series.

NOTE

For additional information on installing Windows Server Core, as well as any of these commands or other commands available in Windows Server Core, type the command name followed by /? or consult “Configure and Manage Server Core Installations” at http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/jj574091.aspx. For additional information on the available Windows Server 2012 R2 installation options, refer to “Windows Server Installation Options” at http://technet.microsoft.com/library/hh831786.