Discoveries With Sql Server on Windows 2008 Server

Discoveries With Sql Server on Windows 2008 Server

Ever since i’ve started using Windows Server 2008, I’ve been constantly amazed by how many things have changed since Server 2003. It is often a case of wasting time tracking down why things don’t work or where things are. Here are some of those that I discovered that should hopefully give someone else a heads up when they move to the technology.

Terminal Services

Tsadmin.exe got replaced with Tsadmin.mmc leading to annoyances when trying to type in the old command. Why can’t Microsoft just create shortcuts for things it moves around i’ll never know.

Using Terminal Services on Server 2008 has to now use the /admin switch instead of /console . Remote Admin in 2008 Server

Windows Search

 The search feature now only searches folders that are indexed by default, meaning that you have to go into advanced settings to check the box that says "Include non-indexed, hidden, and system files" to get the same search.

Sql Browser

The Sql Browser service usually has a timeout error whenever the server is restarted. This has meant that I either need to go and start it manually or edit the service properties to say, “Automatic – Deferred Start”.

Windows Firewall

The Firewall is turned on by default. It took me a long time to work out why I couldn’t connect and then finally I discovered this blog by Shawn Hernan where he describes the logic behind this change and how to correctly configure the firewall for different situations. Luckily in my environment, it was not internet facing and I could just configure the firewall with these steps:

1-Open the windows firewall with Advanced Security

2-Right click on onbound rules and select new rule

3-Create a port rule, click next

4-Choose TCP rile and choose ports 1433, 1444. Click next

5-Choose Allow the connection

6-Choose correct profile

7-Give it a name and a description for the inbound rule

8-Click finish

Gacutil

Anyone got any more they would care to share?