Windows Server 2008 R2 Server Core

* Windows Activation steps:
- slmgr.vbs -ipk [product key here]. This step is only needed for MAK keys.
- slmgr.vbs -ato
- slmgr.vbs -dli
- slmgr.vbs -dlv

More info: http://www.windowsnetworking.com/articles_tutorials/Windows-Server-License-Manager-Script-slmgrvbs.html 

* To configure various settings such as domain joining, networking, remote management, Windows update, date/time: just issue the command sconfig