Server 2012 vs. Server 2016

Attribute	Server 2012	Server 2016
Release Year	2012	2016
Hyper-V Version	Hyper-V 3.0	Hyper-V 4.0
System Requirements	Minimum 1.4 GHz 64-bit processor, 512 MB RAM	Minimum 1.4 GHz 64-bit processor, 512 MB RAM
Active Directory Features	Active Directory Recycle Bin, Fine-Grained Password Policies	Active Directory Recycle Bin, Privileged Access Management
Storage Spaces	Storage Spaces 1.0	Storage Spaces Direct

Introduction

When it comes to choosing a server operating system for your organization, two popular options are Windows Server 2012 and Windows Server 2016. Both versions offer a range of features and capabilities that can meet the needs of different businesses. In this article, we will compare the attributes of Server 2012 and Server 2016 to help you make an informed decision.

Performance

One of the key differences between Server 2012 and Server 2016 is performance. Server 2016 has been optimized for cloud environments and offers improved performance over Server 2012. This is due to enhancements in areas such as storage, networking, and virtualization. Server 2016 also includes features like Storage Spaces Direct and Storage Replica, which can improve performance and reliability for your organization's data storage needs.

Security

Security is a top priority for any organization, and both Server 2012 and Server 2016 offer robust security features. However, Server 2016 includes several new security enhancements that make it a more secure option than Server 2012. For example, Server 2016 includes features like Credential Guard, Device Guard, and Just-In-Time Administration, which can help protect against advanced threats and unauthorized access. Server 2016 also includes Windows Defender Antivirus, which provides real-time protection against malware and other security threats.

Virtualization

Virtualization is a key feature of modern server operating systems, and both Server 2012 and Server 2016 offer strong support for virtualization. However, Server 2016 includes several improvements to its virtualization capabilities that make it a more attractive option for organizations looking to virtualize their infrastructure. Server 2016 includes features like Shielded Virtual Machines, which provide enhanced security for virtual machines, and Nested Virtualization, which allows you to run virtual machines inside other virtual machines.

Management

Server management is another important consideration when choosing a server operating system. Server 2016 includes several improvements to its management tools that make it easier to manage your server infrastructure. For example, Server 2016 includes the new Server Management Tools, which allow you to manage your servers remotely from a web browser. Server 2016 also includes improvements to PowerShell, making it easier to automate common administrative tasks.

Licensing

When it comes to licensing, there are some differences between Server 2012 and Server 2016. Server 2016 introduces a new licensing model based on cores, rather than processors, which can be more cost-effective for organizations with high-density virtualization environments. Server 2016 also includes a new Nano Server deployment option, which is a more lightweight and cost-effective option for certain workloads. However, Server 2016 does require Software Assurance for certain features, which can add to the overall cost of ownership.

Conclusion

In conclusion, both Server 2012 and Server 2016 offer a range of features and capabilities that can meet the needs of different organizations. Server 2016 has the edge in terms of performance, security, virtualization, and management, making it a more attractive option for many businesses. However, Server 2012 may still be a viable option for organizations with specific requirements or budget constraints. Ultimately, the choice between Server 2012 and Server 2016 will depend on your organization's specific needs and priorities.