TL;DR
- Windows Admin Center is a browser-based tool for managing Windows Servers and clusters
- Can be installed in:
- Desktop mode (local machine)
- Gateway mode (centralized server access)
- Default port is 6516 (customizable)
- Requires HTTPS certificate (self-signed or trusted)
- Installation can be done via GUI installer or command line (MSI)
- Enables centralized management for servers, clusters, and HCI environments
Microsoft unveiled a new tool that is set to change the way Windows Server engineers interface, configure, interact with, and administer Windows Servers, Windows Failover Clusters, and Hyperconverged clusters.
Microsoft has seen the writing on the wall with new versions of Windows Server as well as the shift to the cloud, administrators need a better tool to be able to take care of the tasks at hand with modern infrastructure that stretches between on-premises and public cloud environments. They have delivered with a new tool that is set to become the de facto GUI administration tool for Windows Server versions to come – Windows Admin Center.
In this Windows Admin Center overview and installation post, we will take a closer look at the tool as well as features and functionality included giving administrators an all-compassing utility to manage Windows Server infrastructure both on-premises and in the cloud.
Comparison:Desktop Mode vs Gateway Mode in Windows Admin Center
| Feature | Desktop Mode | Gateway Mode |
|---|---|---|
| Installation Location | Local machine | Windows Server |
| Access | Local browser | Remote browser |
| Use Case | Single admin setup | Centralized team access |
| Scalability | Limited | High |
| Recommended For | Labs, small setups | Production environments |
Windows Admin Center Overview
Windows Admin Center provides tremendous value to administrators.
It started life as Project Honolulu before it was properly named Windows Admin Center and is what Microsoft calls the “evolution” of Windows Server in-box management tools.
It is a free utility available from Microsoft that is available to download at the official Windows Admin Center page here. At the time of this writing, it is available in version 1809.51 in GA form and also version 1902 in Preview.
While Windows Admin Center is not included by default in current Windows Server versions, you can tell that Microsoft is pushing the use of Windows Admin Center. When you launch the legacy “Server Manager” in Windows Server 2019, you will see a message box pop up recommending you try the new Windows Admin Center for server management.
It provides a single pane of glass management interface that helps administrators to consolidate their view of the Windows Server landscape in their environments. The look and feel of Windows Admin Center are very modern, clean, and intuitive with a very comfortable layout of modules and available actions. This stands in contrast to Server Manager which can be clumsy to maneuver and navigate.
Windows Admin Center is a departure from the standard “fat” application that is loaded on a Windows Server system. It is a browser-based tool that can be loaded not only on Windows Servers but also Windows 10 clients as well.
Additionally, it can also run on Server Core systems as well. It, however, does not require Internet connectivity or an Azure account.
Windows Admin Center can be installed on the following operating systems (***Note*** Installation on Domain Controllers is not supported)
| Windows 10, version 1709 or newer | Desktop mode |
| Windows Server Semi-Annual Channel | Gateway mode |
| Windows Server 2016 | Gateway mode |
| Windows Server 2019 | Gateway mode |
The following operating systems are compatible for management of Windows Admin Center:
| Version | Manage node via Server Manager | Manage cluster via Failover Cluster Manager | Manage HCI via HCI Cluster Manager |
|---|---|---|---|
| Windows 10, version | Yes (via Computer Management) | N/A | N/A |
| 1709 or newer | |||
| Windows Server Semi-Annual Channel | Yes | Yes | N/A |
| Windows Server Semi-Annual Channel | Yes | Yes | N/A |
| Windows Server 2019 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Windows Server 2016 | Yes | Yes | Yes, with latest cumulative update |
| Microsoft Hyper-V Server 2016 | Yes | Yes | N/A |
| Windows Server 2012 R2 | Yes | Yes | N/A |
| Microsoft Hyper-V Server 2012 R2 | Yes | Yes | N/A |
| Windows Server 2012 | Yes | Yes | N/A |
| Windows Server 2008 R2 | Yes, limited functionality | Yes | N/A |
Refer this Microsoft article to prepare your environment for Windows Admin Center as some server versions need additional preparation
Windows Admin Center Access and Permissions Model
The two modes that are supported for Windows Admin Center as detailed for the respective operating systems in the above table are:
- Desktop Mode
- Gateway Mode
Desktop Mode
In Desktop Mode, the Windows Admin Center is locally installed on the same computer from which you are accessing it.
An example of a URL to access WAC in this mode is: https://localhost:6516
Gateway Mode
In Gateway Mode, Windows Admin Center is installed on a supported Windows Server version and can be accessed remotely from a client browser on a different machine.
An example of a URL to access WAC in this mode is: https://servername.contoso.com
Access roles can be assigned in the Gateway mode for appropriate permissions. There are two roles for access to the gateway service: gateway users and gateway administrators.
- Gateway users can connect to the WAC gateway service to manage servers through the gateway but cannot change access permissions nor the authentication mechanism used to authenticate to the gateway
- Gateway administrators can configure who gets access as well as how users will authenticate to the gateway
Additionally, role-based access control or RBAC can be used in WAC to provide users with limited access to the machine instead of making them full local administrators. This works in conjunction with configured each managed server with a JEA or “Just Enough Administration” endpoint.
Installing Windows Admin Center on Windows 10
By default, when installed on Windows 10, Windows Admin Center uses port 6516 by default. However, this can be changed. When installed on supported Windows Server operating systems, Windows Admin Center is installed as a network service. A port will need to be specified for listening as well as an HTTPS certificate is required. Self-signed certificates can be used for this purpose, however, all the same certificate best practices apply here and are required including subject name matching the server name, etc.
Installation on Server Core versions is possible as well from the command line. Copy the Windows Admin Center installation MSI over to the Server Core machine and run the following command:
- msiexec /i
.msi /qn /L*v log.txt SME_PORT= SSL_CERTIFICATE_OPTION=generate
Installation using the GUI MSI installer is very straightforward. It is very much a “next, next, finish” process.
After the installation is complete, browse to the URL listed for the new Windows Admin Center installation and login:
Windows Admin Center provides a wide range of tools for single servers and clusters:
Final Thoughts
Windows Admin Center is the next step forward for Microsoft and server administration. It provides a clean, modern look and feels for Windows Server and cluster administration. It is a huge step forward when compared to Server Manager and other more legacy tools that we have grown accustomed to. Third-party vendors are also able to extend its capabilities which has already led to some pretty incredible extensions available from various vendors for WAC.
Considering this is a free download from Microsoft and it is able to manage many different types of servers, it is a great tool to start today in managing Windows Servers from in various environments. With the single pane of glass view of the Windows Server and cluster landscape, it allows a centralized management plane for configuring, managing and troubleshooting Windows Server moving forward.
Read More: Server Management with Windows Admin Center
FAQ:
1. Is Windows Admin Center free to use?
Yes, Windows Admin Center is a free tool provided by Microsoft for managing Windows Server environments.
2. What is the default port for Windows Admin Center?
The default port is 6516, but it can be customized during installation.
3. Can Windows Admin Center run without internet access?
Yes, Windows Admin Center can run without internet access and does not require an Azure account for core functionality.
4. What is the difference between Desktop and Gateway mode?
Desktop mode runs locally on a user’s machine for single-user management, while Gateway mode is deployed on a server and allows remote, multi-user access via a web browser.
5. Can I install Windows Admin Center on Server Core?
Yes, installation is supported via command line using the MSI installer.
Related Posts
Server Management with Windows Admin Center
Beginners Guide for Microsoft Hyper-V: How to Create a Virtual Switch in Hyper-V using Windows Admin Center – Part 33
Beginners’ Guide for Microsoft Hyper-V: Azure Features in Windows Admin Center – Part 31
Windows Admin Center – Simplified for Beginners
Beginner’s Guide for Microsoft Hyper-V: Managing Windows Server Containers with Windows Admin Center – Part 20
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