Windows 2008 Server Core vs Full Installation

installationwindows-server-2008windows-server-core

Recently I have gone through some articles regarding Windows Server core installation, which is very light weight server and consume low resources when compared with full installation.

What my doubt is whether we REALLY get any benefit with "server core" installation? Because, generally the server will be in log off mode and it does not use any additional resources for GUI environment.

Best Answer

The biggest gain to Server Core is the reduced attack surface. The CPU/RAM gains are minimal, though important in certain scenarios (Hyper-V and very low memory systems/VMs spring to mind).

Related Solutions

Upgrade from windows 2008 server CORE to full windows 2008 server

Massimo's right, but you'll find the official answer in KB 951041:

Upgrade considerations for Server Core installations of Windows Server 2008

You can use the Server Core installation option only by performing a clean installation.

You cannot upgrade from earlier versions of Windows to Server Core installations of Windows Server 2008.

You cannot upgrade from non-Server Core installations of Windows Server 2008 to Server Core installations of Windows Server 2008.

You cannot convert Server Core installations of Windows Server 2008 to non-Server Core installations of Windows Server 2008.

You can upgrade Server Core installations of Windows Server 2008
only to Windows Server Core R2 when it is released.

Server core 2008 command

You could use this code snippet for a .vbs file (VBScript):

Function WindowsUnZip(sUnzipFileName, sUnzipDestination)

  Set oUnzipFSO = CreateObject("Scripting.FileSystemObject")

  If Not oUnzipFSO.FolderExists(sUnzipDestination) Then
    oUnzipFSO.CreateFolder(sUnzipDestination)
  End If

  With CreateObject("Shell.Application")
       .NameSpace(sUnzipDestination).Copyhere .NameSpace(sUnzipFileName).Items
  End With

  Set oUnzipFSO = Nothing

End Function

Call WindowsUnZip("C:\example.zip", "C:\DestinationFolder\")

Best Answer

Related Solutions

Upgrade from windows 2008 server CORE to full windows 2008 server

Server core 2008 command

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