Windows Server 2012 Standard activation

Question

I just purchased PowerEdge T110 II with Windows 2012 Standard OS.

Does it come with OS preinstalled? is activation required? Last time I bought Dell it was Dimenstion 8400 with Window XP that was tied to Dell motherboard, so activation was not needed.

I probably will want to play with setup and try different things before I setup OS for long term. If activation is required - will re-installing OS more than once on the same box cause any problems? From my knowledge of client MS OS-es this is fine but I don't know anything about servers.

theflash1932 · Accepted Answer

Yes, the Standard license comes with rights to run 2 'virtual' instances.

theflash1932 · Accepted Answer

'Is reinstalling more than once on the same hardware ok?' Yes. Servers are no different here - it uses the same activation mechanism.

theflash1932 · Accepted Answer

No, that is ONLY if you have BOTH licensed VM's running.  If you must run a server role in the physical instance, then you must only use one VM.  Since it is impossible to run both VM's without running the physical server, if you install any server roles on the physical instance, you then give/license yourself only a single VM.

Daniel My · Answer

Hello joeschmoe007

If you ordered the system with an array configured and an operating system then you can choose to have the OS preinstalled at the factory. If you choose to have it preinstalled then it will already be activated. You can read more here:

http://en.community.dell.com/techcenter/b/techcenter/archive/2012/10/12/saving-you-time-with-factory-pre-installed-windows-server-2012.aspx

Thanks

JoeSchmoe007 · Answer

Is reinstalling more than once on the same hardware ok?

theflash1932 · Answer

Of course it is ... like with any server instance, physical or virtual.

speedstep · Answer

Yes but that is only server Licenses Clients are Separate.

http://www.microsoft.com/Licensing/about-licensing/virtualization.aspx

Servers – Server/CAL – server license + CAL + optional external connector

JoeSchmoe007 · Answer

The link to the blog you posted mentions Pre-deployed Multilingual Virtual Hard Disk. I ordered this option.

What can I do with it? Does it mean that I can run 2 VMs of this VHD under host Windows Server without buying any additional licenses?

JoeSchmoe007 · Answer

OK, I am now officially confused.

If I want to run this OS that it on Pre-deployed Multilingual Virtual Hard Disk as a VM under Windows Server 2012 host OS - do I need to buy another Windows Server 2012 License?

JoeSchmoe007 · Answer

No, you do not need to purchase another license. Your Server 2012 license INCLUDES the rights/licensing to run two virtual instances in/with the physical instance (the physical installation/instance may only be used to manage the VM's in Hyper-V - cannot run any server roles).

What if I need to use other server roles (file server, web server, ftp server) on physical installation?

theflash1932 · Answer

Then you can either 1) run them in the virtual instances instead, or 2) purchase another license. Microsoft (to mirror the industry) is moving to entirely virtual environments. Sure, physical is still possible - and supported - but virtual is easier to manage (move, backup, etc.), so these roles are all supported in a virtual environment.

theflash1932 · Answer

No, you do not need to purchase another license. Your Server 2012 license INCLUDES the rights/licensing to run two virtual instances in/with the physical instance (the physical installation/instance may only be used to manage the VM's in Hyper-V - cannot run any server roles).

What SS was trying to point out is that you will still need to make sure you purchase access licenses for any users/devices that need to connect to or use the servers (except for administrative access). Server 2012 no longer includes the standard 5 CAL (Client Access Licenses) that previous Servers came with ... you purchase CAL's based on the of access needed, period. If you set up one VM as a web server, no additional licenses are required (special exception). If you set up a VM to which, say, 10 users will authenticate/connect to for files/services, then you must purchase ten licenses (CAL's).

JoeSchmoe007 · Answer

Then you can either 1) run them in the virtual instances instead, or 2) purchase another license. Microsoft (to mirror the industry) is moving to entirely virtual environments. Sure, physical is still possible - and supported - but virtual is easier to manage (move, backup, etc.), so these roles are all supported in a virtual environment.

Does it mean I cannot run services on physical instance only when VM is actually running? Or I can never any services on physical instance (this couldn't be true)?

PowerEdge OS Forum

Windows Server 2012 Standard activation

Servers – Server/CAL – server license + CAL + optional external connector

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