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I have an older server (retired database box in fact) that doesn't fit the requirements for VMware ESX/ESXi or Microsoft's Hyper-V but runs VMware Server 2 just fine. The host OS is currently Windows 2003 Standard. While it does the job just fine, I could hope for something a bit more "svelte" out of the box. Thus Windows 2008 Server Core caught my eye.

Granted, I've never actually built a server core box, but it sounds like it might make a great host for VMware Server. I've yet to find an instance of anyone who's done it though. So, before I pervert a workstation for testing I figured I'd ask here:

Anyone tried VMware Server on 2008 server core? Anything to be aware of or gotchas?

(yes, I could also go with Linux for a thinner host, but this seems like a great excuse to bring up a 2008 server core box!)

Edit: I guess I should mention this server hosts our development environments.

+4  A: 

It won't work. This is answered on VMware's FAQ for VMware Server 2:

Can I install VMware Server 2 on a Core installation of Windows Server 2008 host operating system?

No, VMware Server 2 can only be installed on a Full installation of Windows Server 2008 host operating system. However, both Core and Full installations of Windows Server 2008 are supported as guest operating systems.

bzlm
Ah thanks. You'd think with an hour of web searches I could've found that! Clearly, my google-fu is weak.And hell, I might just try it anyways...
Chris K
Please report your findings here afterwards. =]
bzlm
+1  A: 

Confirmed.

The VMware Server installer stops the install with "Windows 2008 Server Core installations are not supported" And so it ends. Guess I'll go with a stripped down CentOS for a "lean" host

Chris K
Are you sure your box isn't up to ESX standards?
bzlm
no :-) Based on the white box list (http://www.vm-help.com/esx/esx3.5/Whiteboxes_SATA_Controllers_for_ESX_3.5_3i.htm) it just might work. I'm just hesitant to commit without knowing for certain.
Chris K
A: 

Installed Virtual Server version 2.0.1 build 156745 on a Windows Server 2008 core with SP2 and the installation completed succesfully. Hovwer, while doing tasks in the webinterface I encountered many errors (popup: The server response included one or more errors) and tasks were never completed.

Then I read about the fact that Vmware server is not supported on a Core installation.

Ronald M.

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