Server Core installations of Windows Server 2008 can be equipped with Windows Media Services 2008. This opens up some interesting deployment scenario's for Server Core in combination with this role.

This blogpost in my Easter 2008 series on SC'enarios explains how to install and use Windows Media Services for Windows Server 2008 on Server Core installations of Windows Server 2008. It contains the following sections:

• What Windows Media Services 2008 do
• Installation
  • Download Windows Media Services 2008
  • Get the files on your Server Core machine
  • Install the Server Core package
  • Starting the Windows Media Services service
• Usage
  • Install an administrative package and role
  • Start the Microsoft Management Console (MMC)
  • Getting Started
• SC'enario
• Concluding

What Windows Media Services 2008 do

Stream media to clients

Windows Media Services 2008 is an additional software package you can download from the Microsoft website, which enables a Windows Server 2008 box to stream live or on-demand audio and video to clients over the network.

Provide a streaming infrastructure

Windows Media Services can also be used to build a streaming infrastructure using multiple Windows Servers with Windows Media Services installed. Supported roles for Windows Media Services 2008 are caching (proxy) servers, reverse proxy servers and (re)distribution servers.

Installation

It's not very hard to install Windows Media Services on Server Core installations of Windows Server 2008 once you know you need to download stuff, run it and then install it:

 Download Windows Media Services 2008

The first step in getting Windows Media Services 2008 on your Server Core box is downloading the Windows Media Services 2008 for Windows Server 2008 update package from the Microsoft website. The Download page contains six standalone MSU packages, which are divided into three categories per architecture (x86 and x64):

• Admin
  Windows6.0-KB934518-x64-Admin.msu and Windows6.0-KB934518-x86-Admin.msu
  The Admin update packages can be used to install the Windows Media Services Remote Server Administration Tools snap-in for Microsoft Management Console (MMC). These packages are designed to be used on computers that are running the Microsoft Windows Vista operating system.
• Server
  Windows6.0-KB934518-x64-Server.msu and Windows6.0-KB934518-x86-Server.msu
  The Server update packages contain the Windows Media Services and the the Windows Media Services Remote Server Administration Tools snap-in for Microsoft Management Console (MMC). These packages are designed to be used on Full installations of Windows Server 2008.
• Core
  Windows6.0-KB934518-x64-Core.msu and Windows6.0-KB934518-x86-Core.msu
  The update packages denoted as Core contain the Windows Media Services, but not the Windows Media Services Remote Server Administration Tools snap-in for Microsoft Management Console (MMC). These packages can only be used on Server Core installations of Windows Server 2008.

Since the core update package doesn't contain the Windows Media Services Remote Server Administration Tools snap-in for Microsoft Management Console (MMC) it's recommended to download the core update package and one of the other two packages depending on your administration needs:

1. Download one of the Admin update packages when you're using an administrative workstation equipped with Windows Vista for all your remote management needs.
2. Download one of the Server update packages when you want to administer Windows Media Services from another Windows Server 2008 Server and want the Windows Media Services role installed too. (otherwise download the Admin package as well, which will work without problems on both Windows Server 2008 and Windows Vista)

Get the files on the Server Core machine

Once you've downloaded the standalone update packages it's time to get the Core update package onto your Server Core box. You can do this in one the following three ways:

1. Use an USB Stick
2. Use a (re)writable CD or DVD
3. Use the network

I've written a blogpost in the past on getting installation files onto Server Core installations of Windows Server 2008. I believe it provides sufficient information.

Install the Server Core package and role

To install the Server Core update package of Windows Media Services 2008 type the following command:

start /w wusa /quiet Windows6.0-KB934518-xxx-ServerCore.msu

where xxx can be either x86 or x64, depending on your architecture and downloaded installation package. After installing the update package you can install the role by specifying the following command:

start /w ocsetup MediaServer

Starting the Windows Media Services service

Now you've installed the Windows Media Services Role you are ready to start the service. You can use the following command to accomplish this:

net start wmserver

Usage

Install an administrative package

On your Windows Vista or Windows Server 2008Full Installation box install the Admin package of Windows Media Services 2008 by running the executable. After starting the installation, perform the following actions in the graphical installer:

1. Press 'OK' in the window asking you to click OK to install the following Windows software update: Update for Windows (KB934518)
2. Press 'I Accept' in the window displaying the license terms (1 of 1) after reading them. If you want to you can save the license terms using the Printable version link, which displays the terms in a Notepad window.
3. Press 'Close' in the window showing 'Installation complete'.

Tip:
When installing the Admin or Server package on Windows Server 2008 it is wise to install the Desktop Experience Feature as well, so you can use Windows Media Player to test your Windows Media Services.

Start the Microsoft Management Console (MMC)

The Administrative package installed a Microsoft Management Console (MMC) Snap-in for Windows Media Services. You can use it to administer your Server Core box with Windows Media Services. The MMC Snap-In is located in the Administrative Tools folder of your Start Menu and your Control Panel. To start it simply browse to the shortcut in the Start Menu or Control Panel.

Getting Started

In the Getting Started window, which is displayed by default, you need to add a Windows Media Server. Add your Server Core server with the Windows Media Services installed using the Add a server shortcut. Simply add the server by name or IP address and you're ready to administer your Server Core box as if it were a Windows Server 2008 Full Installation with the Windows Media Services Role installed.

SC'enario

Deploying a Server Core installation of Windows Server 2008 with Windows Media Services will not be primarily based on providing a better performing server. The bottleneck with Windows Media Services is in the available bandwidth, not in the amount of CPU or RAM used.

I see a perfect fit for Server Core in the situations where the new features of Windows Media Services get deployed: the Windows Media (reverse) proxy.

Since Windows Media (reverse) proxies will be used at the perimeters of networks they will benefit from the reduced attack surface Server Core provides. When installed as a proxy on a remote location it is safe from the typical click-ad-point admins on these locations.

Concluding

Server Core installation of Windows Server 2008 can be equipped with Windows Media Services to provide streaming services. Server Core boxes can be installed as distribution points, but they become really useful when deployed as (reverse) proxies for Full Installations of Windows Server 2008 equipped with Windows Media Services, sitting safely on your Internal network.

Further reading

Homepage for Windows Media Services 2008
Windows Media Services 2008 for Windows Server 2008
Windows Media Services 2008 for Windows Server 2008
Windows Media Services Deployment Guide
How to install Windows Media Services in Windows Server 2008
Directions on Microsoft > Windows Media Platform Less Strategic
Directions on Microsoft > Windows Media Platform History
Managing Windows 2008 Server Core Server Roles
Managing Windows 2008 Server Core Server Roles
IIS.Net Forums > windows media services on windows server 2008
TechNet Forums > Install media service in Windows 2008 Server
Server Core Installation Option of Windows Server 2008 Step-By-Step Guide
RELEASE: Windows Media Services 9.5 for Windows Server 2008