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Virtual machines are ideal for the installation discovery process, since it is easy to run through installations over and over again without having to erase a complete system.The discovery process is very important because this is where you’ll find out what makes the Windows Server 2008 installation tick. Unlike previous versions, the WS08 installation is completely graphical. That is because it boots into the Windows Preinstallation Environment (Windows PE) if there is no operating system on the server; if there is, and the upgrade is supported, it will run in graphical mode anyway. The first splash screen will ask three questions:
• Language to install • Time and currency format • Keyboard or input method
FIGURE 4-7 The SOP fl owchart
1- Review installation preparation checklist 2- Select the Windows version
3- Fill out the server data sheet 4- Use the post-installation checklist
5- Document configuration and customization requirements
6- Install Windows AIK on management system 7- Back up the reference server
8- Prepare the answer file 9- Create a .wim image (if required) 10- Test the deployment method
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These settings determine in which language the installation will proceed. Like Vista, WS08 uses a language-agnostic core installation that is then converted into whichever language you select during installation.
Next, you are presented with the Install Now screen. Note that this screen also includes two options in the lower-left corner:
• What to know before installing Windows • Repair your computer
The first provides you with up-to-date information on system requirements and procedures for installing WS08. It is always a good idea to review this information, especially during the installation discovery process. The second is used to recover systems that may be damaged. It first lets you choose an existing system partition. Then, when you click Next, you are presented with a series of choices for system repair, including:
• Windows Complete PC Restore: Restores Windows from a backup image. • Windows Memory Diagnostic Tool: Verifies the system’s memory.
• Command Prompt: Launches a Windows PE session with an open command prompt. But, since your goal is to discover how the installation works, click Install Now. This takes you to the next screen, where you need to input the product key to use for the installation. Like Vista, WS08 uses a single-instance store on the installation media and the version you install will be determined by the product key you enter. Note that the product key screen also includes an automatic activation check box. More on activation and license management will be discussed later, but if you are only exploring the installation and may repeat it several times, you will probably not want to activate this option. You can also proceed without inputting a product key. You will have 30 days before you need to input a product key and activate the installation. But, for discovery, no key is required because your installation will most likely be volatile at first.
The next screen is where you decide whether you will be installing Server Core or a full installation of WS08. If you want a server without any graphical interface that will support only key server roles, then use the Server Core installation. If not, use the regular version. Remember, Server Core will be used for all host servers. Accept the license agreement, click Next, and you are then moved to the installation type selection screen. Two main options are available:
• Upgrade Select this option if there is already a supported operating system on your server.
• Custom (advanced) Select this option if you are installing a new server or if the server you are upgrading is not running a supported operating system for upgrade.
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Just as in Windows Vista, the upgrade process in WS08 actually works! That’s because every installation of WS08 uses an image to perform the installation. Remember IBS? Because of IBS, the upgrade removes all previous operating system components, protects all data and application settings as well as all installed applications, and then installs WS08 by decompressing the installation image and customizing it to the hardware you are installing it to. You should investigate this process if you intend to upgrade systems performing the service offering role.If you are installing on a bare-metal system or a bare-metal virtual machine, then select the second option. This will take you to a screen where you can select and create the disk partition that will run the OS. This screen also gives you access to partitioning and
formatting tools, as well as giving you the ability to load new drivers. Examine each option and then proceed with the installation.
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BitLocker Partitions: If you intend to run BitLocker and encrypt the system partition for this server, then you need to create two partitions. The first should be at least 2 GB in size, should be formatted as NTFS, and should be marked as active. This will be the boot partition once BitLocker is activated. The second should also be NTFS and should normally use the remaining space on the server’s system disk.TIP
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WinRE Partitions Without BitLocker: If you intend to install a recovery environment on the server, then you’ll need the same kind of partition as you would for a BitLocker system. Remember that if you install both BitLocker and WinRE, then you need to install WinRE into the OS partition to protect the system from tampering through WinRE.Once the partition is created or selected, Windows begins the installation process. From this point on, there is nothing left to do until the installation is complete. It will copy the Windows installation files, expand them, install features, install updates, and then complete the installation. During this process, Windows will install and reboot then ask for a password change once the installation is finished.
The installation process also covers five steps; note that the system will restart several times during the installation:
• Copying Windows files • Expanding files
• Installing features