Windows server 8 experiences – Part 1 Server Manager

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With the release of Windows Server 8 beta it’s time to look at new and improved features that are interesting where I am focused on the VDI / RDS world. In this blog series I will try to point out what’s new and why it’s cool or … npt.

The first thing we need to do to get to a point where we can actually do something is to install roles and features. This is a complete different experience to what we have seen in earlier versions.

When you log on to the Windows 8 Server the Server Manager is started, this behavior did not change but the difference is that it’s now a very usable tool.

In the left picture below you can see the startup screen of the server manager, as you can see I already installed some features. In the picture on the right you can see the local server information, this is where you can configure the server name, IE security, Windows updates etc etc.

Screen Shot 2012-03-08 at 09.16.33Screen Shot 2012-03-08 at 09.19.32

 

 

 

 

 

The server manager is no longer only a local server manager, you can add servers to this view and do all the actions you can do on a local server remote from one single server manager console. Check the screenshot below to see that you restart a server, install roles and features, open feature consoles etc etc etc.

Screen Shot 2012-03-08 at 09.24.23

What’s even cooler is that all the management tools are available in the server manager console. No more looking for “administrative tools” in the start menu. Just go to “Tools” and find the tool you need.

Screen Shot 2012-03-08 at 09.25.40

Conclusion

I think the new server manager is a huge improvement to the experience I have with earlier versions. Normally the first thing I did after installation of Windows was to click on “do not launch on startup” in the server manager console. Now I think the server manager is all you need to use to configure your server.

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  1. Bram WolfsBram Wolfs03-08-2012

    Hi Barry,

    Nice article!
    This is indeed a very cool improvement.
    How was the performance of the console? In 2008R2 i found it a bit sluggish now and then.

    Kind regards,
    Bram

    • Barry SchifferBarry Schiffer03-08-2012

      performance is good. it’s noticable that there is a lot of information and error checking which causes some delays.

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