Question

Photo of Hock_Hin Lee

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Latest recommended Microsoft Server Version and Edition for Rock

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1)  For Internal Hosting, which is the latest edition of Microsoft Windows Server that is recommended for Rock?

Starting with Windows Server 2012, there are now several new versions

Windows Server 2012

Windows Server 2012 R2

Windows Server 2016 (Preview)

 

2)  Can I use the Essentials Edition instead of the Standard Edition?  This decision has more to do with the CAL licensing issue.

 

3)  I can always try out the various options, but from experience, each try takes more than 1 day's work as a lot of time is spent of downloading/updating the Operating System.  Using the latest workable version means that support and upgrades will be available longer.

An earlier attempt with Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials went as far as hitting this error when installing Rock

  • Photo of Jim Michael

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    Regarding version, 2012 R2 is considered the best/most current version on which to run Rock. There's no reason to run the much older 2012, and 2016 is still in preview and would be a risk (my opinion) to run a production load on it.

    Regarding editions, while Rock will probably function on Essentials, I would steer clear of it. Using Essentials means that server must become the AD FSMO master domain controller among other things. There are major downsides to installing Essentials into anything but a small environment with very simple needs. 

    Go with 2012 R2 standardand SQL 2014 and you won't go wrong   Both will be easily upgradable in place when you wa t to move to 2016 versions  

     

     

    • Hock_Hin Lee

      Hock_Hin Lee

      The primary use of this server (hardware and software) is to host Rock RMS. Our church office is also small with a headcount of 8 (inclusive of 3 pastors). We will not be using Active Directory if we can avoid it (sticking to Windows Workgroup)

      • Jim Michael

        Jim Michael

        If that's the case, you could probably run Rock on Windows desktop ;-) I honestly don't know if Win Essentials "forces" you to install AD, but assuming it doesn't, it would meet the need.