Windows Server Essentials 2012

[K A Hall]

I've downloaded the 180 day trial of Windows Server Essentials 2012 and have installed it a few times but ended up hosing it trying to figure it out. It's weird as you have to install it as a domain controller but it is also supposed to be the replacement for Windows Home server which I never used but understand it was way simpler to set up. Before I hosed one install I was able to connect to it via RDC without connecting my pc to the domain but then I tried to guess at something and like I said I basically bricked it. I'm going to go searching for how to use this as a home server and take advantage of most of the features without connecting to the DC but thought I would ask here if anyone has a good guide they might have come across they could share here.
So anyone have a good guide for that?

[GaryRouth]

Hi Rick


Terry Walsh has a three part series that has step-by-step instructions (complete with screenshots) - and lots of detail. When he started the series, Server Essentials 2012 was still in beta, but I imagine that most of the details will be still applicable. Here are the links:
Installing Windows Server 2012 Essentials: Part 1 | We Got Served
Installing Windows Server 2012 Essentials: Part 2 | We Got Served
Installing Windows Server 2012 Essentials: Part 3 | We Got Served

Paul Thurrott has been following the advent of Server Essentials 2012 also, his three articles cover his experiences and evaluations, rather than step-by-step, but might have some good 'broad picture' advantages.
http://winsupersite.com/article/wind...acement-144275
http://winsupersite.com/article/wind...entials-144448
http://winsupersite.com/article/wind...entials-144500
He has more articles about the server in the "Windows Server" section of his website, that cover more specific areas.

Too bad they didn't keep Home Server around - I'm not too crazy about the $500 to $550 price for the new server. Its rather like a blend of Home Server & Small Business Server. For my own needs, though, plain-vanilla Windows 8 Pro provides pretty much anything I need. With the "cloud" services available at such reasonable prices, and so easy to setup and maintain, there are a lot more choices available to both small businesses and home users.
_______________

. . . and it still isn't Friday yet! I need a nap.
. . . Gary

[K A Hall]

Originally Posted by GaryRouth Hi Rick [..] For my own needs, though, plain-vanilla Windows 8 Pro provides pretty much anything I need. [..].

I'm starting to think Win8 as a server will work for me as well but I'm still mulling it over. Thanks for the links. BTW, it's Kirk. Rick is the other Hall participating here.

[glc]

An article that will help you:

Windows 8 Home Server Guide | Maximum PC

I don't know whether it still applies, but earlier Pro versions of Windows were limited to a maximum of 10 machines in the workgroup connecting to it.