Why run Win2008 Core?

In these days of cheap hardware and memory, what are the advantages of running Win2008 Core? Microsoft say you can reduce the O/S by 1 GB. Being that Win2008 weighs in at the best part of 10 GB that is not a great deal of saving. Another stated "advantage" is, that it reduces the attack surface of the O/S - this is hardly a glowing advert for Microsoft !

The idea of Win2008 Core seems a total anachronism to me. Old Unix gurus used to cryptic command line, and VM Ware, signing people for fat service contracts, it is understandable keeping things nerdy complex (if somewhat doomed though).   In this complex world, most companies try and make their products easier for the end user!

With Vista, and Windows 2008 it strikes me Microsoft are playing into the hands of Linux, Unix, and OSX. “Windows NT” has always been a gradual evolution of the code and O/S, Vista / Win2008 seems a huge leap, unnecessarily forcing people to re-learn how the O/S works, so the switch to something else (cheaper) is not such a horrendous option.

People, please tell me what am I missing?  

Hello!

Interesting question, we all have our own oppinions so I will not try to oppose your oppinion but here are the main reasons I would use Core installation:

1. Core installation is made especially for virtualization. By that, I mean to be virtualized! It's more than recommended to have all server roles on different (virtual) machines rather then on one OS installation.

2. As you said, low impact on hardware and much more bigger security / less worries about it.

3. Management, you will only do basic configuring in core cmd (ex. setting server role etc.) but the main configuring and maintenance will be done via mmc from another pc in domain. For example, you can manage Hyper-V from Vista via mcc snap-in.

So much for now,

Ivor

ft65:

Microsoft say you can reduce the O/S by 1 GB. Being that Win2008 weighs in at the best part of 10 GB that is not a great deal of saving.

A clean Server Core installation of Windows Server 2008 uses a mere 1,2 GB of disk space.
This footprint includes the binaries needed to install the roles and features.
(compared to 8GB for a full install)

ft65:

Another stated "advantage" is, that it reduces the attack surface of the O/S - this is hardly a glowing advert for Microsoft !

Every software contains bugs. Less lines of codes typically means less errors have been made.
Furthermore Server Core lacks the main components that need frequent patching in the last years.
(Examples include .Net Framework and Internet Explorer.)

ft65:

it is understandable keeping things nerdy complex (if somewhat doomed though).   In this complex world, most companies try and make their products easier for the end user!

Most of the roles and features available in Server Core apply to typical fire and forget scenarios.
A Domain Controller typically doesn't require regular tending to. Neither does a DNS Server.
Admins on the other hand seem to prefer to use MMC snap-ins from their workstations to manage Windows Servers. Just like a full installation you can manage a Server Core installation using the Remote Server Administration Tools (RSAT). All the steps to setup and configure Server Core can potentially be managed using a custom unattend.xml file while installing.

The Graphical Point-and-Click User Interface being unavailable on Server Core might even be an advantage with certain administrators around...

Other benefits of Server Core:

• Not interesting enough for malware writers
  Reason: Small percentage of Systems Admin capable of deploying Server Core
      
• High Performance
  Reason: No CPU cycles wasted on a Fancy Schmancy Graphical User Interface
   
• Less Hardware required
  Reason: Server Core only requires 2 GB of disk space for normal operation 
  
• No reason for high bandwidth needs
  Reason: Smaller amount of patches, compared to Full Installations
  Reason: Smaller backups, compared to Full Installations 
     
• Deploy and forget
  Reason: Typical deployments that require initial configuration once
   
• Less downtime
  Reason: Smaller amount of patches, compared to Full Installations
    
• Improved Business Agility
  Reason: Quicker deployment, compared to Full Installations
   
• Reduced Network complexity
  Reason: Server Core as specifically targeted single-role Infrastructure Servers.

Hi,

With today's anouncment, I take all my comments above back!

Windows 2008 Core with Hyper-V enabled - for free! WOW! Can't wait!