As you can imagine, a Windows server has many more configuration options than a desktop...

As you can imagine, a Windows server has many more configuration options than a desktop computer. To centralize server configuration, Windows Server 2008 introduces the Server Manager tool and Windows Server 2008 R2 adds enhancements to the tool. In this project, you learn how to start Server Manager and you do a quick overview of options available in the tool, including access to Device Manager. This project is not intended to make you a server administrator. It is intended only to give you an awareness of this tool and the scope of its reach, so that you know the tool exists. You need an account with Administrator privileges. DO NOT make any changes using Server Manager, unless you first have permission from your instructor.

To learn how to access Server Manager in Windows Server 2008/Server 2008 R2:

1. Check to determine if Server Manager is already started, because it starts automatically when you log onto an administrator’s account. If it is not started, click the Server Manager icon which is next to the Start button in the taskbar. Another way to start Server Manager is to click Start, point to Administrative Tools, and click Server Manager.

2. Ensure that Server Manager (servername) is selected at the top of the left pane (see Figure 6-24). Scroll through the right pane, if necessary, to view the options that can be configured. What are the four main sections that can be configured or that offer help information?

3. In the left pane of Server Manager, click each of Roles, Features, Diagnostics, Configuration, and Storage and scroll the right pane, if necessary, for each to view the options.

4. Click Diagnostics in the left pane. Notice that Device Manager is now an option in the right pane.

5. Double-click Device Manager in the right pane. Notice that you can use Device Manager in the middle pane (three panes are now shown) to check on and configure hardware.

6. Close Server Manager.