Server 2012 vs. Server 2019

Attribute	Server 2012	Server 2019
Release Year	2012	2019
Supported Processor Architecture	x86, x64	x64
Minimum RAM Requirement	512 MB	2 GB
Maximum RAM Support	4 TB	24 TB
Maximum CPU Support	64	64
Hyper-V Version	3.0	8.0

Introduction

Windows Server operating systems have been a staple in the IT industry for many years, providing organizations with powerful tools to manage their networks and data. Two popular versions of Windows Server are Server 2012 and Server 2019. In this article, we will compare the attributes of these two versions to help you understand the differences and make an informed decision about which one is right for your organization.

Performance

One of the key factors to consider when choosing a server operating system is performance. Server 2019 offers improved performance over Server 2012, thanks to enhancements in the underlying architecture and optimizations in the operating system. This means that Server 2019 can handle more workloads and deliver better performance for applications and services running on the server.

Security

Security is a top priority for any organization, especially when it comes to managing sensitive data and critical applications. Server 2019 includes several security features that were not available in Server 2012, such as Windows Defender Advanced Threat Protection (ATP) and Shielded Virtual Machines. These features help protect against advanced threats and ensure that your data remains secure.

Management Tools

Managing a server environment can be a complex task, requiring the use of various tools and utilities. Server 2019 includes improvements to the management tools available in Server 2012, such as Windows Admin Center. This web-based tool provides a centralized interface for managing servers, clusters, and hyper-converged infrastructure, making it easier for administrators to monitor and control their server environment.

Virtualization

Virtualization is a key feature of modern server operating systems, allowing organizations to run multiple virtual machines on a single physical server. Server 2019 includes enhancements to its virtualization capabilities, such as support for Linux containers and Kubernetes. These features make it easier for organizations to deploy and manage virtualized workloads in their server environment.

Storage

Storage is another important aspect to consider when choosing a server operating system. Server 2019 offers improvements in storage features over Server 2012, such as Storage Spaces Direct and Storage Migration Service. These features allow organizations to easily manage and scale their storage infrastructure, ensuring that they have the capacity and performance they need to support their workloads.

Licensing

Finally, licensing is an important consideration when choosing a server operating system. Server 2019 introduces a new licensing model based on cores rather than processors, which can result in cost savings for organizations with servers that have a high core count. This new model makes it easier for organizations to license their servers and ensure compliance with licensing requirements.