1. How to survive without a GUI
Managing SQL Server
on Server Core
How to survive without a GUI 1

2. Sponsors
A quick comment about sponsors. SQL Saturdays cannot take place without the funding provided by sponsors.
The speakers are not paid. The organizers and other folks running around making sure this event runs smoothly are all volunteers.
However, his facility, the food, and other expenses that go into putting on an event of this magnitude requires money. Sponsors provide that money. So, show your appreciation by saying hi and thank you when you stop by the sponsor tables to stuff your raffle ticket into the box. You might even take a couple of minutes to ask about their product and services. You may learn something valuable that you can bring back to your work, or that might become a career opportunity. It's all part of the very important networking you should be doing while you are here.

3. Managing SQL Server on Server Core
About Me
Frank Henninger
10+ years as a DBA
Oracle on Linux
IBM DB2LUW on AIX
SQL Server on Windows
Contributor for dbatools and dbachecks
Contact info
SQLCommunity
Twitter 1

4. The Many Versions of Windows
Managing SQL Server on Server Core
The Many Versions of Windows
Windows has many flavors
Nano Server
Server Core
Server Desktop
Extremely stripped down version of Windows that is only supported for usage in containers (e.g. Docker)
Windows without Windows. No desktop or RDP access by default
Stock Windows Server. Full Desktop Experience. 2

5. Managing SQL Server on Server Core
Why Use Server Core?
Light weight
Smaller footprint
Less resource usage
More servers can be virtualized on the same hardware $$$
Security
With fewer items installed, the range of possible attacks is shrunk
End user security
Scripting
Containerization 3

6. Managing SQL Server on Server Core
Things to consider
How do we adapt?
Supported Features
Installation
Not all features are supported
No GUI, No Problem
Patching
Remote Management Tools
Manual or automatic
Who needs to login anyway?
Configuration
Server Core Basics
Oh! The tough part!
Be nice to your sysadmin. Admin Shares, ISO Mounting, Policies 4

7. Managing SQL Server on Server Core
Supported Features
Managing SQL Server on Server Core
2012
2014
2016
2017
Database Engine 🗹
Replication
Full Text Search
Analysis Services
R Services (In-Database)
Integration Services
Client Tools Connectivity
SSMS
Distributed Replay Client
Not Supported: SSRS, Client Tools Backwards Compatibility, Client Tools SDK, Distributed Replay Controller, Master Data Services, Data Quality Services 5

8. Managing SQL Server on Server Core
Server Core Basics
Managing SQL Server on Server Core
How to access the system
Console
RDP ( if enabled )
Powershell
Configuration
SConfig
Copying Files
Shares
Managing Services
Computer Management
Policy Management
Export/Import
What still works
Notepad
msinfo32
regedit
timedate.cpl
taskmgr
Most SysInternals tools ( Process Manager, etc ) 6

9. Managing SQL Server on Server Core
Installation
No GUI, No Problem
Installation must be via a configuration file
Configuration files can be created manually or by running the installer on another machine and saving the generated file.
If generated via installer, you must update the generated config to enable the /QUIET switch 7

10. Patching No GUI, No Problem, Part Duex 8
Managing SQL Server on Server Core
No GUI, No Problem, Part Duex
Installing patch files require command line switches
<patchfile>.exe /q /IAcceptSQLServerLicenseTerms /Action=Patch /AllInstances
/q : Quiet
/IAcceptSQLServerLicenseTerms : Avoid license dialog
/Action=patch : What activity to take
/AllInstances : Update all instances
No output will appear on the console. Activity will be recorded in the setup logs on the server
For 2016, C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\130\Setup Bootstrap 8

11. Managing SQL Server on Server Core
Configuration
Oh! The Tough Part!
Most configuration is done remotely anyway.
Common Configuration Tools
SQL Server Management Studio
Works as before
SQL Ops Studio
Computer Management
Use “Connect to Another Computer”
SQL Server Configuration Manager
Has issues…
Requires a desktop
Does not provide “Connect to Another Computer”
However, it does provide a snap-in for Computer Management
Must be installed on a management machine with desktop
Requires only Client Tools Connectivity feature be installed 9

12. Configuration Powershell is your friend 10
Managing SQL Server on Server Core
Configuration
Powershell is your friend
# Firewall Rules
New-NetFirewallRule -DisplayName "SQL Server" `
-Direction Inbound `
-Program "D:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL13.MSSQLSERVER\MSSQL\Binn\sqlservr.exe" `
-RemoteAddress Any `
-Action Allow
New-NetFirewallRule -DisplayName "SQL Server Browser & DAC" `
-LocalPort "1434" `
-Protocol "UDP" `
Enable-NetFirewallRule -DisplayGroup "Distributed Transaction Coordinator"
# Distributed Transaction Coordinator
$ConfirmPreference="None"
Set-DtcNetworkSetting -DtcName "Local" `
-AuthenticationLevel Mutual `
-InboundTransactionsEnabled $True `
-OutboundTransactionsEnabled $True `
-RemoteClientAccessEnabled $True
$ConfirmPreference="High" 10

13. Configuration Sql Server Configuration Manager 11
Managing SQL Server on Server Core
Configuration
Sql Server Configuration Manager
The standalone version of SSCM can only connect to the local machine.
However, SSCM is actually an MMC snap-in and it will appear in Computer Management 11

14. Configuration Sql Server Configuration Manager 12
Managing SQL Server on Server Core
Configuration
Sql Server Configuration Manager
SSCM is version specific.
If you manage multiple versions of SQL Server, multiple copies of SSCM need to be installed on the management machine.
They are hard to tell apart.
If you select the wrong one, a WMI provider error occurs 12

15. Remote Management Options other than SSMS 13 Powershell SQL Server SMO
Managing SQL Server on Server Core
Remote Management
Options other than SSMS
Powershell SQL Server SMO
Microsoft provides SQL Server Management Objects (SMO) for use with .Net languages and a SqlServer module for powershell.
dbatools
Community developed powershell module with over 600 commands to simplify management and migration of sql server 13 1

16. Managing SQL Server on Server Core
Best Practices
IMOHO
Get to know your system admins
Local Security Policies
Administrative Shares
Copying a patch to the server locally is easier to install instead of via a UNC path
Embrace Powershell
It makes life easier!
DBATools is your new best friend. 14

17. Managing SQL Server on Server Core
DBATools 15

18. Title of My Presentation
Demo Time 1

19. Title of My Presentation
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20. Patching No GUI, No Problem, Part Duex 5
Managing SQL Server on Server Core
No GUI, No Problem, Part Duex
Patching via powershell can be automated.
Including taking VMWare Snapshots 5