Using Remote Server Management to manage previous versions of Window Servers in Windows Server 2012

To fully manage remote servers that are running Windows Server 2008 or Windows Server 2008 R2, we need to install the following updates in Windows Server 2008 or Windows Server 2008 R2.

• Microsoft .Net Framework 4
• Windows Management Framework 3.0
• KB2682011

Remark: Server Manager of Windows Server 2012 cannot be used to add roles and features to servers that are running Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2008 and Windows Server 2008 R2.

Lab environment

1) 1 Windows Server 2008 R2 server named MS2K8R2 joined corp.contoso.com

2) The IP address of MS2K8R2 is 192.168.2.31

3) 1 Windows Server 2012 server named DC01 joined corp.contoso.com

1. On MS2K8R2, log in as Domain Administrator.

2. Install "Microsoft .Net Framework 4".

3. Install "Windows Management Framework 3.0" for Windows Server 2008 R2.

4. Install "KB2682011" for Windows Server 2008 R2.

5. Launch "PowerShell" as administrator.

6. Perform "Set-ExcutionPolicy -ExcutionPolicy RemoteSigned" to update the execution policy to "Remote Signed".

7. Enter "Y".

8. Perform "Configure-SMRemoting.ps1 -force -enable" to enable remote management.

Remark: "Configure-SMRemoting.ps1" updates the WinRM settings and firewall settings of MS2K8R2. The following firewall rules have been enabled.

• Remote Service Management (NP-In)
• Remote Service Management (RPC)
• Remote Service Management (RPC-EPMAP)
• Remote Event Log Management (NP-In)
• Remote Event Log Management (RPC)
• Remote Event Log Management (RPC-EPMAP)
• Windows Firewall Remote Management (RPC)
• Windows Firewall Remote Management (RPC-EPMAP)

Remark: In production environment, we can use group policy to deploy the above firewall settings for the servers which you want to manage.

9. Go to DC01, log in as Domain Administrator.

10. Launch "Server Manager".

11. On "Dashboard' window, click "Add other servers to manage".

12. On "Add Servers" window, next to "Name (CN)" , enter "MS2K8R2".

13. Click "Find Now".

14. Select "MS2K8R2" and then click ">" icon.

15. Click "OK".

16. On left pane, click "All Servers".

Now, you can manage MS2K8R2 by Server Manager of DC01.

Test result

1. On DC01, log in as Domain Administrator.

2. Launch "PowerShell" as administrator.

3. Perform "Enter-PSSession -ComputerName MS2K8R2".

4. Perform "Import-Module ServerManager".

5. Perform "Get-Windows Feature *backup*"

As a result, we can use PowerShell to manage MS2K8R2.

Remark: The following functions can be managed in Server Manager for Windows Server 2008 R2.

To add a new feature or role in Windows Server 2008 or Windows Server 2008 R2, we need to use PowerShell.

This posting is provided “AS IS” with no warranties, and confers no rights!