Windows Server 2012 R2 is the latest version of Microsoft’s enterprise-class cloud and datacenter platform. It offers a wide range of new and enhanced features and capabilities that can help you build, deploy, and scale applications and websites quickly, and manage your servers and networks efficiently. In this article, we will review some of the key features and benefits of Windows Server 2012 R2, and show you how it can help you achieve your business goals.
Server Virtualization
One of the most important features of Windows Server 2012 R2 is server virtualization with Hyper-V. Hyper-V is a hypervisor that allows you to create and run multiple virtual machines (VMs) on a single physical server, and manage them from a centralized console. Hyper-V can help you reduce costs, improve performance, and increase availability of your servers and applications.
Windows Server 2012 R2 introduces several enhancements to Hyper-V, such as:
Live migration: This feature allows you to move running VMs from one host to another without any downtime or service interruption. You can also perform live migration of storage, network, and shared nothing VMs, and use compression or SMB 3.0 to speed up the process.
Replication: This feature allows you to create and maintain a replica of a VM on another host, and use it for disaster recovery or high availability. You can also configure extended replication to have a third copy of a VM on another site, and use Hyper-V Recovery Manager to orchestrate the failover and failback operations.
Scalability: Windows Server 2012 R2 supports up to 64 virtual processors and 1 TB of memory per VM, and up to 320 logical processors and 4 TB of memory per host. You can also create and manage up to 1,024 active VMs per host, and up to 8,000 VMs per cluster.
Storage
Another key feature of Windows Server 2012 R2 is storage. Windows Server 2012 R2 provides a variety of storage options and features that can help you optimize the performance, reliability, and availability of your data.
Some of the storage features and enhancements in Windows Server 2012 R2 are:
Storage Spaces: This feature allows you to create virtual disks from a pool of physical disks, and use them as if they were regular disks. You can also use Storage Spaces to create resilient and scalable storage solutions, such as mirrored, parity, or tiered spaces, and use thin provisioning and deduplication to save space.
Storage QoS: This feature allows you to monitor and control the input/output (I/O) performance of your VMs, and ensure that they get the minimum or maximum IOPS that they need. You can also use Storage QoS to prevent noisy neighbors, and balance the load across your storage devices.
ReFS: This is a new file system that is designed for high availability and resilience. ReFS can handle large volumes, files, and directories, and protect your data from corruption and loss. ReFS also supports data deduplication, SMB 3.0, and Storage Spaces.
Networking
Windows Server 2012 R2 also offers a range of networking capabilities and enhancements that can help you improve the connectivity, security, and manageability of your network.
Some of the networking features and improvements in Windows Server 2012 R2 are:
Software-defined networking: This is a concept that allows you to abstract and virtualize your network infrastructure, and manage it from a centralized console. You can use
software-defined networking to create and configure virtual networks, switches, routers, firewalls, and load balancers, and apply policies and rules to them. You can also use software-defined networking to isolate and secure your network traffic, and integrate it with your cloud services.
NIC teaming: This feature allows you to combine multiple network adapters into a single logical adapter, and use it for load balancing and failover. You can also use NIC teaming to increase the bandwidth and reliability of your network connections, and support different modes and algorithms.
IPAM: This is a feature that allows you to manage your IP address space, and monitor and audit your IP configuration and usage. You can use IPAM to discover, allocate, and reclaim IP addresses, and integrate it with your DNS and DHCP servers. You can also use IPAM to enforce your IP policies and compliance, and generate reports and alerts.
Server Management and Automation
Windows Server 2012 R2 also simplifies server management and automation with several tools and features that can help you reduce the complexity and overhead of your server administration tasks.
Some of the server management and automation tools and features in Windows Server 2012 R2 are:
PowerShell: This is a scripting language and a command-line shell that allows you to automate and execute various server operations and functions. PowerShell can help you manage your servers, VMs, storage, networking, and applications, and perform tasks such as configuration, deployment, and troubleshooting. PowerShell also supports workflows, remoting, and modules, and integrates with other Microsoft products and services.
Server Manager: This is a graphical user interface (GUI) tool that allows you to manage multiple servers and roles from a single console. Server Manager can help you install, configure, and monitor your servers, and perform tasks such as inventory, performance, and event management. Server Manager also supports remote management, and integrates with PowerShell and other tools.
Desired State Configuration: This is a feature that allows you to define and enforce the desired state of your servers and applications, and ensure that they are consistent and compliant. You can use Desired State Configuration to create and apply configuration scripts, and use them to install, update, or remove software, settings, or resources. You can also use Desired State Configuration to monitor and report the status and drift of your servers and applications.
Web and Application Platform
Windows Server 2012 R2 also provides a robust and flexible web and application platform that can help you develop and host your web and cloud applications, and support various languages, frameworks, and technologies.
Some of the web and application platform features and enhancements in Windows Server 2012 R2 are:
IIS 8.5: This is the latest version of Internet Information Services, the web server that is included in Windows Server 2012 R2. IIS 8.5 can help you host and manage your web applications, and provide features such as dynamic site activation, idle worker process page-out, enhanced logging, and ETW logging.
ASP.NET 4.5.1: This is the latest version of ASP.NET, the web development framework that is included in Windows Server 2012 R2. ASP.NET 4.5.1 can help you create and run dynamic web applications, and provide features such as async-aware debugging, app suspension, on-demand compilation, and identity enhancements.
WebSocket support: This is a feature that allows you to establish a bidirectional communication channel between your web server and your web browser, and enable real-time and interactive web applications. WebSocket support can help you improve the performance and user experience of your web applications, and support scenarios such as chat, gaming, and notifications.
Access and Information Protection
Windows Server 2012 R2 also provides access and information protection with several features that can help you secure and control your data and resources, and enable your users to access them from anywhere and any device.
Some of the access and information protection features in Windows Server 2012 R2 are:
Work Folders: This feature allows you to sync your work files from your corporate network to your personal devices, and access them offline or online. Work Folders can help you increase your productivity and mobility, and support bring your own device (BYOD) scenarios. Work Folders also supports encryption, policies, and auditing, and integrates with Active Directory.
Dynamic Access Control: This feature allows you to define and enforce granular access policies to your files and folders, based on user and device attributes, and data classifications. Dynamic Access Control can help you protect your sensitive data, and comply with your regulatory and business requirements. Dynamic Access Control also supports automatic file encryption, auditing, and reporting, and integrates with Active Directory and Active Directory Federation Services (AD FS). AD FS is a software component that enables federated identity and access management, and allows users to have single sign-on access to systems and applications across organizational boundaries.
Active Directory Federation Services: This feature allows you to establish trust between two security realms, and securely share digital identity and entitlements rights. AD FS can help you authenticate and authorize your users, and provide them with features such as web single sign-on, identity delegation, and claims-based access control. AD FS also supports various protocols and standards, such as WS-* and SAML 2.0.
This concludes our review of Windows Server 2012 R2, a powerful and versatile cloud and datacenter platform that can help you build, deploy, and manage your applications and services. We hope you found this article informative and useful, and we encourage you to try Windows Server 2012 R2 for yourself. You can download a free evaluation version from the Microsoft website, or contact us for more information. Thank you for reading.