Question 1

Sqtrade insurance is not offered. What is assurance that the software will load, properly register & be recognized by Microsoft since it is non-returnable?

Accepted Answer

It loaded easily on both a dell professional notebook and a dell professional workstation (no restriction to server hardware) and operates well.  Can be upgraded with a simple script to full server 2019 if you decide to buy that license in the future and do not want to re-install everything.  Essentials supports a max of 64GB of RAM (any over that not used), and when upgraded to Server 2019, all RAM immediately is used.

Question 2

Does this come with an activation key?

Accepted Answer

Along with the CD is a document part of which can be scratched off.  Under the scratch-off area is the activation key.

Question 3

Can I use this as an NFS server (NOT CLIENT) on a local network?

Accepted Answer

I am not doing this personally. However, under 'Add Roles and Features' --> 'Server Roles' -->'File and Storage Services' --> 'File and iSCSI Services' --> 'Server for NFS' is available.  It's description indicates it enables the computer to share with UNIX and other computers that use NFS protocol. Sounds like it to me.

Question 4

it says 2 cpu, is it core limited? or just physical CPU limited?

Accepted Answer

I installed it on a Dell 2950 with two four core processors, I do not believe it is core limited. I needed RDS and was confused by Microsoft's misleading description of CAL Licenses for 25 users/50 devices - that is NOT remote desktop and I had to go to the Server standard edition. Essentials licensing does not permit Remote Desktop for anything more than one remote administration user.

Question 5

Does Windows Server 2019 Essential support client backups? If not is there some workaround? Coming from WHS and that feature saved me quite a few times.

Accepted Answer

Server 2019 does support client backups, but it's not straight forward or easy by any means. You would be better off migrating from WHS to Windows Server Essentials 2012 or 2016, if you can find one of those. They are easy and intuitive, unlike 2019.

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