Enable Remote Management in Windows Server 2008 R2

You install a full installation of Windows Server 2008 R2. When you use Server Manager (Servermanager.msc) to connect to a remote server that is running Windows Server 2008 R2, you receive the following:

ERROR
“Server Manager cannot connect to server_name. Click retry to try to connect again”

RESOLUTION
For a remote server that is running a Full Installation of Windows Server 2008 R2

Method 1

1. Log on as an administrator to the remote server by using the console or by using Remote Desktop Services.
2. Start Server Manager.
3. On the Server Summary page, click Configure Server Manager Remote Management.
4. Click Enable remote management of this server from other computers, and then click OK.
5. Connect to the remote server by using Server Manager.
   Note You do not have to restart the remote server

For a remote server that is running a Server Core installation of Windows Server 2008 R2

Method 1

1. Log on as an administrator to the remote server by using the console or by using Remote Desktop Services.
2. Open an elevated Command Prompt window.
3. At the command prompt, type the following command, and then press ENTER:

   sconfig

4. At the command prompt, type 4 to select the Configure Remote Management option, and then press ENTER.
5. At the command prompt, type 3 to select the Allow Server Manager Remote Management option, and then press ENTER.
   Note If you have not already installed PowerShell, you are prompted to do this. Type 2 to select the option to install PowerShell. Click OK when you are prompted that the installation of PowerShell is finished. Additionally, you must restart the server before you complete step 5.
6. Connect to the remote server by using Server Manager.
   Note You do not have to restart the remote server unless you have to install PowerShell before you complete step 5

MORE INFO
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/976839/en-us