Question about Windows Home Server 2011

[CrAsHnBuRnXp]

Quick question. My boss has a a little side project going on for another business. Short story is they have about 20 users and they need a new server built. Boss wants to use Windows Home Server 2011 with domain controller support(i know it's not supported) because cost is a factor. My question is does "upgrading" it with domain controller support increase its user base from 10 to say 25+? Or is he SoL and have to get Windows Small Business Server?

Thanks!

 

[newtekie1]

I'm not sure but, I can test it on a VM and let you know.

 

[CrAsHnBuRnXp]

I'm not sure but, I can test it on a VM and let you know.

that'd be awesome

 

[rtwjunkie]

WHS 2011 has a hard 10 client limit, and I don't believe that limit can be broken. It's for truly small businesses and homes. If you want a hard, no-question at all answer, there are some real experts in the WHS 2011 subforum over at We Got Served (http://forum.wegotserved.com/).

EDIT: One of the mods actually works for MS now, hired because of his vast knowledge inside and out of WHS 2011 and Windows Server Essentials 2012.

 

[newtekie1]

Well, I ran into the first hurdle. It seems WHS2011 doesn't actually allow you to promote it to a Domain Controller. Apparently that trick only works with the original version of WHS. When you try to run dcpromo on WHS2011 it says "The Active Directory Domain Services Installation Wizard is not supported on this SKU."

I guess Microsoft got wise to people running WHS as a domain controller and fixed the glitch in 2011.

Seeing as how the original WHS is already EOL, I wouldn't recommend trying to run it either.

So it looks like they are just SOL and will have to bite the bullet and buy Windows Server.

 

[CrAsHnBuRnXp]

Well, I ran into the first hurdle. It seems WHS2011 doesn't actually allow you to promote it to a Domain Controller. Apparently that trick only works with the original version of WHS. When you try to run dcpromo on WHS2011 it says "The Active Directory Domain Services Installation Wizard is not supported on this SKU."

I guess Microsoft got wise to people running WHS as a domain controller and fixed the glitch in 2011.

Seeing as how the original WHS is already EOL, I wouldn't recommend trying to run it either.

So it looks like they are just SOL and will have to bite the bullet and buy Windows Server.

Why bother putting in the option for WHS to work as a domain controller if you dont want your clients (us) to do it?

Would just uninstalling that update associated with breaking WHS to be promoted to a DC solve the issue?

 

[newtekie1]

There is no update, WHS and WHS2011 are different OSes.

WHS = Server 2003 R2
WHS2011 = Server 2008 R2

 

[Disparia]

Yeah, that does sound familiar, WHS having hidden support for DC but losing it in the following version.

Wish I could say that Samba 4.x is a free Linux alternative, but I haven't gotten my server up and running yet to try it out and provide any personal opinion or knowledge. I do know that it has the basics down, like having clients join the domain (obviously), folder redirection, share permissions, etc. So it's good enough for my home network but may fall short elsewhere. Last I heard it didn't do domain/forest trusts and some other things.

 

[newtekie1]

Honestly, I'd just get Windows Server 2012 R2 Standard, I'd avoid Essentials/Small Business Edition. Yes, Standard Edition is $300 more, but Essentials/Small Business is limited to 25 users, and you can't add a better domain controller later if you wish.