The Windows 2008 Server Core Configurator, as the label implies, is a tool designed to integrate with the latest iteration of the Windows Server operating system from Microsoft in Server Core deployments scenarios. Windows Server 2008 comes with the option of performing just a bare-bone  installation with a minimal surface, and the Core Configurator is designed as an utility set up to streamline some of the most basic tasks associated with getting the platform up and running. Developed by Andrew Auret and Tony Ison from Microsoft UK, the Windows 2008 Server Core Configurator went live on the Redmond company's repository for open source projects, CodePlex, in September.

“This Tool is a collection of scripts which will help provision and configure a Base Windows 2008 Server Core installation, The Server Core Configurator enables you to do all those 'little jobs' via a GUI, quickly and easily, [including]: Product Licencing; Networking Features; DCPromo Tool; ISCSI Settings; Server Roles and Features; User and Group Permissions; Share Creation and Deletion; Firewall Settings; Display Settings; Add & Remove Drivers; Screensaver Settings; and Windows Updates (Including WSUS),” revealed Clive Watson, Architectural Product Technical Specialist, Microsoft UK, Windows platform, Consolidation and Virtualisation.

The beauty of the Windows 2008 Server Core Configurator is the fact that it provides a graphical user interface to help administrators deal with the process of configuring a Base Windows 2008 Server Core installation. At the same time, since it is essentially a collection of uncomplied code scripts, the tool also permits users to add their own tweaks.

“We have implemented major bug fixes and additions in the code base so any feedback would be great as it helps us make this product better and more reliable,” reads a message from the authors of the Windows 2008 Server Core Configurator. “This tool will help anyone wanting to setup all flavour of Windows Server Core (Hyper-V Server and Server Core).”

Windows 2008 Server Core Configurator is available for download via this link.