Configuring Nano Server 2016 Network, Managing via PowerShell and Server Manager Console step by step

Configuring network settings on your Nano Server

On you Nano Server Console, Login and then select Networking

After selecting the Ethernet adapter press F11 to enter into the IPV4 settings

Then Press F4 to disable DHCP and set your static IP, then type in the IP ,SM and GW.

Enter to Save

After assigning the IP address try pinging from a different server on the same network.

That's it now you Nano Server 2016 has an static IP assigned.

Managing your Non-Domain Joined Nano Server from a Windows Server 2016 Server Manager Console

On you Windows Server GUI, go to the Server Manager, Manage and then Add Server


After adding the server you will get an error and the WinRM is not able to negotiate in order to fix this go to the All Servers node then right click on the server and select Manage As… (enter IP\Administrator and Password).

Manage Nano Server via Server Manager and PowerShell

Before you try to manage a non-domain joined Nano make sure your WinRM is configured and it trusts the remote Nano Server
WINRM commands to enable remote management on your 2012 or 16 server.
Open CMD as Administrator and type in the following command;
- winrm  set /winrm/config/client @{TrustedHosts=”YOURSERVERIP”}
- chcp 65001
Test the connection
- winrs –r:YourServerIP –u:Administrator –p: Password ipconfig
 

Enter to a PowerShell Session to confirm the winrm is configured and you can also manage your Nano Server 2016.

Installing Roles and Features to the Nano Server via Remote Server Manager console.

Nano Server will be automatically restarted and after that features will be installed.

 
That’s it

How to Deploy a Nano Server 2016 with the Nano Image Builder on Hyper-V Step by Step

 

 

 

 

Prerequisites:

• Hyper-V Services installed and ready to deploy VM's
• Windows Server 2016 ISO mounted as a CD so the Nano Image Builder gets its source files to create the Nano image (WIM or VHD).
• Nano Server Image Builder (Download from here)
• Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit (ADK) v10 (Download from here)
  • Deployment Tools
  • Windows PE
  • Optional - Configuration Designer

Installing Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit ADK 10 1607 or latest.

Installing the Nano Image Builder Step by Step

After installation is done, open the Nano Server Image Builder App to start creating your first Nano Image.

On the Created a new image or bootable USB page, select the image type in my case Nano Server Image from scratch click Next and Next to the following page.

On the Create new image page, mount your 2016 Server ISO to your Windows Server 2016 or Windows 10 device then Next and Next to the Deployment Type page.

On the Deployment type page, select the machine type, browse and assign the output file, size and logs then Next and next to the packages page. (In this guide I will be deploying a Virtual Machine)

On the Packaged page, select the Edition, Roles and Services you would like to install on your Nano instance then Next.

On the Drivers Page, add any required and then Next.
On the Destination machine page, specify the computer name, Administrator password and Time zone then Next.

On the Join Domain page, check and specify domain name then Next. I will perform this step later via PowerShell.
On the Network page, set WinRM and remote PowerShell if required and IP then Next. In my case I will perform this later within the Nano Server administration.


On the Configuration page, review and then Create.
After the creation process is completed you will be able to browse for the VHD and attach to a VM.

Creating a Generation 2 VM for Nano Server on Hyper-V 2016 step by step.

On the VM Creation page, set the VM Name and VM location then Next.

On the Generation page, select Generation 2 then Next.

On the Assign Memory page, set the needed RAM and then Next.
On the Network Page, select your Virtual Switch and then Next.
On the Connect VHD page, select the Nano Server VHD you have created with the Nano Image builder and then Finish to complete the creation of the VM.

After completing the VM creation Open the Nano Server VM and Power On.


 
That's it, you have now created your first Nano Server Image, follow for more posts related to Nano Server.  

How to Deploy, Promote and Configure Active Directory Domain Services on Windows Server 2016

Active Directory Domain Services better known as AD stores information about objects on the network and makes this information available to users and network administrators. AD uses domain controllers to give network users access to permitted resources anywhere on the network through a single logon process.

Step by Step

Go to the Server Manager Console, select Manage then Add Roles and Features

On the Add Roles and Features Wizard page, Select the Installation Type Role-based or feature-based installation and Next.
On the Server Selection page, select the Server you would like to perform the Role install and Next.
On the Server Roles page, select Active Directory Domain Services, include all the management tools if applicable, DNS which is a required anyways and then Next.


On the Features page, click Next.
On the Active Directory Domain Services and DNS Server pages, review and Next.

On the Confirmation page, review the sections and then check the restart automatically and click Install to start the installation process.


Now that the role is installed you will need to promote this server to a domain controller.

Promoting a Domain Controller

You could promote within the installation wizard or just utilize the Server Manager Console Action Center.

Select the Promote this server to a domain controller link to start the Configuration dialog.
On the ADDS Configuration wizard, select the deployment operation New Forest hen Next.

On the Domain Controller Options page, select the Forest and Domain functional levels and type in the password for the Directory Services Restore Mode (DSRM) then Next.

On the DNS options page, Next.
On the Additional Options Page, verify the NetBIOS name then Next.

On the Paths page, verify and if necessary change the location for the AD DS Database, Logs Files and SYSVOL then Next.
On the Review Options page, make sure the configurations are correct the Next.

On the Prerequisites Check page, make sure there's no errors or warning and then click Install to finalize the DC configuration.


The server will restart and finish up the configurations and after that you should be able to start managing your new AD environment.

Open the AD Administrative Center to start managing your objects.

Create your first user by going into Users OU and then New > User.


That's it! you have now deployed AD Domain Services and a new Forest.