We now have official details and prices of Microsoft's Windows Server 2012 line-up, which is to be based on Windows 8 technology.
| Edition | Ideal For... | High Level Feature Comparison | Licensing Model | Pricing Open NL (US$) |
| Datacenter | Highly virtualized private & hybrid cloud environments | Full Windows Server functionality with unlimited virtual instances | Processor + CAL | $4,809 |
| Standard | Low density or non-virtualized environments | Full Windows Server functionality with two virtual instances | Processor + CAL | $882 |
| Essentials | Small business environments | Simpler Interface, pre-configured connectivity to cloud based services; no virtualization rights | Server (25 User Account Limit) | $425 |
| Foundation | Economical general purpose server | General purpose server functionality with no virtualization rights | Server (15 User Account Limit) | OEM Only |
Microsoft has significantly reduced its offering of what was close to a dozen different products in the 2008 range down to four options. For clarity, the Standard edition covers two CPUs in a host and has gone from one to two virtual instances, which is reflected in a subtle price rise. The Datacenter edition is completely identical to Standard, with a two CPU limit, only the number of virtual instances allowed is unlocked. Incidentally, this means that the following advanced Datacenter features are now also available in Standard:
- Windows Server Failover Clustering
- BranchCache Hosted Cache Server
- Active Directory Federated Services
- Additional Active Directory Certificate Services capabilities
- Distributed File Services (support for more that one DFS root)
- DFS-R Cross-File Replication
Essentials can run on a single system with up to two CPUs, however features a maximum user account limit of 25 and a device limit of 50. The software will be preconfigured for cloud services such as e-mail, backup and collaboration.
As some may have guessed, or feared, Microsoft will be scrapping both Small Business Server (SBS) and Windows Home Server (WHS) in favour of its simplified line-up. From Microsoft's point of view, Essentials is to be the replacement, with expectations that small firms will take up its cloud e-mail services. However, for those with software assurance, it's clear that there's a serious loss in functionality, with no Exchange server and no right to virtualize and so, those with agreements in place will instead receive an upgrade to Windows Server Standard 2012 with a Microsoft Exchange 2010 licence.
There are some who will not be pleased by the changes, yes, some small business users with certain operating requirements or who lack a decent internet connection, though also, a large group of Windows Server Home users, who aren't to be offered any clear upgrade path for their home systems.
