JoeSchmoe007

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3 months ago

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June 12th, 2013 10:00

Windows Server 2012 Standard activation

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

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    Posted June 12th, 2013 11:00

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

  • theflash1932

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    Posted June 12th, 2013 11:00

    "Is reinstalling more than once on the same hardware ok?"

    Yes. Servers are no different here - it uses the same activation mechanism.

  • theflash1932

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    Posted June 12th, 2013 13:00

    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

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    Posted June 12th, 2013 11:00

    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

  • 2938

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    Posted June 12th, 2013 11:00

    Is reinstalling more than once on the same hardware ok?

  • theflash1932

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    Posted June 12th, 2013 11:00

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

  • speedstep

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    Posted June 12th, 2013 11:00

    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


  • 2949

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    Posted June 12th, 2013 11:00

    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?

  • 2949

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    Posted June 12th, 2013 12:00

    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?

  • 611

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    Posted June 12th, 2013 13:00

    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?