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Server 2012 Core Summary

March 15, 2018

When you install Windows Server 2012, you can choose between Server Core Installation, Server with a GUI, and a third, intermediate option, Minimal Server Interface. The Server with a GUI option is the equivalent of the Full installation option available in Windows Server 2008 R2. Server core is a minimal server installation option which provides a low-maintenance environment capable of providing core server roles for computers running on the Windows Serve 2012 operating system.

In Windows Server 2008 R2, the installation option choice between Server Core and Server with a GUI was permanent. In Windows Server 2012, you can switch between a Server Core, Server with a GUI, and Minimal Server Interface. The following table describes the installation options.

Option Description
Server Core When you choose the Server Core installation option:

  • There is no GUI shell.
  • There are no GUI management tools.
  • Server Core provides the most secure and stable installation of Windows Server 2012.
Minimal Server Interface When you choose the Minimal Server Interface option:

  • There are GUI management tools.
  • There is not GUI shell.
  • Internet Explorer is not available.
  • The Minimal Server Interface is more secure and stable than a Server with a GUI.
Server with a GUI When you choose the Server with a GUI option:

  • The GUI management tools provide the easiest methods of administration.
  • The need for more security and patches increases the difficulty and burden of supporting Windows Server 2012.

Consider the following when deciding which installation option to choose.

  • The benefits of Server Core are:
    • Stable environment
    • Reduced system requirements
      • Requires less RAM
      • OS files use less disk space
    • Fewer components to troubleshoot
    • Reduced servicing requirements
      • Reduced patching
      • Reduced updating
    • Reduced attack surface
      • Fewer open ports to target
      • Fewer services
  • Server Core’s minimal structure creates certain limitations, such as:
    • Server Core has very little GUI functionality.
    • The interface is a command prompt with PowerShell support.
    • There is only limited MSI support when used in unattend mode only.
  • Server Core supports the following Windows Server 2012 roles:
    • Active Directory Certificate Services
    • Active Directory Domain Services
    • DHCP Server
    • DNS Server
    • File and Storage Services
    • Active Directory Lightweight Directory Services (AD LDS)
    • Hyper-V
    • Print and Document Services
    • Streaming Media Services
    • Web Server
    • Windows Server Update Server
    • Active Directory Rights Management Server
    • Routing and Remote Access Server

    Server Core also supports many Windows Server 2012 server features.

Perform the following tasks immediately after the Server Core installation:

Task Process
Name the computer The process for naming the computer is:

  1. Use the hostname command to display the generated server name.
  2. Use the netdom renamecomputer command to rename the computer.
  3. Reboot the computer using the shutdown /r command.
  4. Verify the name has been changed by entering hostname and verifying the name change.
Set the time and time zone As a security measure against replay attacks, the time must be synchronized on servers in the domain.

  1. Use the control timedat.cpl to display the Date and Time dialog.
  2. Adjust the date and time, and time zone.
Assign a static IP address to the server The process for assigning a static IP address it to use netsh commands to:

  1. Determine the index number of the adapter.
  2. Set the IP address, the subnet mask and the default gateway.
  3. Add a DNS server that has addresses for the domain.
Join the server to the domain The process for joining a server to the domain is:

  1. Use a netdom command to join the server to the domain.

    Use an * in the password field to prevent the password from being displayed in plain text on the monitor.

  2. Reboot the computer to become a member of the domain.

Enter sconfig at a command prompt to display the Server Configuration utility. You can use this interface to make changes to the server settings.

PowerShell commands for switching between server installation options are:

  • Import -Module Server Manager imports the Server Manager module
  • Powershell starts PowerShell on Server Core
  • Install-WindowsFeature Server-Gui-Mgmt-Infra converts Server Core or to Server with a GUI using PowerShell
  • Uninstall-WindowsFeature Server-Gui-Shell converts Server with a GUI to a Minimal Server Interface
  • Uninstall-WindowsFeature Server-Gui-Mgmt_Infra converts Server with a GUI to Server Core
  • -IncludeManagementTools includes management tools when converting Server Core to a Minimal Server Interface. Include this cmdlet with Install-WindowsFeature Server-Gui-Mgmt-Infra

Convert from a Server with a GUI installation using the Remove Roles and Features Wizard in Server Manager. The Server with a GUI installation includes the Graphical Management Tools and Infrastructure and the Server Graphical Shell subcomponents of the User Interfaces and Infrastructure feature:

  • To convert from Server with a GUI to a Minimal Server installation:
    • Leave the Graphical Management Tools and Infrastructure installed
    • Uninstall the Server Graphical Shell
  • To convert from Server with a GUI to a Server Core installation:
    • Uninstall the Graphical Management Tools and Infrastructure
    • Uninstall the Server Graphical Shell
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