Microsoft Office Pro Plus Pre-Installation Steps f

[buisness5119]

>> -->
With the release of Windows Server 2008, it really is a superb concept now to get started on to practice and learn how to install 2008, implement needed features (similar to roles and also other capabilities) and analyze the new installation selections which are now out there with 2008 for example Core Server set up, by using Windows Deployment Services (WDS) too as unattended installations, upgrades and/or dual boot situations. This short article will cover the fundamentals of installing a complete duplicate of Windows Server 2008 on enterprise class server hardware.

With Windows Server 2008, you can find new equipment to deploy your server. With 2008 you can find that not simply is it much simpler to put in a Windows Server, but now you might have alot more options that suit your production requires and you may now set up (or not install) what it truly is you would like or need. For example, if you desired to be selective and run a server with all the most minimal set of wanted services, then you definitely would find the Server Core selection when running your set up. In case you desired to deploy Windows Server 2008 with an unattended solution file, you’re able to with new solutions and attributes, to generate your deployment much easier.

In this article we cover the basic set up options available for you when deploying a complete duplicate of Windows Server 2008 on an enterprise course server. The article’s goal would be to familiarize and acclimate you for the technique of deploying Windows Server 2008 on techniques in your production network.

Note:
It is important to note that although 2008 is known as a awesome product or service with a large number of new options and enhanced features, you ought to in no way run a beta or check copy of Windows within your production natural environment. It is not supported nor is it a total product or service. At the same time, it is advisable to by no means rollout any new running programs (or run upgrades) on creation techniques or networks with no need of 1st testing the official release in a very test lab to ensure that your programs are compatible, your drivers, your hardware and so on.
Preparing Tasks
The initial step in deploying a Windows Server 2008 system is usually to do all of the analysis necessary upfront to appropriately dimensions your server hardware and get ready for a straightforward set up. There is certainly not ample which could be said about ‘pre-planning’ your installation. Make sure that you may have the many software program you will want, applicable drivers and so forth. You might want to formulate a checklist or some form of listing to help you always keep track of what you require, what it's good to do and what strategies have already been achieved. It is helpful for difficulties that you simply might possibly encounter while in the set up – you can speedily ascertain the source for the difficulty when you have a checklist to abide by so you can retrace your methods. It's best to consistently pre-plan any deployment (no matter how big or modest) and run thorough assessments to ensure you realize what will work and what won't earlier than setting up new systems in your network or upgrading older techniques for example. For yet another illustration, when we earliest commenced to run Windows Server 2008 in its earliest types (Longhorn) for testing purposes, it had been easily determined that it absolutely was extraordinarily complex to install on an enterprise class server owing to the fact that a lot of the enterprise server hardware vendors had yet to create options towards the new release of Windows and most Windows Server 2003 drivers would (and can) not perform on the newest model of Windows, 2008.

One from the largest previously complications when testing Windows Server 2008 was its incompatible RAID drivers that just ceased the set up thoroughly for lack of help and would cease the skill to go on testing. A lot of the methods close to this had been to virtualize the instance, despite the fact that this isn't likely to fit into everyone’s deployment timetable and requirements consequently testing about the enterprise course devices grew to become paramount within our (and other testers) ideas. Organizing your deployment when functioning with an enterprise class server is incredibly vital, not planning will lead to you to manage concerns because they take place and waste your time (such as hunting down updated drivers). When doing work with superior conclude products, it's prevalent to perform immediately using the vendors support group to acquire freshly formulated drivers which might be supported under Windows Server 2008. Just as countless of us (and I am sure quite a few of you) were testing the beta edition of Windows, it was wise to test with HP, Dell as well as other hardware vendors to discover what the availability was (and it is) for up-to-date firmware and software programs through the makers. Some even offered beta guidance which also proved valuable in testing Windows Server 2008 on a RAID array.

So, why a lot fuss about a higher conclude technique – or a person named an ‘enterprise-class’ model? Only set,Windows 7 Enterprise Key, most information centers run their methods on server-class hardware, not Computer based mostly hardware. An enterprise course server is a model that is developed for good sized networks and it is in most cases tremendously successful, scalable and redundant. However it expenditures alot more, it provides you alot more performance and versatility when deploying and is incredibly simple and easy to fix when dilemmas do come up – the servers can even be stored operating without having interruption even when failed components are replaced and/or fixed.

An enterprise course server is able to be scaled approximately meet the demands of enterprise course programs,Microsoft Office Pro Plus, which includes SQL Server, Exchange, and application-based middleware. An enterprise class server ordinarily has superior hardware and lots of times, a lot of these server programs (Dell, HP, IBM, etc) come with their very own software package device suites that are utilised to put in drivers and management software programs into Windows to ensure Windows can interoperate with all the enterprise course hardware. An illustration of a superior end enterprise course strategy will be the HP DL380 as looked at in Figure one.

Figure one: An Enterprise Course Server Process

In Figure 1, you’re able to see that most, if not all hardware set up around the server is redundant. Redundant power supplies, two CPU Slots (a person populated), fans and network connections make it easy for for comprehensive failover capabilities and most if not all of these FRUs are modular, scorching swappable and constructed to keep the server running whatever challenge arises. Match this up with redundant UPS connections and you can feasible attain five nines (99.999) uptime if you should will not must shut down the process considerably, or if just operating one or two updates, hotfixes and service packs as wanted.

One for the key matters you could possibly encounter when setting up Windows Server 2008 comes in the sort of setting up RAID drivers and choosing ones that are supported by Windows Server 2008 in its pre-release sort. Because the inception of NT three.x and four.0, this procedure has never ever been quick. In previously sorts of the running process (as previously mentioned - NT for example), you needed to hit a particular essential (F6) to add RAID drivers even when setting up, force drivers in if not obtainable and fight together with the technique to obtain it to perform effectively and continue to be steady. An awful lot has transformed considering, but 1 factor that will not ever transform is when new running methods arrive out, the vendors really need to keep up and generate software to run around the new platform and that process ordinarily takes time and in most cases never comes out for the duration of the beta process of any new release underway – pretty seldom do you receive completely useful, examined and supported drivers till a complete release. That being stated, it really is achievable to create a RAID array in case you can acquire the drivers and a model that could make it easy for for it until eventually the ultimate release of Windows Server 2008 is official, by then just about each and every operational hardware vendor may have drivers, application and other resources wanting to go for 2008.

Note:
You have to ensure that any computer software resources, firmware and drivers you download and use in their early sorts are checked once more (and up to date if required) as Windows Server 2008 formally hits the industry.

RAID is really fundamental to contemplate and implement when deploying an enterprise class server. Considering that redundancy is vital resulting from surprising challenges (similar to a drive reaching its MTBF) which leads to the drive to fail and brings about the server to crash, you must think about this when deploying a fresh server. RAID is almost nothing in excess of a Redundant Array of Affordable Disks. Figure two exhibits an instance of an Enterprise Class server configured as an array with six SCSI really difficult disks. Figure three shows an external RAID array which could be connected by means of Fiber or SCSI.

Figure 2: Viewing a RAID Array (Internal)

Figure three: Viewing a RAID Array (Exterior)

RAID comes in several ranges. You can actually configure RAID in a great number of means. Table one lists a chart of the most commonly put to use RAID levels and their fault tolerance (or lack thereof).
RAID Level

Type

Fault Tolerant?

Disks Wanted to Implement

RAID 0

Striping

No

2

RAID 1

Duplexing

Yes *

2

RAID 0+1

Striping + Duplexing

Yes

2

RAID 5

Striping with Parity

Yes

3
Table 1: Most Often utilised RAID Amounts

* Notice:
Duplexing and Mirroring are comparable in that they both use two disks and every carry a copy in the info, the key big difference lies inside disk controller. When two disk controllers are used (1 for each and every disk), this is duplexing. This also increases fault tolerance. When mirroring is made use of there is certainly only one controller. Despite the fact that you have got two disks in use, your single point of failure becomes the controller itself.

Note:
Striping is normally used for an increase in performance whereas parity is applied to add ‘redundancy’ to your solution. Parity frequently increases your ought for disk space to carry a duplicate for the parity information.


Although there are quite a few other RAID amounts, these are absolutely essentially the most regularly utilised today. You could also mix and match RAID amounts based on how you establish your partitions. You must know the available levels and know which stage(s) you choose to use after you deploy.

Once you could have selected the enterprise class hardware you wish to use, you must be sure that you've every one of the drivers and software system desired for deployment. As 2008 is fairly new (just getting ready for prime time) as talked about in advance of, it’s likely that you will not have complete driver support, or in some cases, the management software program chosen for the server, could possibly not run on 2008. Because of this, it’s necessary to create certain that you've got visited Microsoft’s Web site to verify for the current drivers and software and then verify your server vendors Web site to test for any updates they have at the same time. You'll be able to also discuss selections about the server hardware in a pre or post sales vendor meeting or contact them directly though their assistance centers. In either case, you'll discover yourself in the better position when you have planned out your install in advance, have gathered all of the needed software program and drivers and prepped the server effectively for set up.

Note:
Always use RAID – Disks are meant to fail. The MTBF (which stands for mean time between failures) may be a reliability rating method employed to indicate the expected failure rate of a merchandise in power on hours (POH). This being reported, drives ‘will’ fail and you absolutely really need to make certain that you have a way to resolve a failed drive when in fact it does.
Strategy Requirements
When deploying Windows Server 2008, it’s necessary to take into consideration and adhere for the minimum requirements essential for the model for being set up. If you really don't meet the bare minimum requirements, the installation will not carry on. Table 2 reveals a listing of minimum and maximum strategy requirement levels for your review.

Component

Minimum

Maximum

CPU

1 GHz (for x86 processors) or 1.4 GHz (for x64 processors)

2 GHz or faster

RAM

512 MB

2 GB or more

Hard Disk (System Partition)

10 GB Free Space

40 GB or more

Media

DVD-ROM drive

DVD-ROM drive

Monitor

Super VGA (800 x 600) or higher-resolution monitor

Super VGA (800 x 600) or higher-resolution monitor

Peripherals

Keyboard and mouse (or other compatible pointing device)

Keyboard and mouse (or other compatible pointing device)

Table 2: Windows Server 2008 Program Requirements

When sizing your set up, you need to usually give consideration to the pre-planning discussed previously. If you should possess a checklist or worksheet that reveals you the processing electrical power with the combined applications about the server that could be deployed, you could track down that you simply should add CPU’s, or increase their electrical power for example. Other confusing items may very well be dual core CPU’s. It may want to be noted that CPU performance depends not simply on the clock frequency of your processor, but also on the number of processor cores and the dimension of the processor cache. An Intel Itanium two processor is required for Windows Server 2008 for Itanium-Based Programs for example. Now that you just understand what you will need, let’s begin deploying Windows Server 2008.
Configuring your Hardware
To set up Windows Server 2008 effectively, you must earliest configure your hardware. When operating with enterprise class server systems that include the HP DL380,Windows 7 Enterprise, you may want to configure your storage correctly, to ensure that it is possible to install Windows Server 2008 within the necessary complicated disk space requirements. To undertake this, you might really need to configure RAID. To configure RAID, you are likely to likely have to use your servers BIOS, or the management utility that came with it. During this example, we will use the process BIOS.

Figure four: Configuring a RAID Array

Earlier we pointed out which you can have multiple RAID ranges exist around the same Server. Figure five demonstrates the BIOS configuration for an HP DL380 currently being prepared for an installation of Windows Server 2008. Here within this instance we are configuring the HP Smart Array 6i which arrives with its own controller, or HBA (Host Bus Adapter). In figure 5, you can configure the drives for redundancy.

Figure five: Configuring Logical Drives in the Array

Once RAID is configured and setup, you could now install Windows Server 2008 around the recently prepared hardware.

Note:
Always use RAID if likely. From the previous example, the drives had been configured so that a program crash or hardware failure could be corrected through the use of RAID. For the previous illustration, the disks in which the operating strategy is set up are mirrored inside a RAID 0+1 configuration. The remaining disks are configured to help RAID five with a hot spare. With this kind of configuration you’re able to avert disaster by having a backup for your mirrored strategy drive, including a backup for your data located around the second RAID configuration. While in the BIOS it will show up as two logical drives (a single with almost 70 GB of space) and the 2nd drive with over 200 GB of space. Now, you may set up Windows without the need of challenge, with plenty of usable space ‘and’ when you experience any kind of disk failure, it is likely that you simply can immediately repair and resolve the situation with this kind of configuration.
Manually Setting up Windows Server 2008
A Windows Server 2008 manual installation is fairly effortless. Once you may have every one of the pre-planning and pre-requisites established all you have to do now is run the installation program and get began. The checklist or worksheet that was recommended have to point you during the direction of getting the disks and/or software all set for the installation approach. It's best to view and check the integrity of your disks ahead of the set up operation begins.

When installing Windows Server 2008, you will find that setup functions in several stages:
First of all, you set from the set up media (if putting in from CD/DVD-ROM) and then operating the installation program if auto-install does not kick off. Figure 6 shows the initial dialog to put in Windows Server 2008. Click next and begin the installation. Once you choose to ‘Install Now’, you are likely to be given the possibility to configure and enter the activation key.
Figure six: Setting up Windows Server 2008
Next, enter the activation vital and click - Next. In the event you really don't possess a critical, you can expect to not be ready to use Windows Server 2008 at all. Once you could have entered the primary, you might now be given a choice on what choice of set up you would like to begin. Figure 7 demonstrates that you just can find a full installation (which we will do here), or a Server Core, which only installs the basic services and performance needed, not the full process. The two possibilities are:
- Windows Server 2008 (Full Installation): This choice installs the full set up of Windows Server 2008. This set up includes the entire user interface, and it supports all of the server roles.
- Windows Server 2008 (Server Core Installation): This possibility installs a minimal server installation of Windows Server 2008, which you'll be able to use to run supported server roles through the command prompt interface.
Figure 7: Picking a Full Set up or Server Core
Next, agree to the license terms and click Next to keep on. For those who never agree, you certainly will not be capable to install Windows Server 2008. Next, you can agree to an installation, or if the installation program detects a pervious installation of Windows, it will ask you for a standard upgrade or custom set up which will install a fresh copy of Windows Server 2008 in your system. Next it is possible to configure drive alternatives. Any time you pick out ‘Advanced’, you'll be able to configure the specifics of your drives and partitions and how you desire Windows to layout the process on your drives.
Note:
You must guarantee that whenever you select the alternative to do an upgrade that you've in simple fact checked what you can actually (or can’t upgrade to and from). With Windows Server 2008 having been released to manufacturing and on its track to worldwide availability,Windows 7 Activation, one particular aspect of your transition on the new server platform concerns the upgrade paths from Windows Server 2003 which is what most customers are currently running. Once you are running Windows Server 2003 as part of your enterprise and utilizing 2003 based mostly ADS, DNS, and DHCP and so forth, you are the ‘best’ candidate for an upgrade.

It’s been recommended by Microsoft that if you aren’t operating an ‘ideal’ or ‘optimum’ scenario such as this, you are best served with a ‘clean installation’ scenario. In this particular case, you are likely to really need to backup all of your creation info, install (and upgrade) to Windows Server 2008, check thoroughly and then add data and make sure that everything is operating properly and as expected. As outlined previously with this article, it will be extremely sensible to check all of your software system, drivers, firmware, programs and programs ‘before’ installing or upgrade to 2008. That currently being said, in case you do in truth upgrade (or set up fresh), you can know that your applications get the job done in advance and will not cause you problems when moving into production.
Now, the files will install in your system and the installation will commence. Once the installation has been completed, you are going to now be prepared to log on and use Windows Server 2008 for the first time as seen in Figure 8.
Figure 8: Logging into Windows Server 2008 for the primary Time

Now that you've got a utterly set up Windows Server 2008 program operating on enterprise-class hardware and entered into production… it is important to now examine your method logs and be sure which you do in reality have everything running effectively and as expected. It also helps to now get a baseline in the method and see how it operates under no load, expected load and then do periodic and scheduled checks as you carry on to use your strategy to make sure that it in reality is running as expected.
Installing a Server Core
Although this article’s focus isn't about the Server Core installation, it should really be outlined and links are provided for extra information if you ever have to have it. When putting in a Server Core set up of Windows Server 2008 on an x86-based or x64-based server, you'll be prompted for the duration of Setup to install one of the most minimal set of requirements necessary for elementary (or purpose driven) features and extreme security. This opportunity installs a minimal server set up of Windows Server 2008, which you could use to run supported server roles through the command prompt interface and will only give you exactly what it is you ask for. This is very reminiscent to the says of Novell NetWare, and today’s Unix and Linux based mostly programs.

When you pick out this method, Setup will install the files which are required for the selected server roles to perform only – nothing at all much more will be set up not having your knowledge or decision.

As an instance, the GUI which we all know as the windows interface will not be installed—you configure and manage the server locally through the command prompt only and can not be given an opportunity to effort within the GUI because it merely won't exist! It is important to have a look at this method because it will reduce the servicing and management requirements and the overall attack surface of your strategy which in turn helps to enforce your security policy and so forth.

Note:
There are other installations methods that may be covered in future articles and can also be uncovered below with the link section of this article. It is easy to run a Server Core installation which only installs the bare minimum functionality desired, unattended setups and multiple installations simultaneously. It is recommended that whatever set up method you choose, you spend quality time beforehand developing pre-planning tips, designs, and any other checklists/worksheets that may support you deploy the method with ease.

Once you have your Windows Server 2008 system set up and configured, you could encounter a couple of situations. To resolve them, just take notice on the challenge (any error codes, screenshots and warning messages) that has occurred and look it up online, in books or try to recreate on the non-production test-lab technique.
Troubleshooting Your Installation
When putting in Windows Server 2008, you might run into matters that could want your attention. As stated previously, if you ever don't (or did not) get any up to date drivers through the vendors, or providers of your systems and service – its likely that you simply will encounter set up issues with your model. Even if you should have all of what you believe you will need, you could still encounter problems. Some sudden matters you could possibly encounter include the following checklist. A few of the alot more ‘obscure’ matters you could encounter include (but not limited to):
Incorrect,Windows 7 X86, unusable or unsupported drivers, firmware, hardware, computer software (applications, programs, etc) and lack of vendor updates, patches and fixes. Unsupported file techniques such as FAT. Loss of energy even when putting in – if over network, loss of connectivity whilst running installation. Corrupted set up media. If making use of a DVD-ROM for instance, the set up media may possibly become corrupted. Sometimes when putting in an ISO to a disk for set up, the burn speed (if too huge as en illustration) can result in an unusable disk. Any error messages which you cannot decrypt really need to be looked up around the Microsoft Assist site and Knowledge base for further clarification.
Note:
If you are having dilemmas with an ‘upgrade’, ensure that you are following the correct upgrade paths posted by Microsoft:
Users of Windows Server 2003 Standard Edition (R2, SP1 or SP2) can perform a full installation of Windows Server 2008 Standard Edition or Enterprise Edition. From Windows Server 2003 Enterprise Edition (R2, SP1 or SP2) it is easy to upgrade to a full set up of Windows Server 2008 Enterprise Edition From Windows Server 2003 Datacenter Edition (R2, SP1 or SP2), you can actually upgrade to a total installation of Windows Server 2008 Datacenter Edition. Summary
In this informative article we covered the fundamental concepts of putting in Windows Server 2008 on enterprise course servers and hardware similar to initial preparation, deployment procedures and caveats to watch out for. In this write-up we learned the basics of setting up Windows Server 2008 (full installation) on hardware, configuring RAID and ensuring that the installation went smoothly. To know significantly more about Windows Server 2008, Installations as well as other handy tips, examine out the rest of the site and the links section below.
Links
Windows Deployment Services
Configuring WDS
Installation Notes
Server roles on hand in Server Core installations Methods for Server Core Installation 2008 Set up Readme