Scenario: Windows Server 2012 (R2) Essentials, Small Business Server 2011 Essentials and Storage Server 2008 R2 Essentials or Windows Home Server 2011 is used for file sharing, streaming and remote access. 

Intention: Run Windows Server 2012 (R2) Essentials, Small Business Server 2011 Essentials and Storage Server 2008 R2 Essentials or Windows Home Server 2011 with a fixed start and end time. 

Recommended Settings

• Create a calendar uptime with a start and end action. Use Suspend or Hibernation as end action.
• To stop the server at the end time, use force end action. Otherwise enable monitoring and set-up a standard action.
• Enable “automatic wake-up” on all clients (computers properties).
• Disable “client side suspend” on all clients (computer page tab, default).

Result 

Windows Server 2012 (R2) Essentials, Small Business Server 2011 Essentials and Storage Server 2008 R2 Essentials or Windows Home Server 2011 will wake-up at the configured start time and remain active until the end time. If your server wakes up outside the configured uptime you have to configured a standard action to disable the running server. This can be triggered by a scheduled backup.

How-tos and best practices