Missing authentication and secured connection is not a limited feature, that are absolut basics when it's about sending emails. It would be possible, and in this case it would be much smarter, to not implement email at all, by for example arguing rst is a desktop feature. But implementing something that is not usable in a real world scenario, let's me assume, there are complete idiots deciding at intel.
And i'm fairly sure about the idiots at intel, because i have decided to install server 2012 R2 essentials on that computer, which has a I218-V network controller and guess what? there's no driver for server OS! But when forced windows to install a I218-LM driver, the complete software package installs without problems. And i checked the .inf file, the installation is exactly the same for -V and -LM on win8.1 which afaik has the same architecture as server 2012 r2.
But perhaps intel needs a hardware raid controller to do basic networking, as it needs a hardware raid controller to send emails in a basic manner.
If you think you can force people to buy intel products this way, i have to tell you, that at least i, my friends, my customers and everybody who asks me, will avoid intel products wherever possible in future - congratulation.