Windows 2012 Server, Standard vs Datacenter Edition, in terms of Virtualization

So, we want here to run Virtual Images of Windows 2012 Server over EXSI (I have explained this earlier here: http://anilsachdevaa.blogspot.com/2016/01/difference-between-vsphere-esxi-and.html)

So what we will choose a) Windows 2012 Server Standard Edition or Windows 2012 Server Datacenter Edition.

OK, first of all let’s have a look on Windows 2012 Server flavors.

The editions of Server 2012 fall into three groups.

a)      Main editions, Standard and Datacenter. These are the licenses which most of the companies and business purchase.

b)      Low-end editions for small businesses, Essentials and Foundation.

c)       Specialist editions - Storage Server and Hyper-V Server.

Our discussion is limited to Standard and Datacenter editions only.

Understanding Standard and Datacenter Edition:

First and important point to note here is that Standard and Datacenter Editions are fully featured pack editions. Other may not have some exclusive features.

Windows Server 2012 Standard and Datacenter are technically identical – there is absolutely no difference between them with regard technical capabilities.

So what is the difference we are talking about? The difference is only in terms of virtualization. Means how many images of Windows you can run.

Before going into much detail, let’s see how these are licensed?

1)      The first point to understand is that Standard and Datacenter require both server and client access licensing. The server license covers the server installation, while CALs (Client Access Licenses) are needed for each user or device which accesses the server. If 10 devices are connected to the Server, we need 10 CALs. I use thin clients to connect to my Server. So If I am using 10 thin clients, I need 10 CALs (will be more clarified with a picture later)

2)      The second point is that Standard and Datacenter are licensed per processor. A "processor" in this context is a physical CPU, irrespective of how many cores it has. Both Standard and Datacenter editions cover up to two processors, if you have more processors, you apply further licenses, so for example a four processor box would require two Standard or two Datacenter licenses. Confused???

OK, say I am using a machine Dell R730 to install my Virtual Images (means R730 is my EXSI Sever). This server comes with 2 Processors. So either I am using Windows 2012 Standard or Datacenter edition, I will need 2 licenses because there are two processors. Makes sense now.

Of course, both of them have different prices. The only difference is that by using Windows 2012 Server standard edition, you can run only 2 images of Windows under Virtual System and by using Windows 2012 Server Datacenter edition, you have flexibility to run unlimited images.

Consider the image below:

The box in the middle is an EXSI Server which is running 8 virtual images of Windows 2012 Server.

1.       So how many licenses are needed in each case (Windows 2012 Server Standard or Datacenter)?

2.       How many CALs are needed?

Let’s get the reply of second question first. It is very clear that 8 devices are accessing the Server, so 8 CALs are necessary. Generally CALs are licenses with a group of 5 which is called a CAL Pack. So in this case 2 CAL Packs will be necessary which will support up to 10 devices.

Now the first question: Assume that the Box is with the two processors.

If we are using a Windows 2012 Server Standard edition, 4 licenses will be required as once license will allow only 2 virtual images.

If we are using Windows 2012 Server Datacenter edition, only one license will be required as it allows us to run unlimited virtual images.

Now if the box has supplied with 4 Processor, how many you will need in each case? Decide yourself now..

Note:

These all technical articles are dedicated to my teachers, my seniors, colleagues, internet bloggers, online technical material, reference books from where I learned all these. If anything is replicated anywhere, proper credits are understood to be given.