AutoCAD Civil 3D running on Microsoft Windows Server 2012

[lcole]

I am setting up a new workstation/server and would like to install Microsoft Server 2012 as the main operating system. Will AutoCAD Civil 3D 2013 or 2014 run on a server operating system? I could only find Windows 8 or preferably Windows 7 listed in any of the documentation.

[dgorsman]

Run?  Probably.  Run well?  Maybe, maybe not.  Civil3D is a desktop program, not designed to run on a Server OS.

Running a desktop as a simultaneous server/running a server witth desktop capabilities isn't the best of ideas.  At some point you will need to reboot, kill programs, update installs, or engage in all sorts of other tasks which are incompatible with normal server operations.

[lcole]

Thanks for the reply. For clarification the system will be running a host OS and 5 to 7 client OS in VM environments. The system is mainly for development and serious data analysis with just one user. Was contemplating using windows server as the host OS but now having second thoughts. May just stick to Windows 7 as the current system is set up. I like to run the main apps (AutoCAD, ArcGIS, Office, etc.) on the host system to eliminate issues drivers, hardware access, data storage, etc. Leave the servers to the VM's.

Lance