Windows Server 2012 standard

Features

1. Server Virtualization: With Hyper-V in Windows Server 2012, you can create and manage a virtualized server environment, allowing for efficient use of hardware resources and reducing costs.
2. Storage Spaces: This feature enables you to pool physical storage into virtualized storage pools, providing flexibility and high availability.
3. Dynamic Access Control: Enhances security by allowing you to control access to files based on user claims and device claims.
4. Server Manager: A powerful tool that simplifies server management and deployment tasks, making it easier to manage multiple servers from a single interface.
5. Remote Desktop Services: Provides a rich, multi-user desktop experience with improved VDI capabilities.
6. Resilient File System (ReFS): Designed to maximize data availability, scale efficiently to large data sets across diverse workloads, and provide data integrity.
7. DirectAccess: Allows remote users to securely access the corporate network without needing a VPN.
8. Failover Clustering: Improves the availability and scalability of applications and services, providing high availability and disaster recovery solutions.

Comparison with Other Versions

Windows Server 2012 Standard vs. Windows Server 2012 Datacenter:

• Licensing: The Standard edition allows for two virtual instances, whereas the Datacenter edition offers unlimited virtualization rights.
• Cost: The Standard edition is more cost-effective, making it ideal for smaller organizations or those with limited budgets.
• Scalability: Datacenter edition is designed for highly virtualized environments, whereas the Standard edition is suitable for physical or minimally virtualized environments.

Windows Server 2012 Standard vs. Windows Server 2016 Standard:

• New Features: Windows Server 2016 introduces features like Nano Server, Windows Containers, and enhanced security features, which are not available in Windows Server 2012.
• Performance Improvements: Server 2016 offers improved performance and additional features for modern workloads and hybrid cloud environments.
• Support: Windows Server 2016 has extended support timelines compared to Windows Server 2012, which is approaching the end of its support lifecycle.

System Requirements

• Processor: Minimum 1.4 GHz 64-bit processor
• RAM: Minimum 512 MB (2 GB for Server with Desktop Experience installation)
• Disk Space: At least 32 GB
• Network: Gigabit (10/100/1000baseT) Ethernet adapter
• Other: DVD drive (if installing from media), Super VGA (800×600) or higher-resolution monitor