Run Windows Server 2008 (2K8) and Windows Home Server (WHS) Simultaneously?

Question

Hi,

I'm looking to buy a media server (probably one of the HP MediaSmart models) to consolidate the family's media library (scattered across 2 desktops, 3 laptops, Mac and Windows). I also need to run Windows Server 2008 for a work-project I'm developing.

Media servers typically run Windows Home Server (WHS), which itself is a customized version of Windows Server 2003. Is it possible to get both running on the same machine?

I've googled articles that describe how to replace WHS with WS2K8, but that is not what I want. WHS will be the primary server OS and I'll only need WS2K8 when I need to test something with a Active Directory domain.

So the question is this: can a media server either be configured to dual-boot WHS and WS2K8, or can WS2K8 be run as a virtual machine on a media server, and if so, how?

Thanks,
Roland Thomas

Answer 1

It's entirely possible yet, may I dare say, a bit too much for your needs. Windows 2008 can function as both a media and a domain server. Rights can be distributed along Active Directory's OU's (organizational units) using Group Policies. If you do it that way, then you will want 2 servers as you first suggested, with the server running W2K8 as the DS. Bring the other server(s) in as data servers and divide your users according to the following groups: W2K8 have all the Domain administrators/Admnistrators. On the other server you bring in the other people as users. You can then distribute the GPs to the second computer using Active Directory.



Google articles on "lockdown policy" if you want to know more about how to do this.

Answer 2

domicile windows 2008 Server is expert server application for coping with extensive networks. the domicile server is probable in user-friendly terms a record server used to backup and proportion documents between computers on a "domicile" community. If it have been me, i could go purchase a brilliant exterior USB difficultchronic for backing up documents; and shop domicile windows Server 2008 on an previous pc to apply as a record server for shared documents and purposes on your domicile community. it extremely is like evaluating apples and oranges. Server 2008 manages extensive companies or humm a house server that facilitates you to proportion some documents. Hummm. It somewhat relies upon on what you're making use of all this technologies for finally. yet i could purchase the exterior USB difficultchronic for backups and shop Server 2008 assuming it extremely is a criminal reproduction.

Answer 3

try virtual machines like sun's virtual box or vmware