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jftuga
Asked: 2010-07-10 10:34:50 +0800 CST

What do you use Windows Server 2008 Server Core for? Any regrets?

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I have been installing either the Standard or Enterprise versions of Server 2008, but am curious about Server Core. What have you used this for? Did you like it or end up having to upgrade to a more complete version?

windows-server-2008 windows-server-core

4 Answers

  1. Best Answer

    We have been using/testing 2008 R2 Core for nearly a year now. Our intention is to migrate the following services to Core installs prior to the end of the next K12 school year.

    • Domain Controllers
    • DNS/DHCP
    • File Servers
    • Print Server

    Microsoft has made great progress in improving their remote management tools suite over the years, but for some users, these tools can present a significant learning curve. If you are still getting your feet wet with core installs, take a look at the Core Configurator which can expedite your deployment/configuration process.

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  2. the only good thing about core is that it confused/scares the hell out of dumb admins! Which is a good thing.

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  3. We use it primarily for domain controllers. It helps to enforce the best practice that you shouldn't run any services on your DCs other than the AD services.

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  4. The mistake I made is that server core is more suited for infrastructure servers, then it was made to be a modularized application specific server similar to what has been done with some of single purpose Linux distro's.

    For example, I thought server core would make a great build server for our code base, this turned out not to be the case. Perhaps this was more due to the dependencies of the code base.

    I was able to use it for our SVN server without to much additional pain.

    Hopefully, in the future it will be extended to support hosting other services such as Sql Server, TFS, etc.

    Overall I think it is a good step in the right direction.

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