In this blog post i will cover how to configure a Server Core installation.
![](https://hypervlab.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/image-128-1024x553.png)
First thing you will want to do when you log into your server core instance is type the following into the cmd session.
sconfig
![](https://hypervlab.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/image-129.png)
From here you can configure your server core instance. A few command tasks which i’ll cover in this post will be adding a server to the domain, enabling remote desktop and configuring a static IP address.
Joining an Active Directory Domain
To Join an existing domain from the server configuration menu you want to press Option 1
![](https://hypervlab.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/image-138.png)
then select D and then enter the domain FQDN and domain administration credentials.
![](https://hypervlab.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/image-139.png)
Before the domain join process is completed you will be prompted to rename the server instance.
![](https://hypervlab.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/image-140.png)
finally a reboot prompt.
![](https://hypervlab.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/image-141.png)
your server core instance will now reboot and be joined to the domain.
![](https://hypervlab.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/image-142.png)
As you can see from the graphic below this server is now joined to the ad.micorsoftlabs.local active directory domain.
![](https://hypervlab.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/image-143.png)
Configure a Static IP Address
To configure a static IP address from the server configuration menu you want to select Option 8.
![](https://hypervlab.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/image-130.png)
Next you will need to select the network adapter interface 10.
![](https://hypervlab.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/image-131.png)
Next you will want to select Option 1 Set Network Adapter Address’.
![](https://hypervlab.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/image-132.png)
Select Static ‘S‘ and now configure your IP address.
![](https://hypervlab.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/image-133.png)
There you have, a Static IP Address configured.
![](https://hypervlab.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/image-134.png)
Configuring Remote Desktop Access
To Enable Remote Desktop, you want to select Option 7 from the Server Configuration menu.
![](https://hypervlab.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/image-135.png)
Press ‘E‘ to enable Remote Desktop, you will then be prompted for what level of security do you want enabled: NLA or No NLA.
NOTE: I would recommend using NLA Security.
![](https://hypervlab.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/image-136.png)
Testing the remote desktop connection from a secondary computer.
![](https://hypervlab.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/image-137.png)