Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R2 Editions Datacenter and Standard at Wiresoft
Both the edition Standard as well as the Edition Datacenter for Windows Server 2012 R2 are available from Wiresoft. They differ mainly in the different levels of virtualization they offer users; they are the same in terms of the features that version 2012 R2 offers as such.
The Windows Server 2012 R2 Standard Edition is primarily designed for customers who either do not use virtualization at all, or only run a few virtual machines.
The Windows Server 2012 R2 Datacenter Edition, on the other hand, contains all the necessary functions for a virtualized private cloud environment. This makes it possible to run any number of virtual machines in the Hyper-V role on the Windows server in use.
Server 2012 - The most important new features of Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R2 at a glance
The new server operating system Windows Server 2012 Standard R2 offers numerous improvements and functions in the areas of networking, storage and management, and especially in virtualization, web and application platforms; in addition to improved access and information protection - including a virtual desktop infrastructure.
The proven server feature IP Address Management (IPAM) also supports virtual environments in Windows Server 2012 R2 and works even more efficiently with System Center 2012 R2.
With Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R2, you get a reliable, efficient server system with many optimizations and new features and programs:
- Modern user interface, optimized for touchscreens
- Microsoft Windows Azure for backup in the Azure cloud
- PowerShell 3.0 for effective management of system settings
- New task manager offers more performance through optimized processes
- IIS (Internet Information Service 8.0) with Extended Validation certificate management
- SMB 3.0 allows even faster and better access to file shares
The following features of the Windows Server 2012 R2 version are explained in detail:
Server 2012 - Higher virtualization level with Hyper-V
Windows Server 2012 R2 is even more cloud-oriented than its predecessors. The most important and also most of the innovations that Windows Server 2012 R2 offers compared to the previous version are included in Hyper-V. In particular, the access to virtual servers based on RDP has been improved, so that the efficiency of VM Connect has been significantly optimized. Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) sessions run in Windows Server 2012 R2 via the host, so a direct RDP connection to the virtual server is no longer necessary. A virtual server can thus be activated automatically and faster and thus work even more efficiently.
Another important innovation for System Center Virtual Machine Manager 2012 R2 is the support of Windows Server 2012 R2 and Hyper-V Server 2012 R2. Both systems can be operated in parallel in the System Center Virtual Machine Manager 2012 R2 and thus virtual servers can be moved between network and cloud. Thus, a server can be backed up to the cloud via the Windows Azure online backup, while Hyper-V works together with Windows Azure virtual machines.
Hyper-V works closely with the new Hyper-V Recovery Manager. This now enables cloud-based replication or backup of virtual servers based on Hyper-V (Hyper-V replica) or Windows Azure virtual machines: it also allows replication to a third host compared to Windows Server 2012 with only two hosts.
Server 2012 - VMs Generation 2
The Windows Server 2012 R2 version of virtual machines - also known as VMs Generation 2 by Microsoft - supports the new UEFI BIOS standard and the integrated Secure Boot function. And with the Storage Quality of Service function, administrators can now also control the data throughput for virtual servers in addition to network bandwidth.
Also the support for Linux as virtual server has been improved, so that Dynamic Memory can be used in Linux clients.
With VM Connect, you can now copy and move files using drag and drop. Virtual hard disks (VHDX) in Windows Server 2012 R2 can be enlarged or reduced while running; virtual servers can also share a virtual hard disk.
Likewise, moving and copying virtual servers between Hyper-V hosts with Live Migration is possible during operation at a significantly higher speed. This feature has also been optimized in Windows Server 2012 R2 for 10 Gigabit/s networks and offers with Remote Direct Memory Access (RDMA) the possibility to move memory data very quickly between the hosts, it also supports their efficient compression.
Server 2012 - Work Folders in Windows Server 2012 R2 with Windows 8.1
Windows Server 2012 R2 naturally works with Windows 8.1. This makes it possible with the Work Folders to work together with Windows Server 2012 R2 and exchange data via the cloud. The transfer to the Work Folders is encrypted to protect sensitive data from unauthorized access by third parties.
Server 2012 - Data deduplication on virtual hard disks
With Windows Server 2012 R2, data deduplication not only allows duplicate files to be found and eliminated on file servers, but also on virtual hard disks. This can save a lot of space on Hyper-V hosts.
Server 2012 - SSD and SATA disks are combined into Storage Spaces
Windows Server 2012 R2 storage pools allow traditional hard drives and SSDs to be connected and shared, significantly accelerating file server performance. The server analyses the stored data and places the more frequently used data on the faster storage media.
Server 2012 - Improved data management and access control
In Microsoft Server 2012 R2 the file system NTFS has been supplemented by the new ReFS (Resilient File System). It was developed exclusively for the storage of data on servers to maximize data availability, effectively scale large data sets and at the same time ensure data integrity through resilience against damage.
Dynamic Access Control regulates access to data with the help of metadata. The new feature complements Active Directory security lines and protects data by preventing unauthorized access while moving it.
Server 2012 - System requirements for Windows Server 2012 R2
The following minimum requirements are necessary for the secure and trouble-free operation of Windows Server 2012 R2. Actual requirements also depend on the system configuration and other installed applications:
Platform: Windows
Processor: min. 1.4 GHz processor with 64 bit
RAM: at least 512 MB
Hard disk space: at least 32 GB
Server 2012 - The licensing model for Windows Server 2012 R2
Windows Server 2012 R2 licensing is calculated based on the number of processors on the physical server where the operating system is deployed, including virtual. A single license always covers 2 physical processors. It is licensed per physical virtualization host. Each license for the Windows Server 2012 R2 editions Datacenter and Standard is only available as 2-processor package, one license covers 2 processors on one server.
It is therefore not possible to split licenses on multiple servers, nor is it allowed to assign a license to a virtual machine. The previous licensing model per processor is only valid until Windows Server 2012 R2. Licenses for each higher version are now calculated on a core-based model. The two Windows Server 2012 R2 editions Standard and Datacenter differ in virtualization rights as follows:
Licensing of Windows Server 2012 R2 Standard Edition
One Standard Edition license includes virtualization rights for 2 virtual machines. This corresponds to the usual needs of smaller companies in particular, which require either no virtualization at all or only little virtualization. The number of rights can be increased by purchasing additional Standard Editions. For example, with three Server 2012 R2 Standard Editions you can correctly license a server with 2 processors and 6 virtual machines (VMs).
Licensing of Windows Server 2012 R2 Datacenter Edition
With the Datacenter Edition, this restriction does not apply to 2 VMs. Consequently, with the purchase of a Datacenter Edition, theoretically an unlimited number of virtual machines can run on the licensed server, practically depending on the performance of the hardware used. It is therefore the right solution for companies and organizations that run a high degree of virtualization or use a hybrid cloud environment.
Which edition of Windows Server 2012 R2 is best suited in each individual case depends - to put it simply - on the number of virtual servers that a user wants to operate.
In addition to the server license for the two editions Standard and Datacenter, users also need CALs (client access licenses) - user-based or device-based - which you can also obtain at Wiresoft at a reasonable price.
Buy Windows Server 2012 R2 editions cheap at Wiresoft
The Windows Server 2012 R2 Editions Standard and Datacenter you can get cheaply at Wiresoft. Depending on whether you want to supplement your Windows Server 2012 R2 licenses or license your servers with one of the two editions, Wiresoft offers you unused licenses from European companies, which are purchased legally - at an unbeatable price!
When purchasing Windows Server 2012 R2 licenses from Wiresoft, you will only receive original licenses that have been thoroughly checked by Wiresoft for authenticity and perfect functionality. Many satisfied Wiresoft customers confirm the price advantage with Wiresoft Microsoft licenses. Please contact us if you have any questions about your licensing needs for the Windows Server Editions 2012 R2 Standard and Datacenter: