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Archived Report
Microsoft
Windows Server 2012 R2
Copyright 2017, Faulkner Information Services. All Rights Reserved.
Docid: 00021348
Publication Date: 1705
Report Type: PRODUCT
Preview
Windows Server 2012 R2 is Microsoft’s server operating system. It is an elastic server platform to help build and deploy applications and Web sites. This report takes a look at the key features and capabilities of Windows Server 2012 R2, the support options that Microsoft offers, and Windows Server’s main competitors in the marketplace.
Report Contents:
- Description
- Related Faulkner Reports
- Vendor
- Applications
- Environment
- Support
- Pricing
- Competitors
- Web Links
Description
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Microsoft offers its Windows Server 2012 R2, the latest version of its server
operating system, as an open, scalable, and elastic Web and application
platform. It is a multi-tenant architecture to enable companies to scale and
secure workloads and build private clouds. Windows Server is designed for
enterprises, small- or medium-sized businesses, and hosting providers.
Related Faulkner Reports |
Microsoft Company |
Microsoft has designed Windows Server 2012 R2 with the intention to provide
flexible storage, continuous availability, and management efficiency. It
provides:
Vendor |
Name: Microsoft |
- Server Virtualization – A VHDX virtual hard disk format with
larger disk capacity of up to 64 TB, and resiliency and alignment
optimization. - Storage – Improvements in provisioning, accessing, and managing storage
and data transfer across the network. - Networking – Automatic rerouting around storage, server, and network
failures allows file services to remain online to minimize downtime. - Server Management and Automation – Automation and management of all servers and
devices, whether physical, virtual, on-premises, or in the cloud. - Web and Application Platform – Adds applications for building a hybrid
environment. - Information Protection – New remote access options,
improvements to Active Directory and Active Directory Federation Services,
and policy-based audits to address information security issues and protect
data from any location and any device. - Virtual Desktop Infrastructure – Accommodations for mobile devices with virtual
desktop resources.
The capabilities and features for Windows Server 2012 R2 are outlined in the
table below.
Capabilities | Features |
---|---|
Server Virtualization |
Windows Server 2012 R2 is equipped with Hyper-V to expand the support for host processors and memory to support up to 64 processors and 1 terabyte of memory.
|
Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) |
VDI technologies within Windows Server 2012 R2 offer the following:
|
Networking |
New features and tools within Windows Server allow for the automation of networking processes and easier connections to private clouds and IT resources.
|
Information Protection |
Microsoft utilizes information and access management capabilities to secure access to data across both on-premises and cloud-based applications. The vendor’s Azure Rights Management services uses encryption, identity, and authorization policies to secure files and email, and it works across multiple devices. |
Storage | For storage purposes, Windows Server 2012 R2 offers:
|
Server Management and Automation | Windows Server 2012 R2 can manage a large number of servers, both virtual and physical. Server Manager – Provides access to and management of multiple servers Windows PowerShell 3.0 – Automates tasks and manages server roles. |
Web and Application Platform | The Web Server (Internet Information Services or IIS) in Windows Server 2012 R2 offers a modular and extensible platform for hosting Web sites, services, and applications. Administrators can use IIS to set up and manage multiple Web sites, Web applications, and FTP (File Transfer Protocol) sites and employ the following features:
|
Windows Server 2012
R2 Versions
Windows Server 2012 R2 is available in the
following versions:
- Datacenter – Designed for highly
virtualized data center and cloud environments. - Standard – Marketed towards
low density or non-virtualized environments. - Essentials – Targeted at
small businesses that have servers with up to two processors and a limit of
25 users. - Foundation – A general purpose server with a single processor.
Applications
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Windows Server offers the tools for small, mid-sized, and
enterprise businesses to transition to hosted or hybrid environments. This
application and Web platform consists of thousands of applications that are
already built and deployed. Windows Server 2012 R2 has been utilized by various
organizations in a number of different industries including: architecture,
engineering, and construction; accounting and consulting; government;
outsourcing services; banking; retail; IT services; oil and gas; and
banking.
Environment
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Table 2 lists the Windows Server 2012 R2 and Windows Server 2016 Technical
Preview operating requirements.
Windows Server 2012 R2
|
Windows Server 2016 Technical Preview |
|
---|---|---|
Support | Description | Description |
Processor |
|
|
Memory |
|
|
Disk Space |
|
|
Other | Gigabit (10/100/1000baseT) Ethernet adapter and DVD drive |
N/A |
Support
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Microsoft offers a variety of support options for its Windows
Server. Users can take advantage of self-support options including a
knowledgebase, Webcasts, articles, videos, blogs, and community forums. An online
center is available for developers. In addition, Microsoft has phone, chat,
and email support for issues that arise with Windows Server. Contract incident
support is available for a fee. Users may also purchase a subscription to
Microsoft Premier Online for 24×7 support from a dedicated team of
specialists.
Pricing
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A client access license (CAL) is a license entitling a client to
access a server. Additional CALs can be purchased at various rates.
Windows Server 2012 R2 is available in four editions. Interested
parties can select the version that best fits with its needs and cloud computing
requirements. Licensing
for Windows Server 2012 R2 is described in the table below.
Model | Product | Value |
---|---|---|
Datacenter Edition | Full Windows Server functionality with unlimited virtual instances. Processor + CAL. |
$6,155 |
Standard Edition | Full Windows Server functionality with two virtual instances. Processor + CAL. |
$882 |
Essentials Edition | Basic interface, pre-configured connectivity to cloud based services; no virtualization rights. Server (25 user account limit). |
$501 |
Foundation |
General purpose server functionality with no virtualization rights. |
OEM only |
Competitors
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The main competitors for Windows Server 2012 R2 include:
-
Hewlett-Packard Enterprise Servers
-
IBM Power Systems Servers
-
Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server
Web Links
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- Hewlett-Packard Enterprise: https://www.hpe.com/
- IBM: https://www.ibm.com/
- Microsoft: https://www.microsoft.com/
- Red Hat: https://www.redhat.com/
About the Author
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Karen M. Spring is a staff editor for Faulkner Information Services,
tracking high-tech industries, including network security, ERP, CRM, network
management, Internet security, and software tools. She writes regularly on
high-tech topics for publications in the k-12 and higher education industry.
Previously, Ms. Spring was a marketing specialist for two computer distributors,
working closely with such clients as 3Com, IBM, Okidata, Unisys, and Acer.
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