Working with Server Core computers

Centrify Agents can be installed on Windows computers that are configured to run the Server Core operating environment. Server Core is a Windows installation option that provides a low-maintenance server environment with limited functionality.

Most Centrify Agent operations are not affected by running on Server Core. However, there are specific features that are not available or not applicable because of the limitations of the Server Core environment itself. For example, the Run with Privilege menu option is not available on Server Core computers because Server Core does not support Windows Explorer and other graphical user interface applications. However, you can use the runasrole command line utility to run specific applications using a specified role.

Similarly, there’s no Centrify notification area applet or desktop rights available on Server Core computers. However, you can access the Authorization Center, agent control panels, and agent command-line utilities from the Server Core command prompt.

The following list summarizes the Centrify Agent for Windows features that are not supported on Server Core computers:

  • You cannot create, select, or switch desktops or use any desktop-related features because the Windows desktop is not available on Server Core.
  • You cannot select Run with Privilege as a right-click menu option for applications because Windows Explorer is not available on Server Core.
  • You cannot open the Authorization Center or access the Centrify notification area applet because the Windows desktop and Windows Explorer are not available on Server Core.
  • You cannot open applications such as the Privilege Elevation Service Settings or DirectAudit Agent Control Panel from Start menu shortcuts because the Windows desktop and Windows Explorer are not available on Server Core.

You should note that only Centrify Agents for Windows are supported for the Server Core environment. A small number of other Server Suite for Windows support a command line interface, but are not configured to support a Server Core environment.