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Server Core for Windows Server 2012

Purpose

Server Core is a minimal server installation option for computers running on the operating system. Server Core provides a low-maintenance server environment with limited functionality.

As in Windows Server 2008 R2 and Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2012 offers Full Server and Server Core installation options. Starting with Windows Server 2012, it is possible to transition between Full Server and Server Core without reinstalling the operating system.

Where applicable

Server Core is an installation option that is capable of the following server roles.

Active Directory (AD)
Active Directory Lightweight Directory Services (ADLDS)
DHCP Server
DNS Server
File Services
BITS Server
BranchCache
HyperV
IIS
Printing Services
Streaming Media Services
iSCSI
Load Balancing
MPIO
qWave
Telnet
Unix Migration
Active Directory Certificate Services

The following table lists the benefits of Server Core.

Benefit	Description
Reduced Servicing	Because Server Core installs only what is required for a manageable DHCP, File, DNS, Media Services, and Active Directory server, less servicing is required.
Reduced Management	Because less is installed on a Server Core-based server, less management is required.
Reduced attack surface	Because there is less running on the server, there is less attack surface.

The minimal nature of Server Core creates limitations:

There is no Windows shell and very limited GUI functionality. The Server Core interface is a command prompt with PowerShell support.
There is limited MSI support (unattended mode only).

Developer audience

Server Core is designed for use by network and file service infrastructure developers, server management tool and utility developers, and IT planners.

Run-time requirements

Server Core requires Windows Server 2008 or later. This documentation describes Server Core as implemented on Windows Server 2012.

In this section

Topic	Description
About Server Core	General information about Server Core.
Using Server Core	Information about using Server Core.
Server Core Reference	Reference documentation for Server Core.

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