Chapter 9: Installing and Configuring Server Core

In this chapter:

• Benefits of a Server Core Installation
• Installing Server Core
• Configuration
• Initial Configuration
• Managing a Server Core Computer
• Summary

The usual progression for an operating system (or an application, for that matter) is to grow and add features, sometimes well beyond what any of us want or need. Windows Server 2008 reverses that trend with a completely new installation option—Server Core. When you install Windows Server 2008, regardless of which edition you're installing, you have the option of choosing a full installation, with everything, or just the Server Core portion.

Server Core is just the essentials, with little or no graphical interface. The logon provider has the same graphical look, but then, when you've logged in, all you see is a single command-shell window, as shown in Figure 9-1.

Figure 9-1 The Windows Server 2008 Core desktop.

Note For improved readability in screen shots used here and in the rest of the book, we've changed the default color scheme for Command Prompt windows to dark blue text on a white background.

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