Licensing Overview
Windows Server 2012 delivers a dramatically simplified licensing experience. Shaped by feedback from customers and partners, the new Windows Server licensing approach will help make choosing the right Windows Server easier while delivering the following benefits.
Simple
It’s easier than ever to determine the right Windows Server edition for you. Choose from just four editions of Windows Server 2012, based on the size of your organization and your requirements for virtualization and cloud computing.
Economical
All editions of Windows Server 2012 deliver excellent economics and ROI for your business. For example, Datacenter edition with unlimited virtualization rights provides the benefits of cloud-level scale with predictable, lower costs. Standard edition now offers all of the same enterprise-class features as Datacenter and is differentiated only by virtualization rights.
Cloud-optimized
Businesses today are rapidly adopting a hybrid approach across private and public cloud computing. Windows Server 2012 offers the right edition for you, no matter where you are on your path to the cloud; Datacenter edition for highly virtualized cloud environments, Standard edition for lightly virtualized environments progressing toward cloud, or Essentials edition for an ideal cloud-connected first server.
Editions Overview
| Edition | Ideal for… | High Level Feature Comparison |
Licensing Model | Pricing |
| 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 Limit) | $425** |
| Foundation | Economical general purpose server | General purpose server functionality with no virtualization rights | Server (15 User Limit) | OEM Only |
*CALs are required for every user or device accessing a server directly or indirectly. See the Product Use Rights for details.
**Pricing represents Open No Level (NL) ERP. For your specific pricing, contact your Microsoft reseller.