2

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.

Chris K
  • 226
  • 2
  • 11

3 Answers3

4

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.

Community
  • 1
  • 1
bzlm
  • 9,626
  • 6
  • 65
  • 92
  • 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 Mar 18 '09 at 01:17
  • Please report your findings here afterwards. =] – bzlm Mar 18 '09 at 11:31
1

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
  • 226
  • 2
  • 11
  • Are you sure your box isn't up to ESX standards? – bzlm Mar 22 '09 at 22:35
  • 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 Mar 23 '09 at 17:29
0

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.
  • 1