Windows Server 2012 is currently available in four editions, also known as SKUs (an acronym for “stock keeping units”). As with the last server release—Server 2008 R2 all SKUs are available only in 64-bit; no 32-bit SKUs are available. Microsoft has done away with the Enterprise SKU of Server 2008 R2 in an attempt to streamline versioning and licensing. The four currently available editions are Windows Server 2012 Datacenter, Windows Server 2012 Standard, Windows Server 2012 Essentials, and Windows Server 2012 Foundation.Pricing for each edition can vary, of course, based on the number of servers as well as every user or device accessing the server directly or indirectly. Each user and device requires its own CAL (client access license).
Server 2012 Datacenter
The Datacenter edition is the beefiest offering of Server 2012 and is designed for enterprises. If your organization is heavily dependent on virtualization and cloud deployments, then the Datacenter edition is the best option.High availability is a key advantage with Datacenter because you can hot-add and hot-replace processors as well as hot-replace memory. “Hot” in this context refers to the ability to replace and add these components without needing to shut down the server.Datacenter supports an unlimited number of virtual machines (VMs) running on up to two processors. In addition, Datacenter supports unlimited network and remote access connections; the number of connections is limited only by available network bandwidth and any hardware constraints. This is the edition to go with if your network needs enterprise-class virtualization and high scalability, because you can quickly expand the server to meet the demands of an organization that adds lots of users and resources such as data and devices.Datacenter customers will typically purchase volume licenses. Volume licenses can also be purchased through Microsoft’s Software Assurance program. Licensing costs are based on the size of the business and number of PCs and devices that need to connect to the server. If your organization will use many virtual machines, needs a cloud-ready platform, and has hundreds of clients, your best option is the Datacenter edition.
Server 2012 Standard
The Standard edition of Server 2012 is suited for midsize organizations without heavy virtualization demands and those that run most business applications and systems on-site. Enterprise offers the same features as Datacenter, except you can run only up to two VMs on two processors.
Server 2012 Essentials
Server 2012 Essentials is the server edition suited for smaller organizations (fewer than 25 PCs, devices, and/or end users). This edition does not offer Hyper-V, provides a limited-application server role, and offers no Windows Server Update Services (WSUS).
Essentials can run on a server with up to two processors.
Server 2012 Foundation
Foundation is a small-business edition that comes preinstalled only on servers targeted for the SMB (small to midsize business) market. It’s ideal for small businesses with no more than 15 users. Foundation does not include Hyper-V or Windows Server Update Services. It has partial or limited file services, network policy and access services, and limited remote desktop services. If your organization has existing server licenses and CALs in place for legacy Windows Server, some of that licensing may be honored and applied to a Windows Server 2012 upgrade. Consult Microsoft’s Windows Server 2012 licensing FAQ to determine which licensing model your organization should go with.
Server 2012 Datacenter
The Datacenter edition is the beefiest offering of Server 2012 and is designed for enterprises. If your organization is heavily dependent on virtualization and cloud deployments, then the Datacenter edition is the best option.High availability is a key advantage with Datacenter because you can hot-add and hot-replace processors as well as hot-replace memory. “Hot” in this context refers to the ability to replace and add these components without needing to shut down the server.Datacenter supports an unlimited number of virtual machines (VMs) running on up to two processors. In addition, Datacenter supports unlimited network and remote access connections; the number of connections is limited only by available network bandwidth and any hardware constraints. This is the edition to go with if your network needs enterprise-class virtualization and high scalability, because you can quickly expand the server to meet the demands of an organization that adds lots of users and resources such as data and devices.Datacenter customers will typically purchase volume licenses. Volume licenses can also be purchased through Microsoft’s Software Assurance program. Licensing costs are based on the size of the business and number of PCs and devices that need to connect to the server. If your organization will use many virtual machines, needs a cloud-ready platform, and has hundreds of clients, your best option is the Datacenter edition.
Server 2012 Standard
The Standard edition of Server 2012 is suited for midsize organizations without heavy virtualization demands and those that run most business applications and systems on-site. Enterprise offers the same features as Datacenter, except you can run only up to two VMs on two processors.
Server 2012 Essentials
Server 2012 Essentials is the server edition suited for smaller organizations (fewer than 25 PCs, devices, and/or end users). This edition does not offer Hyper-V, provides a limited-application server role, and offers no Windows Server Update Services (WSUS).
Essentials can run on a server with up to two processors.
Server 2012 Foundation
Foundation is a small-business edition that comes preinstalled only on servers targeted for the SMB (small to midsize business) market. It’s ideal for small businesses with no more than 15 users. Foundation does not include Hyper-V or Windows Server Update Services. It has partial or limited file services, network policy and access services, and limited remote desktop services. If your organization has existing server licenses and CALs in place for legacy Windows Server, some of that licensing may be honored and applied to a Windows Server 2012 upgrade. Consult Microsoft’s Windows Server 2012 licensing FAQ to determine which licensing model your organization should go with.
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