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Thinking of making VM of AC. Not sure which OS to put it in. Read all the windows 10 problem. I?ve had good luck with windows 8.1.

I currently have windows server 2012 essentials. Works fine but it?s the domain server and fax server along with amazing charts server. Don?t like the boot up time and restart time though.

Someone pointed out virtualizing everything.

I?m thinking windows server 2016 essentials with hyper V role. VM of server 2016 essentials to function as domain server because it?s easy to use.

I?m undecided on what OS to use for the amazing charts server. This will be VM.

Would server 2016 standard slow amazing charts down? Would windows 8.1 be stable enough and allow amazing charts to run faster without much background programs?

Fax server will be on server 2016 standard since this is required to join domain. This will be separat machine since I can?t VM the fax modem.

Sooooo... overall. What operating system should I run Amazing charts in as VM? Thanks!

I don't think you can use Win 2012 server essentials as the VM host for another operating system running AC:



Not sure about 2016 version. You could make your present Win Server essentials 2012 the VM running AC. But you might need Windows Server standard as the VM host.

Actually John, that has changed. M$ now allows Virtualization of WSE both 2012R2 and 2016

"The Hyper-V role and Hyper-V Manager console are now included with Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials! The server licensing rights have been expanded, allowing you to install an instance of Essentials on your physical server to run the Hyper-V role (with none of the other roles and features of the Essentials Experience installed), and a second instance of Essentials as a virtual machine (VM) on that same server with all the Essentials Experience roles and features." https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com...ndows-server-essentials-experience-role/

So you install WSE, activate Hyper-V, Install a virtualized version then you have to turn off the essentials functions on the hardware machine. It is explained here: https://social.technet.microsoft.co...yperv-role?forum=2012R2EssentialsPreview

I haven't done it this way, but was considering going this route.

Plus, I think they are disabling or getting rid of Essentials as we know it in the latest version.

2016. Should already have a license. If it has enough RAM, I don't see how it could slow it down. You could run the VM on SSDs.

Plus you could probably get away cheaper and better with the Canon MFC which comes with a fax server. Funny, it is four times cheaper than a Mainpine board. (talk to Sandeep)

It's been announced the Essentials Experience has been removed from Server 2019. Server 2019 Essentials is basically Server 2019 Standard with licensing restrictions. Similar to 2008 Foundation Server from back in the day.

There's not a huge benefit to running AC in a separate VM from Essentials. 8.1 and 2012R2 are based on the same core. As Bert mentioned, Canon MFC's have an integrated web server that allows users to print to Fax and receive faxes using the software in its embedded webserver. The only client-side software is the print to fax driver.

If you want to go the Essentials route. You can use 2016 Essentials as the Hyper-V host and 2016 Essentials as the VM. The upside of the Canon is that you don't need to setup another physical server just for faxing. It's also significantly cheaper at less <$250 for the machine. I wouldn't bother putting AC in a separate VM.

Thank you everyone for commenting.

will look into canon mfc and faxing via print to fax. although, I like the windows fax and scanner interface. windows fax server has served me well for over 10 years. I have an older computer that can function as the fax server, but too slow for workstation. the only cost would be the windows server operating system. if necessary, I can just have DNS server and fax server together and simply not VM this.

I wanted separate AC on 8.1 VM for it to not depend on server or be attached to any roles like DNS and Fax. I can move it around and do what I want with it since it's VM. I'm thinking about running it as VM on my personal workstation so that it's on the same computer and hope to minimize lag between database and my workstation. not sure how much it'll slow my computer down with everyone accessing it. but once it's VM, I can simply move it to some other computer if necessary. more freedom with AC VM on non server OS. at least that's my vision.

thanks again everyone!

As to fax server, how much do you plan on spending on Server OS? Are you using a fax board and a modem? Sounds like you are doing the high tech faxing. Canon and fax server are still print to fax. I like Windows Fax and Scan a little better since it allows you to put the patient name in the subject line and you can see the patients in its window. One advantage of the Canon is if you have an employee like a biller in a back office, you can use the fax server and still have an MFC in a different location all for about $225. And, this isn't your father's MFC.

It will obviously be faster on your own PC, but are you the only one accessing it? It seems a shame to have a server and not use it on a server. Now, you have to make sure you have very good backups on the server and your PC which will not be optimized for a file and app server.

I guess I am still missing something maybe because I don't know your hardware on your server. But, if you have Windows Server 2016 Standard and run one VM with Server 2016 (already licensed) and another VM with Amazing Charts with Server 2016 (licensed) everything is on the server.

I know you know this, but that is the whole idea of a server. Optimized for these programs and databases and a single point of data to back up, etc.

Are you talking about a hypervisor on your workstation and running VM? I really think you are going to have connection issues. The more you run on your computer, the more it can slow down the performance. If your computer reboots, especially if Windows 10 updates, everyone is down. What if you are off, and your computer is not running for whatever reason, you have to give someone your password to log in.

I am sorry to keep saying it, but I just understand having a server and not using it for your most important database. Before Windows Server 2016 Standard, I just ran SBS 2008 with Domain server, Active Directory, Exchange, Fax server, Medware, SharePoint and AC with two RAID arrays.

No way to tell, but for more than seven years, never had a connection issue or any performance issues.

Use your server, use Windows Server Standard 2016, make the two VMs with Windows 10 core. I would think the only reason you would want to move the VM would be to move it to another server.

Just my two cents.

already have the fax modem. have everything set up on current server 2012 essentials with fax server, AC server, DNS server. everyone in office uses it to fax out.

fax in was fax to email through old internet / phone service provider. just changed provider so no more fax to email. have separate machine now that only accepts faxes. too much going in and going out so I needed separate lines. can't miss those incoming faxes! plan to change over to updox fax service soon.

I think server 2016 is $400 now.

with VM technology, I thought maybe server os is not necessary for AC. especially when many people have AC server on window 10 or other non-server OS. maybe i'm not given server OS the respect is still deserves. with VM, the whole computer back up is easier and we still have the AC backup that happens every night, so I didn't think about those issues with windows 8.1 OS.

connection issues with everyone accessing it was my concern as well. now that you've emphasized that problem, maybe i'll scratch the idea of having AC VM on my personal workstation.

I already have the server essentials 2016 from my bro in law. so i'll likely do this:

1. server computer 1
a. hyper v server role with server essentials 2016, easier to use IMO.
b. VM of server essentials 2016 for DNS server, easier set up with essentials.
c. VM of server 2016 standard for AC server, does nothing but AC. if necessary, I can still move this around as needed.

2. fax server computer 2 with server 2016 standard (I believe we get 2 licenses with it).


thanks for the two cents.

already have the fax modem. have everything set up on current server 2012 essentials with fax server, AC server, DNS server. everyone in office uses it to fax out.

I was just asking fax modem vs fax board such as Mainpine with one or two lines. Much more expensive but MUCH better to handle high incoming fax volume. We have two lines as well, which makes it nice if server is down, can switch mfc to other line to not miss incoming faxes. Do you just mean AC database?

fax in was fax to email through old internet / phone service provider. just changed provider so no more fax to email. have separate machine now that only accepts faxes. too much going in and going out so I needed separate lines. can't miss those incoming faxes! plan to change over to updox fax service soon.

Nice! Re: Updox. With the Mainpine board (PCIe) all incoming faxes converted either to tiff or PDF (obviously went with pdf), and routed to any folder. Canon does this as well. Xerox MFC can scan to folder but not incoming fax to folder, and this version cannot fax out even after purchasing a fax server to go with walk-up.

I think server 2016 is $400 now.

Trust me. I was in the same boat you were in. I still have a $650 Mainpine board in my old server. Couldn't use it in the new Hyper-V server, so it was either add fax server to Xerox, which can't fax to folder, set up a separate fax server at a cost of over $1,000 -- just not doing a basic 33+ modem or purchasing the Canon Fax. I have to admit it seems a little silly to have two MFCs sitting next to each other, but it is hard to argue with a fax server as well as copy, print, fax and scan capabilities with G3 fax. Sent one 250 pp document in less than 17 minutes (Sandeep can confirm). These offices that don't receive digitally have to be rather upset especially during the day.

with VM technology, I thought maybe server os is not necessary for AC. especially when many people have AC server on window 10 or other non-server OS. maybe i'm not given server OS the respect is still deserves. with VM, the whole computer back up is easier and we still have the AC backup that happens every night, so I didn't think about those issues with windows 8.1 OS.

You missed the P2P vs server/client wars of four to five years ago. And, I can't argue with cost if one already has a P2P. But, you are sitting there with possibly Server 2016. Having everyone connect to your computer which is not necessarily designed to run databases makes little sense when your server is designed to run days to months without a reboot (except for those updates). Then you have Veeam and Acronis and Macrium 3rd party backups designed to back up VMs and restore in minutes. Just to have ALL your data on your server with one backup, which is also backing up your backups has to give a lot of peace of mind. Sure, use the extra VM for AC only. You can play with the memory as well.


connection issues with everyone accessing it was my concern as well. now that you've emphasized that problem, maybe i'll scratch the idea of having AC VM on my personal workstation.

Completely agree

I already have the server essentials 2016 from my bro in law. so i'll likely do this:

1. server computer 1
a. hyper v server role with server essentials 2016, easier to use IMO.
b. VM of server essentials 2016 for DNS server, easier set up with essentials.
c. VM of server 2016 standard for AC server, does nothing but AC. if necessary, I can still move this around as needed.

2. fax server computer 2 with server 2016 standard (I believe we get 2 licenses with it).

Sounds good. Our biller is moving up to the front office. But, it she weren't (office 500 feet in the back, lol)giving her the Canon, which is 200 dollars cheaper than her HP would make tons of sense. And, you it's still cheaper. But, I know what you mean. I debated this with Sandeep for days. Wanted that dedicated fax server. But, think about it.

If you have major questions or help, ask Sandeep. I learned all this from him. He knows about 50 times as I do. And, he will know the licensing. Good luck.

Fax modem.

Just googled the mainpine board. Wow! Expensive. Don?t think my fax volume requires that. Wish I did though. ;-)

I do mean AC database. Want AC isolated on its own server without any other roles.

Incoming fax is going to a windows 8.1 machine right now. Windows fax and scan accepts it. I set it up to also copy into a folder on its desktop. I have a server folder that has a batch file to move the tiff files from fax computer into that server folder. We convert those over to pdf in batch. Review them and import them into AC.

Had second thoughts about updox. In updox, you still have to review them, search for patient to import, edit them, etc. the robust editing function was a plus, but that would mean I would have to sort faxes, which I don?t want to do. So it provided no real benefit besides the conversion part, which only takes 10 seconds to highlight and right click - convert to pdf. I?ll stick to current set up for now.

As of now, AC is in VM now. Old server is dns and fax server. Plan on moving dns server to vm next week. Will likely just put fax server on some older computer since it doesn?t take much to run. Or.... I may get lazy and just leave it as is now.

Thanks for all your responses Bert. Sorry for delay in my response. Crazy week.

Understood. But, have to give a shoutout to the Mainpine. That's what would make a server a real fax server. You could choose, ad you could with the Canon, to fax a pdf directly to the folder. No batch file. No changing them later. Converting to PDF seems like such a wasted step.

Sound good to go, though.