Lecture 2 (1)
Lecture 2 (1)
Mohammed.G.Saeed
Windows Server 2012 R2
Windows Server 2012 R2 is a server operating system developed by Microsoft. It was released on
October 18, 2013, as an improved version of Windows Server 2012. It introduced several
enhancements in virtualization, storage, networking, and security, making it a popular choice for
enterprise IT environments.
Editions of Windows Server 2012 R2
Windows Server 2012 R2 was available in multiple editions to cater to different business needs:
Edition Description
1) Datacenter Full-featured, designed for large enterprises with unlimited virtual machines (VMs).
2) Standard Same features as Datacenter but limited to 2 VMs.
Designed for small businesses with up to 25 users and 50 devices. No Hyper-V
3) Essentials
support.
Basic version for very small businesses, limited to 15 users and only available pre-
4) Foundation
installed on OEM hardware.
Key Features of Windows Server 2012 R2
A) Virtualization & Hyper-V Enhancements
• Generation 2 Virtual Machines – UEFI-based, faster boot time, and secure boot support.
• Live Migration Enhancements – Move VMs between hosts with compression or RDMA for
speed.
• Hyper-V Replica – Backing up virtual machines (VMs) sequentially for emergency recovery.
• Automatic Activation for VMs – No need for individual activation of guest VMs.
B) Storage Features
• Storage Spaces – Software-defined storage for pooling disks and providing redundancy.
• Tiered Storage – Automatically moves frequently accessed data to faster SSDs while keeping
less-used data on HDDs.
• Data Deduplication – Reduces storage usage by eliminating duplicate files.
C) Active Directory & Security Enhancements
• Faster Deployment – Cloning feature for quick domain controller setup.
• Dynamic Access Control (DAC) – Restricts access based on user attributes, improving file security.
• Workplace Join – Allows personal devices to securely access corporate resources without full
domain joining.
D) Networking Features
• IP Address Management (IPAM) – Automates IP tracking and management.
• Improved VPN – Supports automatic VPN connections based on location.
• DHCP Failover – Prevents downtime by having two DHCP servers share lease information.
• NIC Teaming – Combines multiple network adapters for better performance and redundancy.
E) Remote Access & User Experience
• Work Folders – Allows employees to access company files securely from personal devices.
• PowerShell v4.0 – Automates server management with enhanced scripting capabilities
System Requirements
Component Minimum Requirement
Processor 1.4 GHz 64-bit processor (Recommended: 2 GHz or faster)
RAM 512 MB (Essentials & Foundation) / 2 GB (Standard & Datacenter)
Disk Space 32 GB (More needed for GUI & VMs)
Network Gigabit (10/100/1000baseT) Ethernet adapter
Differences Between Windows Server 2012 vs. 2012 R2
Public cloud networks are administered by a third party, providing public access to a platform
made up of servers, databases, applications, and storage. This type of cloud network provides an
organization’s IT department with a system that can handle peak capacity loads at a low set-up
cost. Because the network is configured for multi-latency coverage, many virtual desktops can
access the system simultaneously with little to no downtime.
Public Cloud Networking Diagram
Private
A Private cloud network is necessary for sensitive data. Private cloud networks offer
the highest security possible by keeping the platform on site and limiting access to
authenticated users only. a private cloud allows for resource customization not
available on a public cloud network, which makes this option attractive for enterprises
with single processes and data.
Types of Private
Cloud Networking
Hybrid
A hybrid cloud network combines aspects of both public and private cloud networks. It works by
connecting both private cloud and public cloud services into one flexible infrastructure. With a hybrid
cloud network, organizations can easily shift workloads between both clouds as circumstances change.
Community
Community networks provide a cloud computing solution to a limited number of individuals or
organizations that work together by sharing infrastructure. The model allows for all controls to be
managed and secured commonly by all the part of the organizations or by a third-party managed
service provider.
Benefits of cloud networking