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Bitlocker BitLocker Drive Encryption is a security feature feature first introduced in the Ultimate and Enterprise editions Windows Vista and subsequently incorporated into all editions of Windows Server 2008.
Bitlocker BitLocker performs a number of functions depending on the hardware support of the system on which Windows Server 2008 is running. At the most basic level, Bitlocker BitLocker encrypts entire disk volumes so that the operating system files and user data contained on a disk drive cannot be accessed if the computer and/or drive are lost or stolen. In addition a key is written to a USB flash drive during the Bitlocker BitLocker configuration process. This flash drive must be inserted into a USB port on the computer at system startup in order to gain access to the system.
When used in conjunction with a computer system which has a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) together with a Trusted Computing Group (TCG) compatible BIOS, Bitlocker BitLocker also provides additional features including verifying the integrity of the boot files prior to system startup. In addition, TPM support also provides the option to specify a PIN that must be entered on system start up in addition to the flash drive containing the key.
This chapter of [[Windows Server 2008 Essentials]] provides a detailed overview of the steps necessary to configure Bitlocker BitLocker Drive Encryption.
== Bitlocker BitLocker Prerequisites ==
Unfortunately Bitlocker BitLocker Drive Encryption is not supported on all systems. In fact, the following are mandatory prerequisites for using BitlockerBitLocker:
* A minimum of 1.5Gb of available disk space (either unallocated or available for reallocation from an existing partition).
* A BIOS which supports clearing of system RAM on reboot.
While not required to use BitlockerBitLocker, in order to take advantage of the full range of Bitlocker BitLocker protection features the following optional requirements are also necessary:
* Trusted Platform Module (TPM) Chip
* Trusted Computing Group BIOS
== Enabling Bitlocker BitLocker Drive Encryption ==
The first step in configuring Bitlocker BitLocker Drive Encryption involves enabling this particular feature within Windows Server 2008. This is achieved using the Server Manager. To access the Server Manager either open the ''Start'' menu and select server manager or click on the Server manager icon in the task bar. In the tree hierarchy located in the left hand panel of the Server Manager select the ''Features'' option. Once selected the Server Manager will display the status of current feature configurations and provide options to add and remove features. The following figure illustrates the Server Manager in ''Features'' mode with no features currently installed:
To add the Bitlocker BitLocker feature, begin by clicking on the ''Add New Features'' option to invoke the ''New Features Wizard'' as shown below.
Select the ''Bitlocker BitLocker Drive Encryption'' option and click on the ''Next'' button. On the resulting ''Confirmation'' screen verify that that you wish to enable Bitlocker BitLocker support by clicking on the ''Install'' button. The wizard will subsequently work through the installation process. The amount of time required to complete this task will vary depending on system speed. Overall progress can be tracked via the progress bar displayed on the ''Process'' screen.
Upon Completion of the installation process it will be necesary to reboot the system to implement the change. The restart can be triggered by clicking the ''You must restart this server to finish the installation'' link shown on the wizard's ''Results'' page. Alternatively, close the wizard and select the restart from from the ''Start'' menu when it is convenient to do so.
After the restart has completed the ''Add Features Wizard'' will restart and complete the final phases of the feature installation process. Once completed click on the ''Close'' button to exit from the wizard.
== Creating Partitions for Bitlocker BitLocker Drive Encryption ==
BitLocker Drive Encryption requires that there be two partitions on the hard disk drive. The first partition is referred to as the ''system volume'' and contains the unencrypted boot information. The second partition is referred to as the ''operating system volume''. This is the volume which will be encrypted and contains the operating system and user data.
The system volume must be at least 1.5Gb in size and must be created before proceeding with the BitLocker Drive Encryption process. This volume can be created either by using unallocated space on a drive, taking space from an existing volume, or the boot files can be ''merged'' into an another existing volume (other than the operating system volume). In order to ease the process of creating the system volume Microsoft provides a tool called the ''Bitlocker BitLocker Driver Preparation Tool''. This tool may be downloaded from the [http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=320b9aa9-47e8-44f9-b8d0-4d7d6a75add0&displaylang=en Microsoft website].
Once the tool has been downloaded and installed it should appear in ''Start->Accessories->System Tools->BitLocker->BitLocker Drive Preparation Tool''. The tool itself is installed as the executable ''%ProgramFiles%\BitLocker\BdeHdCfg.exe''. The tool may either be run as a graphical tool or run from a command prompt with a variety of command-line options to perform the required task.
Select the desired option to move to the next step. If using a USB startup key insert a removable USB memory device into a USB port when prompted to do so and click ''Save'' to save the Startup key to the device.
Next, the setup process will request that you save a recovery key. This will be required to unlock the system if Bitlocker BitLocker detects a problem with the integrity of the system (typically if the data on the disk has been tampered with while the system was shutdown):

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