Configuring WDS

Once the Server 2012 has been built and had its name and IP address set, I am also making the assumption that your network has a DHCP and DNS Server, you can begin the process of installing WDS. In the Server Manager console, select Manage and Add Roles and Features .

Click Next

Select the Installation Type, in my case Role-based and click Next .

Select the Server or Hard Disk you want to install the role to and click Next .

Select Windows Deployment Services and then Add Features of the dialog box that appears, then click Next

Select the .NET Framework 3.5 features and click Next

Click Next to acknowledge the things to note and Next again confirming the roles of deployment and transport.

On the confirmation page click the Specify an alternative source path and enter the path to the server 2012 disk probably D:\sources\sxs\ and click OK then click Install .

When the installer completes click Close

Configuring Server 2012

Once Server 2012 has been Installed there are several further configuration aspects. First off, the Server needs to be named and should be set appropriately eg; DC, WDS, EXCH etc.

On login, the Server Manager screen appears, select Local Server and then click the blue computer name, this can then be changed to the desired entry.

Next select the blue IPv4 address line, right click the ethernet adapter and select the IPv4 option, click properties and set the IP address, Subnet mask and Default gateway. If you have a separate DNS server then enter its’ IP address here, if you plan to use this server as the DNS Server then enter 127.0.0.1 and it will know to look to itself for Domain Name Resolution.

ASA5505 Configuration

ref# http://www.firewall.cx/cisco-technical-knowledgebase/cisco-firewalls/964-cisco-asa5500-startup.html

ASA5505(config)# write memory
Building configuration…
Cryptochecksum: c0aee665 598d7cd3 7fbfe1a5 a2d40ab1
3270 bytes copied in 1.520 secs (3270 bytes/sec)
[OK]

ERASING EXISTING CONFIGURATION

ciscoasa(config)# write erase
Erase configuration in flash memory? [confirm] [OK]

ciscoasa(config)# reload
System config has been modified. Save? [Y]es/[N]o: N
Proceed with reload? [confirm]
ciscoasa(config)#
***
*** — START GRACEFUL SHUTDOWN —
Shutting down isakmp
Shutting down webvpn
Shutting down File system
***
*** — SHUTDOWN NOW —
Process shutdown finished Rebooting…..

CONFIGURE HOSTNAME, USERS, ‘ENABLE’ PASSWORD & DISABLE ANONYMOUS REPORTING

Ciscoasa> enable
Password: cisco
ciscoasa# configure terminal
ciscoasa(config)#
***************************** NOTICE *****************************
Help to improve the ASA platform by enabling anonymous reporting, which allows Cisco to securely receive minimal error and health information from the device. To learn more about this feature, please visit: http://www.cisco.com/go/smartcall

Would you like to enable anonymous error reporting to help improve the product? [Y]es, [N]o, [A]sk later: N

In the future, if you would like to enable this feature, issue the command “call-home reporting anonymous”. Please remember to save your configuration.

At this point we need to note that when starting off with the factory default configuration, as soon as we enter the ‘configure terminal’ command, the system will ask if we would like to enable Cisco’s call-home reporting feature. We declined the offer and continued with our setup:

ciscoasa(config)# hostname ASA5505
ASA5505(config)# enable password firewall.cx
ASA5505(config)# username admin password s1jw$528ds2 privilege 15

CONFIGURE INTERFACE IP ADDRESSES / VLAN IP ADDRESSES & DESCRIPTIONS

ASA5505(config)# interface vlan 1
ASA5505(config)# description Private-Interface
ASA5505(config-if)# ip address 10.71.0.1 255.255.255.0
ASA5505(config-if)# no shutdown
!
ASA5505(config)# interface vlan 2
ASA5505(config)# description Public-Interface
ASA5505(config-if)# ip address 192.168.3.50 255.255.255.0
ASA5505(config-if)# no shutdown
!
ASA5505(config)# interface ethernet 0/0
ASA5505(config-if)# switchport access vlan 2
ASA5505(config-if)# no shutdown

Enable Autologon for Member Servers & Workstations

Once you join a server to a domain, Windows will automatically delete the AutoAdminLogon value from the HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon registry key. This causes the userpasswords2 control to hide the “Users must enter a user name and password to use this computer” check box.

Here’s how to get the missing checkbox back and configure AutoLogon:

  • Open an elevated CMD prompt and enter the following (all on one line):

reg add “HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon” /v AutoAdminLogon /t REG_SZ /d “1” /f

  • Click Start, Run and enter control userpasswords2
  • Clear the checkbox for Users must enter a user name and password to use this computer and click OK
  • Enter the user name and password that will be used for automatic logon and click OK

You may find that you need to configure the default domain, as well. If so, enter the following (all on one line) at an elevated CMD prompt:

reg add “HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon” /v DefaultDomainName /t REG_SZ /d %USERDOMAIN% /f

When the computer starts up the account you specified will be logged in automatically. Note that the password is encrypted on the computer.

This tip works for Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2008 R2, and Windows Server 2012.

Reference: http://www.expta.com/2008/04/how-to-enable-autologon-for-windows.html

Console into Cisco devices

Download Putty from a secure and trusted source. Once downloaded, place somewhere simple such as the C: and create a shortcut on the desktop or start menu.

Run the shortcut and set the connection type to Serial. Select your serial line (default is COM1) and leave the speed at 9600. Should you need to change the connection details,  select Serial on the left navigation panel and match the following details;

Serial Line       COM#
Speed (baud) 9600
Data bits          8
Stop bits           1
Parity               None
Flow control   None

Click OK and the console window should then open. If the device is not powered on, then flick the power button. As soon as Putty initiates a connection, text should appear on the screen.