Installing the Server Core edition of Windows Server 2008 isn't very different from installing a normal, full installation of Windows Server 2008. There is one key screen—the product selection dialog—wherein you elect to install the core versus the full installation. After that point, there is no difference installation-wise. This key screen is depicted in Figure 9-2.
You will need 512 MB of RAM in your Server Core target machine during the installation process. Server Core itself, once installed, does not require that much memory, but the Setup process does. Disk space isn't as much of a problem: a typical Server Core installation requires only about 20% of the space of a standard Windows Server 2008 installation.
Tip
If you are using Windows Deployment Services in your organization, you can deploy Server Core machines through the automated system. Just select the Server Core option in the installation menu. See Chapter 2 for more information on Windows Deployment Services.