Windows Server 2012 for Embedded Systems

Windows Embedded Server is binary identical to Windows Server. Windows Server 2012 for embedded systems offers a proven, robust, highly available and reliable operating system for OEMs for embedded applications in server appliances in a wide variety of industries where long term product availability is essential, particularly in Intelligent Systems architectures. It helps increase hardware utilization, optimize data storage efficiency with scale and performance advantages. You can build server appliances that run Microsoft SQL Server 2012 for embedded systems databases for enhanced business intelligence, interoperate with client computers and connect to the cloud.

Self-Training

Microsoft is providing a Microsoft Virtual Academy training that gives you understanding of how Windows Server 2012 takes you beyond virtualization, delivers the power of many servers, opens the door to every app on any cloud, and enables the modern workstyle.

Key Licensing Changes

  • Per processor licensing model; not licensed per “server” or per “device”
  • For Standard > Minimum license covers up to 2 CPUs and 2 VMs
  • For Datacenter > Minimum license covers up to 2 CPUs and unlimited VMs
  • Edition differentiation is by number of licensed processors CPUs or virtual instances VMs (not software)

 

Edition 2-Processor License Products 4-Processor License Products
Windows Server 2012 – Datacenter 2 CPU / unlimited VMs
(CALs required but not included)
2 CPU / unlimited VMs + 5 CALs
2 CPU / unlimited VMs + 10 CALs
4CPU / unlimited VMs 
(CALs required but not included)
4 CPU / unlimited VMs + 5 CALs
4 CPU / unlimited VMs + 10 CALs
Windows Server 2012 – Standard 2 CPU / 2 VM 
(CALs required but not included) 
2 CPU / 2 VM + 5 CALs 
2 CPU / 2 VM + 10 CALs
4CPU / 4 VM 
(CALs required but not included) 
4 CPU / 4 VM + 5 CALs 
4 CPU / 4 VM + 10 CALs
Windows Server 2012 – Essentials 2 CPU / 2 VM
(No CALs required)
4 CPU / 4 VM
(No CALs required)
Windows Server 2012 – Telecommunications 2 CPU / 2 VM
(No CALs required)
4 CPU / 4 VM
(No CALs required)

Quick Comparison to Windows Server 2008 R2 for Embedded Systems

 

Windows Server 2008 R2      Windows Server 2012 Windows Server 2012
Edition Standard Enterprise   Standard Datacenter
Licensing Model Server + CALs Server + CALs Processor CPU + CALs Processor CPU + CALs
Failover No Yes Yes Yes
Virtualization Yes (2 VM) Yes (4 VM) Yes; Product offerings with 2 VM or 4 VM Licenses available Yes; Product offerings withunlimited VMs
Processor Limit per License Up to 4 CPUs Up to 8 CPUs Product offerings with up to 2 CPUs or up to 4 CPUs Product offerings with up to 2 CPUs or up to 4 CPUs

New for Windows Server 2012 for Embedded Systems

  • No Enterprise edition
  • Standard edition includes:
    • unlimited processor support and unlimited x64 RAM support
    • Failover clustering