Introduction to Windows 2008 Server Core

Windows 2008 Server Core is a new installation option that was introduced in Windows Server 2008 and Windows 2008 Server Core is a "minimal" installation option for Windows Server 2008. A normal Windows Server 2008 installation has the full .NET Framework, Internet Explorer, Media Player, and Outlook Express, and many options which you are familiar. Windows Server Core installation removes many of the options Windows Server 2008, and it is a much thinner core operating system than Windows Server 2008 full installation.

The main advantages of Windows 2003 Server Core installation are

• The Windows 2008 Server Core installation has fewer components compared with full installation and therefore less attack surface.

• Since Windows 2008 Server Core installation has fewer components, fewer patches required for a Server Core installation than to a normal full installation.

• Windows 2008 Server Core installation uses fewer system resources and it is more reliable because the fewer components are running in the server and the chances of conflicts and problems are less.

• Windows 2008 Server Core installation requires less disc space and other resources than a normal installation.

The main disadvantages of Windows 2008 Server Core installations are

• Administrators should be familiar to work in a command environment.

• Current version does not support .NET Framework and there is no support for managed code.

• Many roles and features are not available with Windows 2008 Server Core.