Windows Server 2012 Editions and Their Functionality .

                                                               

Windows Server 2012 Editions and Their Functionality

Windows Server 2012 comes with many editions. These editions allow organizations to select a version of Windows Server 2012 that best meets their needs, rather than pay for features they do not require.

When deploying a server for a specific role, systems administrators can save substantially by selecting the appropriate edition

The following table lists the Windows Server 2012 editions.

1. The Windows Server 2012 Standard operating system :

            Provides all roles and features available on the Windows Server 2012 platform. Supports up to 64 sockets and up to 4 terabytes (TB) of random access memory (RAM). Includes two virtual machine licenses.

2. The Windows Server 2012 Datacenter operating system :

            Provides all roles and features that are available on the Windows Server 2012 platform. Includes unlimited virtual machine licenses for virtual machines that are run on the same hardware. Supports 64 sockets, up to 640 processor cores, and up to 4 TB of RAM.

3. The Windows Server 2012 Foundation operating system :

            Designed for small business owners, allows only 15 users, cannot be joined to a domain, and includes limited server roles. Supports one processor core and up to 32 gigabytes (GB) of RAM.

4. The Windows Server 2012 Essentials operating system :

            Next edition of Small Business Server. Must be root server in domain. It cannot function as a Hyper-V®, Failover Clustering, Server Core, or Remote Desktop Services server. It has limits for 25 users and 50 devices. Supports two processor cores and 64 GB of RAM.

5. Microsoft Hyper-V Server 2012 :

            Stand-alone Hyper-V platform for virtual machines with no UI. No licensing cost (free) for host operating system, but virtual machines are licensed normally. Supports 64 sockets and 4 TB of RAM. Supports domain join. Does not support other Windows Server 2012 roles other than limited file services features.

6. The Windows Storage Server°2012 Workgroup operating system :

            Entry-level unified storage appliance. Limited to 50 users, one processor core, 32 GB of RAM. Supports domain join.

7. The Windows Storage Server 2012 Standard operating system:

            Supports 64 sockets, but is licensed on a two-socket incrementing basis. Supports 4 TB of RAM. Includes two virtual machine licenses.Supports domain join. Supports some roles including DNS and DHCP Server roles, but does not support others including Active Directory® Domain Services (AD DS), Active Directory Certificate Services (AD CS), and Active Directory Federation Services (AD FS).

8. The Windows MultiPoint Server 2012 Standard operating system:

            Supports multiple users accessing the same host computer directly using separate mouse, keyboard, and monitors. Limited to one socket, 32 GB of RAM, and a maximum of 12 sessions. Supports some roles including DNS and DHCP Server roles, but does not support others including AD DS, AD CS, and AD FS. Does not support domain join.

9. The Windows MultiPoint Server 2012 Premium operating system:

            Supports multiple users accessing the same host computer directly using separate mouse, keyboard, and monitors. Limited to two sockets, 4 TB of RAM, and a maximum of 22 sessions. Supports some roles including DNS and DHCP Server roles, but does not support others including AD DS, AD CS, and AD FS. Supports domain join.

  Understanding the 2012 server is very important for IT Administrator to secure network. Let start to learn 2012 server.