Install Windows Server 2012 R2 - MCSA Windows Server 2012 R2: Installation and Configuration Study Guide - page 16

Server core

Here is an explanation of Server Core that I have used ever since it was introduced in
Windows Server 2008.

I am a huge sports fan. I love watching sports on TV, and I enjoy going to games. If you
have ever been to a hockey game, you know what a hockey goal looks like. Between
hockey periods, the stadium workers often bring out a huge piece of Plexiglas onto the
ice. There is a tiny square cut out of the bottom of the glass. The square is just a bit big-
ger than a hockey puck itself.

Now they pick some lucky fan out of the stands, give them a puck at center ice, and
then ask them to shoot the puck into the net with the Plexiglas in front of it. If they get it
through that tiny little square at the bottom of the Plexiglas, they win a car or some such
great prize.

Well, Windows Server 2012 R2 with the GUI is like regular hockey with a net, and Win-
dows Server 2012 R2 Server Core is the Plexiglas version.

Server Core supports a limited number of roles.
■

Active Directory Certificate Services (AD CS)

■

Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS)

■

Active Directory Federation Services (AD FS)

■

Active Directory Lightweight Directory Services (AD LDS)

■

Active Directory Rights Management Services (AD RMS)

■

Application Server

■

DHCP Server

■

DNS Server

■

Fax Server

■

File and Storage Services

■

BITS Server

■

BranchCache

■

Hyper-V

■

Network Policy and Access Services

■

Print and Document Services

■

Remote Access

■

Remote Desktop Services