Jan 212022
 
sconfig Server Configuration menu

We’re all used to updating our Windows Server operating systems with the Windows Update GUI, but did you know that you can update your server using command prompt and “sconfig”?

The past few years I’ve been managing quite a few Windows Server Core Instances that as we all know, do not have a GUI. In order to update those instances, you need to run Windows Update using the command line, but this method actually also works on normal Windows Server instances with the GUI as well!

Windows Update from CLI (Command Prompt)

Please enjoy this video or read on for why and how!

Why?

Using a GUI is great, however sometimes it’s not needed, and sometimes it even causes problems if it looses the backend connection where it’s pulling the data from. I’ve seen this true on newer Windows operating systems where the Windows Update GUI stops updating and you just sit there thinking the updates are running, when they are actually all complete.

The GUI also creates additional overhead and clutter. If there was an easier alternative to perform this function, wouldn’t it just make sense?

On Windows Server instances that have a GUI, I find it way faster and more responsive to just open an elevated (Administrative) command prompt, and kick off Windows Updates from there.

How

You can use this method on all modern Windows Server versions:

  • Windows Server (with a GUI)
  • Windows Server Core (without a GUI)

This also works with Windows Server Update Services so you can use this method either connecting to Windows Update (Microsoft Update) or Windows Server Update Services (WSUS).

Now lets get started!

  1. Open an Administrative (elevated) command prompt
  2. Run “sconfig” to launch the “Server Configuration” application
    command prompt launch sconfig
  3. Select option “6” to “Download and Install Windows Updates”
    sconfig Server Configuration menu
  4. Choose “A” for all updates, or “R” for recommended updates, and a scan will start
  5. After the available updates are shown, choose “A” for all updates, “N” for no updates, or “S” for single update selection

After performing the above, the updates will download and install.

sconfig Windows Update running
“sconfig” Windows Update downloading and installing

I find it so much easier to use this method when updating many/multiple servers instead of the GUI. Once the updates are complete and you’re back at the “Server Configuration” application, you can use option “13” to restart Windows.

Oct 112021
 
Windows Server 2022 Logo

Today we’re going to discuss and deploy Active Directory Certificate Services on a Windows Server 2022 Server. Additionally, we’ll also be generating a domain certificate request inside of IIS and then assign the resultant certificate to a WSUS Server.

This video will demonstrate and explain the process of deploying a Windows Server 2022 Certification Authority with AD CS.

Check it out and feel free to leave a comment! Scroll down below for more information and details on the guide.

Windows Server 2022: Active Directory Certificate Services Discussion and Installation Guide

Who’s this guide for

This guide is perfect for a seasoned IT professional or a beginner who is looking at getting experience with Windows Server 2022.

What’s included in the video

In this guide I will walk you through the following:

  • Discussion
    • SSL Certificates (Host verification)
    • Internal Root Certification Authorities (Root CAs)
    • Internal Root CA vs Public Trusted Root CAs
    • HTTPS Scanning (Web Filtering) and SSL Certificates
    • Intermediate Certificate Authorities
    • Why ADCS?
    • AD CS Certificate Templates
    • Encryption
    • Certificate Issuance
  • Demonstration
    • Server Manager Role Installation
    • MMC Snap-in for Certificates (Local Computer)
      • Root CAs
    • Install Active Directory Certificate Services (AD CS)
      • Add Server Role
      • Root CA Trust Discussion
      • AD CS Installation on Domain Controller Installation
      • AD CS Prerequisites
      • Web Enrollment Discussion
      • AD CS and IIS Discussion
    • Install Internet Information Services (IIS) as pre-requisite
    • Configure Active Directory Certificate Services (AD CS)
      • Credentials
      • Role Configuration
      • Enterprise CA vs Standalone CA
      • Root CA vs Subordinate CA
      • Private Key Creation and Cryptographic options
      • Root CA Naming
      • Validity Period
    • Certification Authority MMC Usage
    • Root CA Replication to Domain (“gpupdate /force” and restart)
    • AD CS Certificate Templates Overview
      • Certificate Templates MMC
      • Duplicate and Customize Web Server Certificate Template
      • Enable Auto-Enrollment for Certificate Template
    • Use IIS to request certificate from Active Directory Certification Authority
      • Create Domain Certificate
    • Enable SSL on WSUS Server using Active Directory Certificate Services Certificate
      • Bind new certificate to IIS Web Server
      • Update GPO to reflect SSL URL and port number
      • Run “iisreset” on elevated command prompt
    • Demonstration Summary

What’s required

To get started you’ll need:

  • 1 x Server (Virtual Machine or Physical Server)
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2022 Licensing
  • A running Windows Server 2022 Instance (OSE)
  • A network router and/or firewall

Hardware/Software used in this demonstration

  • VMware vSphere
  • HPE DL360p Gen8 Server
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2022
  • pfSense Firewall
Sep 252021
 
Windows Server 2022 Logo

Today, I will be showing you howto install, configure, and deploy Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) on Windows Server 2022. I’ll also show you how to use the WSUS MMC interface, approve/manage updates, and more!

This video will demonstrate the process of the WSUS role installation, post-installation tasks, first-time WSUS configuration wizard, and the WSUS MMC.

Check it out and feel free to leave a comment! Scroll down below for more information and details on the guide.

Who’s this guide for

This guide is perfect for a seasoned IT professional or a beginner who is looking at getting experience with Windows Server 2022.

What’s included in the video

In this guide I will walk you through the following:

  • Server Manager
    • Windows Server Update Services Role Installation
  • WSUS Considerations and Requirements
    • WID (Windows Internal Database)
    • SQL Express
    • GPO Group Policy Objects
    • WSUS Maintenance
    • Upstream and Downstream WSUS Servers
    • Bandwidth Optimization
  • WSUS Usage and Platform
    • WSUS Infrastructure Design
    • WSUS Synchronization Schedule
    • WSUS Language, Products, and Classifications selections
    • WSUS MMC Overview
    • “gpupdate /force” command usage
    • WSUS Update Approval
    • WSUS Reporting

Additional Information

Please see below (click to enlarge) for a WSUS GPO Configuration Example.

GPO Settings for WSUS Configuration
WSUS GPO Configuration Example

Please Note: This example contains configuration to automatically install updates. This example should only be used for workstations and not servers. Please use this example as a guide for your own study.

What’s required

To get started you’ll need:

  • 1 x Server (Virtual Machine or Physical Server)
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2022 Licensing
  • A running Windows Server 2022 Instance (OSE)
  • A network router and/or firewall

Hardware/Software used in this demonstration

  • VMware vSphere
  • HPE DL360p Gen8 Server
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2022
  • pfSense Firewall

Blog Posts mentioned in this video

Sep 192021
 
Windows Server 2022 Logo

Today we’re deploying a Windows Server 2022 member server and joining it to the domain we created in previous videos. I’ll also be explaining the difference between Domain Credentials and Local Credentials on member servers.

This video will demonstrate and explain the process of deploying a Windows Server 2022 member server, network configuration, DHCP vs Static IPs, and domain credentials vs local credentials.

Check it out and feel free to leave a comment! Scroll down below for more information and details on the guide.

Who’s this guide for

This guide is perfect for a seasoned IT professional or a beginner who is looking at getting experience with Windows Server 2022.

What’s included in the video

In this guide I will walk you through the following:

  • Document a new Server deployment
  • Configure Networking
  • Join Windows Server 2022 Server to domain as member server
  • Discussion on time importance with Active Directory and Domains
  • Discussion on Domain Credentials vs Local Credentials

What’s required

To get started you’ll need:

  • 1 x Server (Virtual Machine or Physical Server)
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2022 Licensing
  • A running Windows Server 2022 Instance (OSE)
  • A network router and/or firewall

Hardware/Software used in this demonstration

  • VMware vSphere
  • HPE DL360p Gen8 Server
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2022
  • pfSense Firewall
Sep 192021
 
Windows Server 2022 Logo

Today, I will show you how to create an Active Directory Domain on Windows Server 2022.

This video will demonstrate and explain the process of configuring, and deploying a Windows Server 2022 instance as a Domain Controller, DNS Server, and DHCP Server and then setting up a standard user.

Check it out and feel free to leave a comment! Scroll down below for more information and details on the guide.

Who’s this guide for

This guide is perfect for a seasoned IT professional or a beginner who is looking at getting experience with installing Windows Server 2022.

What’s included in the video

In this guide I will walk you through the following:

  • Document a new Server Installation and domain
  • Promote a Windows Server 2022 Server to a Domain Controller with Active Directory
    • Installation and configuration of Microsoft Active Directory
    • Promote a server as a new domain controller
      • Overview of Forest Functional Level
      • Overview of Domain Functional Level
      • Overview of DSRM (Domain Services Restore Mode) and Password
    • Installation and configuration of DNS Role
    • Installation and configuration of DHCP Role
  • Setup and configuration of a new user account on domain
  • Creation of DHCP Scope for Network

What’s required

To get started you’ll need:

  • 1 x Server (Virtual Machine or Physical Server)
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2022 Licensing
  • A running Windows Server 2022 Instance (OSE)
  • A network router and/or firewall

Hardware/Software used in this demonstration

  • VMware vSphere
  • HPE DL360p Gen8 Server
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2022
  • pfSense Firewall