Is there any API for creating custom server roles in Windows Server 2008?

Subj开发者_C百科ect is self-explaining

I don't believe there is. The Server Roles in windows are used for adding additional Windows components onto the core operating system. To get any other, third party, components onto a server, you're going to run an installation of some kind. And typically, during such an installation, you'll choose which components of the software package you wish to install (if not all).

I certainly wouldn't expect to install a software package, only to then have to use a further mechanism to "enable" what I've already installed. And if I want to change which components of the software package are installed/enabled, I expect to change those through the usual add/remove programs or re-running the installer.