Anyone Running Windows Server 2008 on a Workstation?

[Markbnj]

Hi guys, was wondering if anyone is using Windows Server 2008 as a workstation OS? If so, what are the positives and negatives vs. Vista, and are you able to get a complete multimedia and gaming experience?

 

[Crusty]

It's my understanding that Server 2008 and Vista SP1 use the same kernel under the hood. The differences are the defaults for the installed services/applications and system settings so with enough manual work you could get the extra stuff in Vista installed in Server 2008.

 

[Canterwood]

As has been said, you can usually get the server OS to act like the client with a bit of tweaking of services etc.

Anti Virus might be a problem though, as most regular home user ones wont install on a server OS.

 

[RebateMonger]

The AV problem with Server 2004 was usually solved either by using certain AV products in an "out-of-license" circumstance (they'd work with Server 2003, but it was a violation of their license) or by using a couple of AV products (most notably eTrust) that were designed to work on servers, didn't cost extra for the server license, and were available in one-PC quantities.

 

[Markbnj]

Thanks for the replies, folks. My interest in this was sparked by some forum posts and blog entries that I read claiming that server 2008 has all the benefits of Vista but performs better. From what I have heard Vista SP2 may offer some of the same benefits. If anyone has any opinions on the pros or cons of running server 2008 as my workstation OS I'd like to hear more.

 

[VinDSL]

Originally posted by: Markbnj
My interest in this was sparked by some forum posts and blog entries that I read claiming that server 2008 has all the benefits of Vista but performs better.

Yep!

I do a LOT of surfing - read 'til I'm blind every night, then go to bed to rest my eyes...

From what I've read, while Server 2008 and Vista share the same core, MS did it right with Server 2008, and wrong with Vista.

Once again, from what I've read, Server 2008 in 'desktop/workstation mode' will run circles around Vista, to many ppl's chagrin!

Even if you turn off all the features in Vista, Server 2008 still runs circles around it!

After reading all this stuff, I priced Server 2008. OMG it's expensive!!! :Q

I think I'll stick with Vista HP and hope MS gets around to 'doing it right'.

Personally, I've been running SP2 beta for a few days, and my apps are running unbelievabley 'snappy' now, sooo...

I *suspect* MS has 'snuck' some Server 2008 code into the Vista update... kinda like they're 'sneaking' Vista code into XP.

 

[Canterwood]

I reckon most of these things are probably the 'placebo effect'.

I've got Vista SP2 installed on my test rig, but haven't noticed any major performance increases. Everything seems feels the same as before.

Same thing happened with XP SP3.

 

[Tarrant64]

I use Server 2008 as a workstation.

You can use this website as a good reference: http://www.win2008workstation.com/wordpress/

I followed most of the steps here to get what services I needed turned on and I'm flying now. You should note that there may be problems with AntiVirus/Firewall compatibility. I use BitDefender for example which isn't supported by it. However, I was able to email support and told them I was using it for testing purposes and 24 hours later I was sent the upgraded beta version and all was well.

The performance of my startup though was terrible after I added BitDefender. All this information is on that website I linked above. It's a really good resource to get the most out of Server 2008. So far, I've been more than happy. Windows XP SP3 (no problems)-> Vista(crashes) - > Vista SP1(improvement, no more crashing, slow file system though) -> Server 2008 (fast bootup w/o AV/Firewall).

 

[RebateMonger]

The other place you may have problems is with backups. I imagine (I haven't checked it) that most Vista-based backup programs will refuse to run on Server 2008. The built-in Windows Server Backup seems to be OK, but I haven't actually done a restore yet.

As an aside, rumor is that Windows Home Server will back up Server 2008, too. Obviously, it's not a supported use of WHS.

 

[Griffinhart]

Originally posted by: VinDSL


Once again, from what I've read, Server 2008 in 'desktop/workstation mode' will run circles around Vista, to many ppl's chagrin!

That has not been my experience. I have 2k8 server installed and tweaked to run as a workstation and it dual boots with a Vista Ultimate (both 64bit versions) and I see zero performance difference between the two once the machine is running and the Vista install actually starts a little faster.

 

[bsobel]

Once again, from what I've read, Server 2008 in 'desktop/workstation mode' will run circles around Vista, to many ppl's chagrin!

Nope, same code base. The main reason people constantly claim that 2003 is a better destkop that XP and 2008 is better desktop than Vista is the server product id keeps lots of software from installing. They wind up with less bloated installs which (surprise surprise) makes them think its faster.

Even if you turn off all the features in Vista, Server 2008 still runs circles around it!

Benchmarks please. 2008 will show better performance as (guess what) a server. Vista will show better performance to interactive applications. Thats the way the kernel was (purposely) tuned.

I *suspect* MS has 'snuck' some Server 2008 code into the Vista update... kinda like they're 'sneaking' Vista code into XP.

ITS THE SAME CODE. Vista sp1 is Server 2008. Vista sp2 is Server 2008 R2.

 

[Markbnj]

Thanks for that bsobel. I think you probably nailed it. The server ends up doing just its job and doesn't have a bunch of extra processes running. So, that said, assuming a fresh default install, will server 2008 be leaner than Vista? That might be a reason to start with it and build up, rather than start with Vista and remove things.

 

[rudder]

Originally posted by: Markbnj
If anyone has any opinions on the pros or cons of running server 2008 as my workstation OS I'd like to hear more.

I got a copy of 2008 server from a launch event. I am now running vista64. For starters by vista install (ultimate edition) eats up 20 gb where server 2008 only took 8 gigs. So there is a lot less fluff. Windows 2008 felt a little snappier... but not really how sure that translated into improved performance of games and such...probably not much.

I had no major issues with 2008. Most Vista drivers worked fine (except for my all-in-one HP printer). PC-tools antivirus runs under 2008 but that is the only that will install without any tricks. Its not too bad, but not great.

The reason I went to vista is because some programs I use on a regular basis just did not run right. Not blue screens or anything... they just did not work the way they were supposed to. I just got tired of booting into Winxp64 to run the stuff I needed. I could have used virtualpc and in some cases I did... still a pain though.

Photoshop ran like a champ. I used the 32bit install and could use all 8 gigs of my ram.

Overall it was extremely stable and I do still use it... just not on my main rig anymore.

If you can get a cheap copy (people used to list the launch event copies on ebay) I say it is a great OS. Not worth it for the retail cost obviously. Just download the trial... you can reset it up to 240 days.

 

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[VinDSL]

Originally posted by: Canterwood
I reckon most of these things are probably the 'placebo effect'...

Then, again, maybe it's denial n' justification!

 

[VinDSL]

Originally posted by: Tarrant64
I use Server 2008 as a workstation.

You can use this website as a good reference: http://www.win2008workstation.com/wordpress/

I followed most of the steps here to get what services I needed turned on and I'm flying now...

Thank you!

 

[VinDSL]

Originally posted by: bsobel
The main reason people constantly claim that 2003 is a better destkop that XP and 2008 is better desktop than Vista is the server product id keeps lots of software from installing...

Truth!

Dittos for Server 2008 vs Vista!

Um...

Does it make any difference if it's, in fact, faster?

 

[bsobel]

Does it make any difference if it's, in fact, faster?

The point being, its not in fact faster as the configurations aren't compatible to make that statement.

 

[bsobel]

Originally posted by: Markbnj
Thanks for that bsobel. I think you probably nailed it. The server ends up doing just its job and doesn't have a bunch of extra processes running. So, that said, assuming a fresh default install, will server 2008 be leaner than Vista? That might be a reason to start with it and build up, rather than start with Vista and remove things.

To me it's six of one 1/2 dozen of the other. You have to turn on enough stuff in 2008 to get the same features as you need to turn off in Vista to trim it down. For the vast majority of users I'd still recommend Vista since at the end of the configuration you have the same thing and dont have to deal with installer checks, missing extras, etc (and the price difference, for those that do it out of pocket...)

 

[VinDSL]

Originally posted by: bsobel

Does it make any difference if it's, in fact, faster?

The point being, its not in fact faster as the configurations aren't compatible to make that statement.

Yes, sir, I'll give you that!

How long have you been testing Server 2008 in 'desktop/workstation mode'?

 

[bsobel]

How long have you been testing Server 2008 in 'desktop/workstation mode'?

Since beta.

 

[Markbnj]

Thanks for the tips, everyone. Tarrant64, that site you linked is one of the ones that got me thinking along these lines.

I may start with server 2008 just because I lean toward adding stuff that I need, rather than removing stuff I don't. But I wouldn't expect it to simply run faster or use less memory under identical configurations (or as close as you can get).

 

[randomlinh]

Originally posted by: rudder
Photoshop ran like a champ. I used the 32bit install and could use all 8 gigs of my ram.

Is that even possible?

 

[amddude]

Originally posted by: randomlinh

Originally posted by: rudder
Photoshop ran like a champ. I used the 32bit install and could use all 8 gigs of my ram.

Is that even possible?

I'm guessing he's using PAE.