Jun
25
Server Core Pros and Cons
June 25, 2007 | Leave a Comment
SearchWinIT.com have an article summarising some of the comments and criticisms that have been made about Server Core, the new non-UI mode for Longhorn which I have mentioned in this forum in the past.
The Server Core install option, which essentially strips out all of the Windows Server 2008 OS features not needed to run a given server role, keeps getting more features and roles.
Last month Microsoft added IIS 7.0 and virtualization as Server Core roles on top of file server, print, DNS, DHCP, Active Directory, Active Directory Lightweight Edition and Windows Media Services.
Now, the company is working on adding the .Net Framework as a Server Core role to allow IT administrators to get the full power out of the IIS 7.0 Web Server and use PowerShell as a scripting language, said Ward Ralston, product manager with Microsoft’s Windows Server team.
The article provides some useful information on the limitations and possible uses of Server Core.
Read all about it here.
Source: SearchWinIT.com
Jun
23
The new Mini-ITX box is operational
June 23, 2007 | 1 Comment
In between bouts of heavy digging in the garden and putting off doing my paperwork, my Mini-ITX components finally arrived from Logic Supply and I found some time to build the new box.
The computer is intended to replace an existing Pentium II Mid-Tower PC that is about 6 or 7 years old that functions as my Domain, DNS and DHCP Server.
The Morex 3677 case is pretty small, not much bigger than an external DVD Drive. Despite this it has room for both a slimline DVD drive and a 2.5″ Hard Drive in a special cage above the motherboard. I decided that I did not need a Hard Drive so I used a 4GB Emphase Flash Hard Disk instead which is very quiet and uses a lot less power than a Hard Disk. To extend the life of the disk, I turned off Virtual Memory in Windows.
Installation of the Motherboard was very straightforward as everything lines up just so; the only minor difficulty was finding a screwdriver for the really tiny screws to secure the slimline DVD to the cage. Some of the wiring from the front panel indicators to the motherboard were a little tight as well. The VIA motherboard was a fanless model so there was no CPU fan to worry about.
Installation of Windows was a little slow as the machine only has 256 MB of RAM but performance for what it needs to do is pretty decent.
According to the Mini-Box.com, power usage for the ML8000 worked out at just under 20W in idle mode with a Flash Drive and a slim CDROM; so all in all it should be using a lot less power than the Pentium II it replaced.
 All in all, I am pretty happy with it and I will be replacing my other Server boxes with Mini-ITXs in due course.
Jun
16
Mini-ITX is on the way
June 16, 2007 | 2 Comments
Well, I am still busy gardening but I have found the time to order the components from Logic Supply to build a Mini-ITX server to replace my oldest existing server (a Pentium II) and they should arrive on Monday.
I thought it would a good idea to start with a fairly basic motherboard so I ordered an EPIA ML6000EAG with 256MB of RAM, along with a 4GB Emphase Cardflash drive. This should hopefully enough to run Windows Server on without too many problems.
I might take this opportunity to play with the beta of Longhorn that is now available.
Jun
11
Site Update
June 11, 2007 | 2 Comments
Well, I have finished my most recent contract in Germany and am now back home in Canada which is nice.
I have had some family commitments taking up my time since I got home so I apologise for the lack of posts; I also have a lot of gardening to catch up on since I have been away!
I hope to have some news up later this week.
