I spent a couple hours today installing Windows Server 2008 on my home server.
I have to admit, this was the easiest and fastest Windows OS software install I
*EVER* completed.
My goal was to build a Windows 2008 Server as a VPC host using Hyper-V; I literally spent more time installing the Hyper-V Role than installing the Win2k8 OS (I suppose this is the benefit of Role based installations).
Do yourself a favor and download this
utility (http://www.grc.com/securable.htm) to verify your BIOS is configured properly if you are going to use Hyper-V.
They do a good job in explaining WTF these features are, and how to enable them.
Now I had my VPC host running, my next task was to answer this question, 'What is all the buzz about Windows 2008 Server Core... and could it make my life easier?'
The simple answer (as a .NET user / developer)? No
The concept of a Server Core is solid;
- Smaller footprint, smaller attack surface
- Install only the features you need in the form of Roles
Why Server Core sucks?
1) I am a Windows guy, not a *nix guy, so the lack of GUI was going to make my life difficult
2) None of these features currently work in Server Core (
Known Issues)
- IIS-ASPNET
- IIS-NetFxExtensibility
- IIS-ManagementConsole
- IIS-ManagementService
- IIS-LegacySnapIn
- IIS-FTPManagement
- WAS-NetFxEnvironment
- WAS-ConfigurationAPI
The key reason for issue #2 is explained as
'
The Web Server (IIS) role does not support ASP.NET in Server Core installations.
Because there is no support for managed code, the following IIS features are not available in Server Core installations'
Now, read the second line carefully and say with me, "
NO SUPPORT FOR MANAGED CODE".
Yes folks, that means all .NET code, ASP.NET, WinForms, SQL 2005... any and ALL products build on .NET.
WoW, I have to catch my breath... no .NET support on a Microsoft product; I might as well install Windows NT 4.
Well, at least Server Core 2008 supports ASP and PHP (!)... well, so does NT 4.
At least I can convert my VPC / Virtual Server 2005 R2 VHD's to be Hyper-V compatible.