Dell server.

[Domdom]

Ok, it’s been a while, but here goes.

iDRAC uses a Java client. Since Oracle started charging for Java the browsers all use emulators. These work about as well as an ashtray on a motorcycle. My go-to for this is an old version of Firefox Portable edition installed on a USB stick with an old Java client. It works but it’s still pretty poo. Also, depending on the age of the server, it might need iDRAC enterprise to get the desktop in a browser. It’s a license key basically.

Server 2022 has to be installed as a full version, not headless or command line only. There should be a proper Dell image for this available as a ISO download. Search in SUPPORT and DRIVERS using the service tag. The Dell version includes all the drivers you need etc. Once that’s done you can use the RDP client which I would do through a VPN. Best to not expose 3389 to the general internet.

If you want a hand over a shared screen just ping me. Happy to help out.

 

[ukracer]

This is basically where I ending up.

 

[Domdom]

That’s the command line version without a GUI, or “core” as MS refer to it. The only way to get the GUI is a clean install. MS removed the upgrade path back at Server 2012 because it was the cause of many problems.

 

[skotl]

Possibly dumb question, but have we covered off why it needs to be Windows compared to Linux or even something like Proxmox, which is a very thin VM layer that you could then install Windows on top of (and get access to the console via a web interface)?

 

[ukracer]

That’s the command line version without a GUI, or “core” as MS refer to it. The only way to get the GUI is a clean install. MS removed the upgrade path back at Server 2012 because it was the cause of many problems.

Lol. So all this time I have been expecting a GUI to appear but I have installed the wrong version?
Ghere is nothing on there so a clean install is cool.....if I can remember how I installed it in the first place. Lol

 

[ukracer]

Possibly dumb question, but have we covered off why it needs to be Windows compared to Linux or even something like Proxmox, which is a very thin VM layer that you could then install Windows on top of (and get access to the console via a web interface)?

Not really BUT i summised that as I have used server version before (although not actually on a server) it would be a simpler route. I really did not want to confuse myself with Linux ( although my reseller account for websites is linux).

I have heard promox mentioned before...but this is where I struggle with things like thin VM layer. Lol. I simply don't know what they are..

 

[skotl]

Not really BUT i summised that as I have used server version before (although not actually on a server) it would be a simpler route. I really did not want to confuse myself with Linux ( although my reseller account for websites is linux).

I have heard promox mentioned before...but this is where I struggle with things like thin VM layer. Lol. I simply don't know what they are..

you maybe have nothing to lose at this point. Install proxmox from usb and then you can go back to your browser and install windows from there.

 

[Domdom]

Lol. So all this time I have been expecting a GUI to appear but I have installed the wrong version?
Ghere is nothing on there so a clean install is cool.....if I can remember how I installed it in the first place. Lol

Go to the Dell site, look for support and driver downloads, put in your service tag and it should give you a list. The Dell MS Windows Server image will be there, well it is usually. It has all the drivers needed for the RAID controller and so on. Makes it a lot easier. Like I said, gimme a shout if you want some help.

 

[ukracer]

you maybe have nothing to lose at this point. Install proxmox from usb and then you can go back to your browser and install windows from there.

Is that paid for software?

 

[Domdom]

Is that paid for software?

Proxmox is free, but you can pay for support if you choose. It's a Linux based hypervisor.

 

[knighty]

If its only for file storage unraid or freenas would be better

Hexos looks promising but I haven't looked at it in a while, it's still pretty new and having bits added pretty regularly

If its to play/experiment with then install the gui version of windiws server and crack on. (I can send you server 2019 data centre gui if you want?)

 

[skotl]

Is that paid for software?

Per the other responses - it is free

Can't remember whether we got to the bottom of what you'd be using the machine for but, if it's file storage, then agree that it might be worth looking at an opensource NAS install.

To combine the two, here's proxmox running on my physical server, then I have a NAS (OpenMediaVault) and Home Assistant each running on their own VMs on top of proxmox:

The actual install of Proxmox is a piece of pee - takes about ten minutes and is largely automatic.

Once up and running, you do everything from the Proxmox web page. First, you'd upload the Windows Server (or some other NAS) ISO:

Then create a VM, using that ISO as a fake DVD drive:

Then, once it's started, you get "virtual bare metal" access to its console. In this image it's a Linux machine but, in your case, you'd see the Windows console in here.

 

[ukracer]

If its only for file storage unraid or freenas would be better

Hexos looks promising but I haven't looked at it in a while, it's still pretty new and having bits added pretty regularly

If its to play/experiment with then install the gui version of windiws server and crack on. (I can send you server 2019 data centre gui if you want?)

Whats the difference. I was kindly sent windows server 2022 and this was where I went wrong.
I installed the standard version ( which I think is also called core version.)

So whilst I was whinging about not being able to access the server, in reality I was but was expecting a Gui like windows 7 etc

I have tried installing the data centre version but it did not seem to install.

Whats the difference between data center version and non data centre.

 

[ukracer]

Per the other responses - it is free

Can't remember whether we got to the bottom of what you'd be using the machine for but, if it's file storage, then agree that it might be worth looking at an opensource NAS install.

To combine the two, here's proxmox running on my physical server, then I have a NAS (OpenMediaVault) and Home Assistant each running on their own VMs on top of proxmox:

View attachment 520259


The actual install of Proxmox is a piece of pee - takes about ten minutes and is largely automatic.

Once up and running, you do everything from the Proxmox web page. First, you'd upload the Windows Server (or some other NAS) ISO:

View attachment 520260

Then create a VM, using that ISO as a fake DVD drive:

View attachment 520261


Then, once it's started, you get "virtual bare metal" access to its console. In this image it's a Linux machine but, in your case, you'd see the Windows console in here.

View attachment 520262

And boom a whole new world opens up. Both in terminology and software.

I tried reading up on the various items etc but decided this "virtual" world is really a step above my pay grade for now. I need to read and digest so I really know what's available , before I actually know what I want.

 

[ukracer]

If its only for file storage unraid or freenas would be better

Hexos looks promising but I haven't looked at it in a while, it's still pretty new and having bits added pretty regularly

If its to play/experiment with then install the gui version of windiws server and crack on. (I can send you server 2019 data centre gui if you want?)

File storage. AND play and experiment.

Whats the benefits of later versions?

And a quick look at TrueNas and Unraid does indeed suggest they might be useful to me.

 

[knighty]

File storage. AND play and experiment.

Whats the benefits of later versions?

And a quick look at TrueNas and Unraid does indeed suggest they might be useful to me.

No advantage of 2019 over 2022... justcwasnt sure if you had gui version?

 

[ukracer]

No advantage of 2019 over 2022... justcwasnt sure if you had gui version?

No I meant is 2025 any better than 2022 for example.

But I think I do. I think I just installed the wrong version the first time I tried.

 

[knighty]

They're all pretty identical tbh... sometimes old one is better sometimes new one... depends what you're doing and how deep your going

Gor 99.9% of stuff normal people like us do it makes no difference

You need to work in IT looking after a bunch of servers to see any difference

 

[ukracer]

That’s the command line version without a GUI, or “core” as MS refer to it. The only way to get the GUI is a clean install. MS removed the upgrade path back at Server 2012 because it was the cause of many problems.

I have reinstalled now and can see Gui . Only thing is I am wondering what the difference is with the DATA center version.

It seems this version I have has 4 options. Will try and get a photo.

Ok, it’s been a while, but here goes.

iDRAC uses a Java client. Since Oracle started charging for Java the browsers all use emulators. These work about as well as an ashtray on a motorcycle. My go-to for this is an old version of Firefox Portable edition installed on a USB stick with an old Java client. It works but it’s still pretty poo. Also, depending on the age of the server, it might need iDRAC enterprise to get the desktop in a browser. It’s a license key basically.

Server 2022 has to be installed as a full version, not headless or command line only. There should be a proper Dell image for this available as a ISO download. Search in SUPPORT and DRIVERS using the service tag. The Dell version includes all the drivers you need etc. Once that’s done you can use the RDP client which I would do through a VPN. Best to not expose 3389 to the general internet.

If you want a hand over a shared screen just ping me. Happy to help out.

Mmm not sure why it let me install the command line only version.

 

[Domdom]

Datacentre versus standard is to do with CPU and memory. DC can address more. Not a limit you’re going to hit
There are some other bits to do with licensing, again it’s not something you need to be concerned with.