Server 2012 R2 Data Center CD , 64 Bit OEM (2 CPU) DVD Version Online Activation Guarantee

Server 2012 R2 Data Center CD , 64 Bit OEM (2 CPU) DVD Version Online Activation Guarantee

The prices of Windows Server 2012 R2 Datacenter

dard & Datacenter editions [Image credit: Microsoft]

As usual, I am not answering any questions about licensing. That’s the job of your reseller or distributor, so ask them.

Microsoft released the updating licensing details for WS2012 R2 several weeks ago. Remember that once released, you will be buying WS2012 R2, even if you plan to downgrade to W2008 R2. In this post, I’m going to cover the licensing for “core” editions of Windows Server.

The Core Editions

There aren’t any huge changes to the “core” editions of Windows Server (Datacenter and Standard). As with WS2012, the two editions are identical technically, having the same scalability and features … except one.

Processors

Both the Standard and Datacenter edition cover a licensed server for 2 processors. Processors are CPUs or sockets. Cores are not processors. A server with 2 Intel Xeon E5 processors with 10 cores each has 2 processors. It requires one Window Server license. A server with 4 * 16 core AMD processors has 4 processors. It needs 2 Windows Server licenses.

This applies no matter what downgraded version you plan to install.

Do more with less?

The HPE and Microsoft partnership extends Windows Server 2012 features with the release of Windows Server 2012 R2. Combining the HP ProLiant Gen9 features with the advanced virtualization and scalability features of Windows Server 2012 R2 empowers IT users and provides flexible access to corporate resources while protecting corporate information.

What's new

Server Virtualization - Supports 64 TB virtual disk format with online resize capability and compression to accelerate live migration of VHD/VHDX files

Storage - Gives you the ability to transfer large scale file systems between multiple nodes within a cluster, and Windows Azure Hyper-V recovery manager ensures robust recovery using Hyper-V replica

Network - Introduces Software Defined networking via Hyper-V network virtualization and Hyper-V extensible switch, and enables SR-IOV capable devices to be directly accessed by the VMs

Features

Go Beyond Virtualization

Windows Server 2012 R2 is a complete virtualization platform that delivers a fully isolated, multi-tenant environment. It includes tools to help guarantee service-level agreements (SLAs), enables chargebacks through use-based billing, and supports self-service delivery.

Increase scalability and performance through a high-density, scalable environment that can perform optimally as it adapts to your changing needs.

Get connectivity to cloud services using a common identity and management framework for reliable security-enhanced, cross-premises connectivity.

Enjoy the Power of Many Servers With the Simplicity of One Platform

Flexible storage. Improve performance, availability, and resource efficiency with the storage of your choice.

Continuous availability. Provide cost-effective, highly available services with protection against a wide range of failure scenarios -- for a single server or an entire data center.

Management efficiency. Automate a broad set of management tasks and simplify the deployment of server roles as you move toward full, lights-out automation.

Benefit From a Platform With Apps Already Built and Deployed

Windows Server 2012 R2 enables you to build hybrid and symmetrical applications across the data center and the cloud.

Provides frameworks, services, and tools to increase scalability and elasticity for applications and websites that are multi-tenant aware.

Build mission-critical applications and take advantage of open frameworks, open source applications, and various development languages.

Flexible User Access to Data and Applications

Access from virtually anywhere, from any device. Seamless, on-demand access to a virtualized work environment from virtually anywhere, including branch locations and public connectivity services.

Full Windows experience anywhere. A rich, personalized user experience on popular devices, while adapting to different network conditions quickly and responsively.

Enhanced data security and compliance. Central audit and access policies enable granular access to data and corporate resources based on strong identity, data classification, and simplified administration for remote access.