RIG Windows Server 2016 Installation Guide

Overview

This guide instructs you on best practices when installing Windows Server 2016 on a Nectar Remote Intelligence Gateway (RIG). Unlike Server 2003 and 2008, Windows Server 2016 is well hardened when installed, so there is minimal customization or modification necessary.

About this Guide

This guide includes the following:

Server Specifications

Installation and Partitions

Audience

This guide assumes that you are proficient with the Nectar Unified Communications Management Platform (UCMP). This guide also assumes that you are familiar with Microsoft Server 2016.

Supported Software Versions

• Nectar v8.7

Server Specifications

For more information, see Nectar Appliance Guide.

Installation and Partitions

This chapter contains these sections:

Install the Operating System

Create Disk Partitions (Small/Medium RIGs)

Create Disk Partitions (Large RIGs)

Enable Remote Desktop Control

Assign Static IP Address

Disable Windows Firewall

Configure Automatic Updates

Install Telnet Client and SNMP ServiceP

Install the Operating System

After selecting the language, time and currency format, and keyboard or input method, enter your product key. Then, follow these steps to install the OS:

1. When prompted, select Windows Server 2016 Standard (Desktop Experience).

1. Click Next.

Figure 2-1Windows Setup

Select Custom: Install Windows Only (advanced).

Figure 2-2Windows Setup - Custom Install

Create Disk Partitions (Small/Medium RIGs)

If your environment calls for a small or medium RIG, partition the disk as follows:

1. Create a 100GB Primary Partition for the C: drive.
   • This will account for the Windows OS (~32GB) and a paging file.
   • This allocation will support a paging file for a system with up to 32GB of RAM.
   • If your server requires more than 32GB, the space can be calculated as follows:

Primary Partition = 32GB (Windows OS) + set the Windows Swap file to automatically manage paging file size for all drives

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  • 
    
    • It is suggested that the Nectar software and data reside on a separate D: drive.

Note

It is recommended to use 240GB for small RIGs and 500GB for larger deployments. Extremely large systems should have the spindles on SSD drives and dual or multi-threaded CPU’s.

Create Disk Partitions (Large RIGs)

If your environment calls for a large RIG, you will partition the disks as follows:

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  • 
    
    • Use the first disk array as the C: drive.
    • Use the second disk array as the D: drive.

- It is suggested that the Nectar software and data reside on a separate D: drive.

Enable Remote Desktop Control

Follow these steps to enable Remote Desktop:

1. Enable Remote Desktop:

Figure 2-3Enable Remote Desktop

1. Select the radio button to Allow remote connections to this computer.
2. Uncheck the box to Allow connections...Remote Desktop with Network Level Authentication (recommended) requirement.

Figure 2-4Uncheck Network Level Authentication

Assign Static IP Address

Assign a static IP address, including a DNS.

Disable Windows Firewall

Disable the Windows Firewall. If it is required for the Windows Firewall to be active, refer to the

Nectar Ports and Protocols document for a list of ports that need to be opened in the Firewall.

Configure Automatic Updates

Configure Automatic Updates to download but not install. Use a scheduled Service Window to shut down the Nectar application and perform these updates.

This is preferred over automatic updates to avoid any server reboots interfering with an active Nectar process, potentially corrupting the database and/or generating false alarms.

For more information, refer to the Nectar AV and Update Best Practices document.

Install Telnet Client and SNMP Service

Follow these steps to install the Telnet Client and SNMP Service:

1. In the Server Manager - Dashboard, select Add roles and features:

Figure 2-5Server Manager - Dashboard

The Add Roles and Features Wizard window appears.

Figure 2-6Add Roles and Features Wizard - Installation Type

1. Select Installation Type in the left pane.
2. Select Role-based or feature-based installation radio-button.
3. Select Features in the left panel.

The Add Roles and Features Wizard window appears.

Figure 2-7Add Roles and Features Wizard - Features

1. Select the following Features in the right pane:

Remote Server Administration Tasks

SNMP Service

1. Select Results in the left pane to monitor the installation:

Figure 2-8Add Roles and Features Wizard - Results

Add l0calm0n

1. Open Services.msc, scroll down and select SNMP Service (if it is not listed it must be added as a Windows Feature).

Figure 2-9Services

1. Right-click on SNMP Service and select Properties from the drop-down menu.

The SNMP Service Properties dialog window appears.

1. Select the Security tab.
2. Under the Accepted community names section, select Add.

Figure 2-10SNMP Service Properties

1. In the SNMP Service Configuration dialog window, select READ ONLY from the Community rights drop-down list.
2. In the Community Name text field, add the l0calm0n community string.
3. Click Add.

Note

You may leave the Accept SNMP packets from these hosts section set to localhost but if you are planning to allow other devices to send SNMP to the RIG, add their IP or URL address in the bottom panel.

The Community string can be something different than l0calm0n but you will have to edit the Local Rig agent with the new community string. In addition, the localrig-module.properties file needs to be updated in the /etc directory of the RIG, then restart the RIG service.

Figure 2-11

Edit Agent

Figure 2-12

Properties File

1. Click OK.

Your RIG is now prepared with Windows Server 2016 and ready for deployment of Nectar’s UCMP software.