I am currently running Server 2012 R2 Essentials, and it was my first ever server OS build.
Although fun and a learning process, I am not sure I really need this for my home server. It is also my first shot at running my home network as a domain, which I also doubt that I need for any reason.
My server is currently an Emby media server (similar to being a Plex server for those of you that don't know Emby), the backend for an HD Homerun DVR service, and houses around 10TB of movies, music, home videos and pictures.
It also currently runs as a DNS server and AD of course, just because it basically has to from what I can tell.
I dont really NEED AD or DNS.
So is there any reason to run Server 2012 vs changing over to Win 8.1 pro? I do use ReFS for the data drives, because I wanted the error checking and bit rot protection of that new system but Win 8.1 pro supports this already as well.
I do want to still be able to use Remote desktop for this headless server, but I believe Win 8.1 pro supports this just the same as Server 2012 does.
Anything else that I might be missing out on that I am not thinking about?
My main reason to change would be just that the server is doing things I dont need it to, like the aforementioned DNS and AD, that those services take up half a gig of ram and a few CPU cycles I believe. Probably inconsequential in the long run, though.
Thoughts?
Although fun and a learning process, I am not sure I really need this for my home server. It is also my first shot at running my home network as a domain, which I also doubt that I need for any reason.
My server is currently an Emby media server (similar to being a Plex server for those of you that don't know Emby), the backend for an HD Homerun DVR service, and houses around 10TB of movies, music, home videos and pictures.
It also currently runs as a DNS server and AD of course, just because it basically has to from what I can tell.
I dont really NEED AD or DNS.
So is there any reason to run Server 2012 vs changing over to Win 8.1 pro? I do use ReFS for the data drives, because I wanted the error checking and bit rot protection of that new system but Win 8.1 pro supports this already as well.
I do want to still be able to use Remote desktop for this headless server, but I believe Win 8.1 pro supports this just the same as Server 2012 does.
Anything else that I might be missing out on that I am not thinking about?
My main reason to change would be just that the server is doing things I dont need it to, like the aforementioned DNS and AD, that those services take up half a gig of ram and a few CPU cycles I believe. Probably inconsequential in the long run, though.
Thoughts?