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Server Core is a minimal server installation option for Windows Server "Longhorn". It runs a subset of the server roles included in Longhorn Server, specifically it supports the following:
- DHCP server
- File Server
- DNS server
- Active Directory
Server Core also includes the following optional features:
- Failover Cluster
- Network Load Balancing
- Multipath IO
- Removable Storage
- Bitlocker Drive Encryption
- Subsystem for UNIX-based applications
- Backup
Server Core is all about letting an administrator run the above roles with less installed, running, and needing to be managed on a server. For example, there is no GUI shell on Server Core, the local interface for managing the server is the command prompt. You can use MMC snap-ins to remotely manage a Server Core installation. All of this provides the following benefits:
- Reduced maintance
- Reduced attack surface area
- Reduced management
- Less disk space required to install