What is the difference between Windows Server 2012 and 2012 R2?

When it comes to the user interface, there’s little difference between Windows Server 2012 R2 and its predecessor. The real changes are under the surface, with significant enhancements to Hyper-V, Storage Spaces and to Active Directory. Windows Server 2012 R2 is configured, like Server 2012, via Server Manager.

Is Windows Server 2008 R2 still supported by Microsoft?

Extended support for Windows Server 2008 and Windows Server 2008 R2 ended on January 14, 2020, and extended support for Windows Server 2012 and Windows Server 2012 R2 will be ending on October 10, 2023. Migrate existing Windows Server 2008 and 2008 R2 workloads as-is to Azure Virtual Machines (VMs).

Is Windows Server 2012 R2 still supported?

Windows Server 2012, and 2012 R2 End of Extended support is approaching per the Lifecycle Policy: Windows Server 2012 and 2012 R2 Extended Support will end on October 10, 2023. Customers are upgrading to the latest release of Windows Server and applying the latest innovation to modernize their IT environment.

What are the new features available in Windows Server 2012 & 2012 R2?

What’s New for Windows Server 2012

  • Windows Clustering. Windows Clustering allows you to manage both network load-balanced clusters as well as failover clusters.
  • User Access Logging. New!
  • Windows Remote Management.
  • Windows Management Infrastructure.
  • Data Deduplication.
  • iSCSI Target Server.
  • NFS Provider for WMI.
  • Offline Files.

What is Windows Server 2012 R2 used for?

With the Windows Server Essentials Experience role, you can take advantage of Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials features such as simplified management using the server dashboard, data protection, Remote Web Access, and integration with Microsoft online services—all without enforcement of the Windows Server 2012 R2 …

Is Server 2012 R2 free?

Windows Server 2012 R2 offers four paid editions (ordered by price from low to high): Foundation (OEM only), Essentials, Standard, and Datacenter. Standard and Datacenter editions offer Hyper-V while Foundation and Essentials editions don’t. The completely free Microsoft Hyper-V Server 2012 R2 also includes Hyper-V.

Is Windows 2008 R2 end of life?

On January 14, 2020, support for Windows Server 2008 and 2008 R2 came to an end. End of support or end of life refers to the date when Microsoft no longer provides automatic fixes, security updates, or online technical assistance.

What is Windows Server 2008 R2 used for?

Application services—Windows Server 2008 R2 provides the basis for the installation of business applications such as Microsoft Exchange, Microsoft Office SharePoint Services, SQL Server, and so on.

How long will Windows Server 2012 be supported?

Support Dates

Listing Start Date Extended End Date
Windows Server 2012 R2 Nov 25, 2013 Oct 10, 2023

Is Windows Server 2012 R2 cloud based?

Windows Server 2012 is a cloud-optimized OS, which means that developers can deliver much better cloud computing solutions with much less effort. System Center 2012 already delivers great cloud computing solutions using Windows Sever 2008/R2.

What kind of software is needed for SharePoint 2013?

The SharePoint 2013 prerequisite installer (prerequisiteinstaller.exe) installs the following software, if it has not already been installed on the target server, in this order: Microsoft .NET Framework version 4.5. Windows Management Framework 3.0. Application Server Role, Web Server (IIS) Role. Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 SP1 Native Client

Do you need Active Directory for SharePoint 2013?

SharePoint 2013 requires a minimum Active Directory domain and forest functional level of Windows Server 2003 (native). For more information about Active Directory functional levels, see Forest and Domain Functional Levels.

What are the installation scenarios for SharePoint 2013?

SharePoint 2013 provides for several installation scenarios. Currently, these installations include single server with built-in database installations, single-server farm installations, and multiple-server farm installations.

Is it possible to upgrade Windows Server from 2008 to 2012?

In general scenarios, yes it’s possible to upgrade the windows server from 2008 to 2012 in-place But it’s heavily recommended to do not do that on the production servers.