Windows Server "Core"

Hello everyone!

I have a general question to ask about Windows Server "Core".

In the experience of those out there how often have people used this if ever? I understand the smaller footprint and attack profile that it has compared to the full installation, and even that it uses "Mostly" only CLI to configure and manage things like DHCP and DNS.

I want to know more about when this has been used, what it was used for, what you should use it for, what you should never use it for and what you could use it for but there are better ways out there to do it.

I am mostly using it to practice my CLI skills and trying to become less reliant on the GUI.

Thanks,
403

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Comments

TechGuy215

We use Server Core installations for a read-only domain controller at a few of our branch offices.

From Technet:

You can only run 9 roles on a server core installation.

AD DS
AD LDS
DNS
DHCP
File Services
Print Services
Streaming Media Services
Web Server (IIS)
Hyper-V

Some benefits:

Greater stability
Simplified management
Reduced maintenance
Reduced memory and disk requirements
Reduced attack surface

bgold87

I've only seen it used for an RODC.

403Forbidden

I guess what I really want to know is how useful/practical is it to become familiar with setting up the DHCP/DNS roles on a core server?
What are the most commonly used services on an RODC?

Slowhand

Server Core's functionality has been expanded greatly since it was first introduced in Windows Server 2008. As of this writing, there's a whole slew of new features and roles available to install, you can run PowerShell on it, there's greater 3rd party software support, and you can even configure a full install of Windows Server 2012 (as well as on R2) and then turn off the GUI to make it a Core install.

CodeBlox

We have one acting as a domain controller however it wasn't required... I'm not sure if there was any reasoning behind doing it either.

undomiel

We had a client that we deployed their Hyper-V cluster as all 2008 R2 Core nodes. It worked out pretty well for them. Since pretty much everything can be done with remote management tools and PoSH the lack of a GUI is never a problem.

paul78

SQL Server also now runs on Windows Core. So for SQL servers, it also makes sense.