Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
Deciding Which Windows Server 2012 R2
Versions to Use
You may be wondering which version of Windows Server 2012 R2 is best for your organi-
zation. After all, Microsoft offers the following four versions of Windows Server 2012 R2.
Windows Server 2012 R2 Datacenter
This version is designed for organizations that are
looking to migrate to a highly virtualized, private cloud environment. Windows Server 2012
R2 Datacenter has full Windows Server functionality with unlimited virtual instances.
Windows Server 2012 R2 Standard
This version is designed for organizations with physi-
cal or minimally virtualized environments. Windows Server 2012 R2 Standard has full
Windows Server functionality with two virtual instances.
Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials
This version is ideal for small businesses that have as
many as 25 users and 50 devices. Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials has a simpler interface
and preconfigured connectivity to cloud-based services but no virtualization rights.
Windows Server 2012 R2 Foundation
This version is designed for smaller companies that
need a Windows Server experience for as few as 15 users. Windows Server 2012 R2 Founda-
tion is a general-purpose server with basic functionality but no virtualization rights.
Once you choose what roles are going on your server, you must then decide how you're
going to install Windows Server 2012 R2. There are two ways to install Windows Server 2012
R2. You can upgrade a Windows Server 2008 R2 with SP1 or Windows Server 2012 machine
to Windows Server 2012 R2, or you can do a clean install of Windows Server 2012 R2. If you
decide that you are going to upgrade, there are specific upgrade paths you must follow.
Your choice of Windows Server 2012 R2 version is dictated by how your current
network is designed. If you are building a network from scratch, then it's pretty
straightforward. Just choose the Windows Server 2012 R2 version based on your server's
tasks. However, if you already have a version of Windows Server 2008 installed, you
should follow the recommendations in Table 1.2, which briefly summarize the supported
upgrade paths to Windows Server 2012 R2.
If your version of Microsoft Windows Server is not listed in the left column,
upgrading to Windows Server 2012 R2 is not supported. If there is more
than one edition listed in the right column, you can then choose either
edition.
Table 1.2
Supported Windows Server 2012 R2 upgrade path recommendations
Current System
Upgraded System
Windows Server 2008 R2 Datacenter with SP1
Windows Server 2012 R2 Datacenter
Windows Server 2008 R2 Enterprise with SP1
Windows Server 2012 R2 Standard or Win-
dows Server 2012 R2 Datacenter
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