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Enabling DHCP network configuration for Windows Server 2022 Instances

The latest Windows Server 2022 and Windows Server 2022 Core images on Scaleway Instances now use DHCP for network configuration by default. This aligns with the standard mechanism used across all Scaleway Instance OS images.

For existing running Instances, no changes to network configuration are necessary unless you plan to update the public IPv4 address. In such cases, the Instance may retain its static network configuration, continuing to use the previous public IPv4 address. Follow the steps below to switch to DHCP, ensure the new address is applied correctly, and enable DHCP before assigning the new IP.

Important

These steps involve modifying network settings, which carry a risk of losing network connectivity (e.g., SSH or RDP access). To avoid this, enable and configure Serial Console access on your Instance beforehand. This allows you to maintain access via the Scaleway console even if standard network connections fail.

Before you start

To complete the actions presented below, you must have:

  • A Scaleway account logged into the console
  • Owner status or IAM permissions allowing you to perform actions in the intended Organization
  • An Instance running on Windows Server 2022

Enabling Serial Console access

Scaleway provides a Serial Console (TTY) for Instances, which is essential for troubleshooting network issues. For Windows Server Instances, you must configure the OS to enable the Special Administration Console (SAC) for serial access.

Enabling SAC on Windows (OS configuration)

Connect to your Windows Instance via RDP or another method and run the following commands in an elevated Command Prompt (Administrator) or PowerShell:

  1. Enable Emergency Management Services (EMS):

    bcdedit /emssettings EMSPORT:1
bcdedit /ems {current} on

  2. (Optional, but recommended) Enable the boot menu in the Serial Console:

    bcdedit /set {bootmgr} displaybootmenu yes
bcdedit /set {bootmgr} timeout 10
bcdedit /set {bootmgr} bootems yes

  3. Reboot the Instance to apply the changes:

    shutdown /r /t 0

For more details, refer to Microsoft's Azure Serial Console for Windows documentation on enabling Serial Console for Windows VMs.

Accessing the Serial Console via Scaleway console

  1. Log in to the Scaleway console.
  2. Navigate to Compute > CPU & GPU Instances.
  3. Click on the Instance you want to configure.
  4. On the Instance Overview page, click Console to open the Serial Console in a pop-up window.
  5. Once connected, you should see the SAC prompt. Use commands like cmd to start a command channel, then ch -si 1 to switch to it.

For more information on using the Scaleway Serial Console, see How to use the Serial Console to connect to an Instance.

Steps to enable DHCP configuration

Once Serial Console access is confirmed, configure DHCP using the Server Configuration tool (sconfig) on your Windows Instance. You can access sconfig via RDP, PowerShell, or the Serial Console.

Note

The reboot of the Instance is required for full activation.

  1. Open an elevated Command Prompt (Administrator) or PowerShell and run:

    sconfig

  2. In the sconfig menu, select option 8 (Network settings).

  3. Select the network adapter index (usually 1 for the primary adapter).

  4. Select option 1 (Set network adapter address).

  5. Choose D for DHCP.

  6. The system will apply the changes and release any existing DHCP lease.

  7. Return to the main menu and select option 13 (Restart server) to reboot and activate the configuration.

Below is an example interaction for reference:

===============================================================================
                    Welcome to Windows Server 2022 Datacenter
===============================================================================

  1)  Domain/workgroup:                   Workgroup: WORKGROUP
  2)  Computer name:                      WIN-010DQB68HIR
  3)  Add local administrator
  4)  Remote management:                  Enabled

  5)  Update setting:                     Download only
  6)  Install updates
  7)  Remote desktop:                     Enabled (all clients)

  8)  Network settings
  9)  Date and time
  10) Telemetry setting:                  Required
  11) Windows activation

  12) Log off user
  13) Restart server
  14) Shut down server
  15) Exit to command line (PowerShell)

Enter number to select an option: 8
===============================================================================
                                Network settings
===============================================================================

Available network adapters:

Index # | IP address      | Description
1       | 1.1.1.1         | Red Hat VirtIO Ethernet Adapter

Select network adapter index # (Blank=Cancel): 1
===============================================================================
                            Network adapter settings
===============================================================================

NIC index:    1
Description:  Red Hat VirtIO Ethernet Adapter
IP address:   1.1.1.1,
              fe80::dc00:ff:ff:ff:ff:ff
Subnet mask:  255.255.255.255
DHCP enabled: False

Default gateway:      62.210.0.1
Preferred DNS server: 
Alternate DNS server: 

  1) Set network adapter address
  2) Set DNS servers
  3) Clear DNS server settings

Enter selection (Blank=Cancel): 1
Select (D)HCP or (S)tatic IP address (Blank=Cancel): D
Setting NIC to use DHCP...
Successfully set gateway.
Successfully enabled DHCP.
Successfully released DHCP lease.. : 00-01-00-01-30-3E-73-36-DE-00-00-84-DB-2B
(Press ENTER to continue): 
===============================================================================
                    Welcome to Windows Server 2022 Datacenter
===============================================================================

  1)  Domain/workgroup:                   Workgroup: WORKGROUP
  2)  Computer name:                      WIN-010DQB68HIR
  3)  Add local administrator
  4)  Remote management:                  Enabled

  5)  Update setting:                     Download only
  6)  Install updates
  7)  Remote desktop:                     Enabled (all clients)

  8)  Network settings
  9)  Date and time
  10) Telemetry setting:                  Required
  11) Windows activation

  12) Log off user
  13) Restart server
  14) Shut down server
  15) Exit to command line (PowerShell)

Enter number to select an option: 13
Are you sure you want to restart? (Y)es or (N)o: Y
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