If you want to use Windows Server 2012 with more than the basic features and additional features and server roles, the hardware requirements will increase accordingly. If the used hardware does not meet these requirements, the installation will terminate. Microsoft has released the minimum requirements for the new operating system. Free of charge, for virtualization usage only For OEM hardware and software storage solutions only, e.g. For data centres with focus on virtualization and Cloud environments Designed for virtualized or physical environments Designed for small companies up to 25 users and 50 connected devices Windows Server 2012 is based on Windows 8 with version number 6.2, and the Windows Server 2012 R2 on Windows 8.1 with version number 6.3.
The editions Windows Home Server and Windows Small Business Server have been replaced by Windows Server 2012 Essentials. The Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2 server operating system was replaced in September 2012 by the successor Windows Server 2012.
