Deduplication feature
The Deduplication feature offered with the new server managing solution from Microsoft is one of the most interesting features of this program, but the new Windows Server 2012 comes with many other compelling features. Data Deduplication finds and deletes all the duplicated files that are not needed, reducing redundancy and increasing the maximum efficiency of the program. This is a feature that frees huge amounts of space, which is a growing data storage concern for larger enterprises.
Installation features – GUI or Non-GUI
The GUI-less install feature is another good service offered by Windows Server 2012. This is also called a Server Core Installation. This installation option reduces the disk space required, the servicing requirements, and the potential attack surface, so the Server Core Installation is the recommended installation method. The other installation option is to use the “Server with a GUI” option, which allows you to install the Server package with a friendly interface, which is great especially for beginners. The system allows you to install only the features that you need, increasing the general efficiency of the program and reducing the possibilities for the system to be hijacked.
New HyperV version
Hyper 3.0 is an upgraded version of the one that was also offered with Windows Server 2008. VMware upfront interface has been eliminated, and the system now allows 64 processors with 1 TB of RAM. It supports 320 logical processors, and it is now clear that Microsoft tries to bring VMware to the level of an optional feature.
Managing IP Addresses
IP Addresses Manager is a new feature that will solve many problems of network administrators. The time when you needed to store IP addresses in Excel files is over, and the new IPAM feature offers internal framework and support. Windows Server 2012 comes with a new internal framework that allows you to run and manage all the DNS’s and DHCP protocols. It is able to discover IP’s automatically and it focuses on all the management aspects of WS 2012.
Managing Virtualization
The Network Virtualization features are also solved a lot more effective with WS 2012. The limitations of IP’s are now eliminated, and the IP addresses can be easily managed even with virtual machines. This makes it possible for administrators to use private cloud features, and represents a new era in the world of virtualization.
New NTFS Features
NTFS file system management has been used for more than a decade, and even if it is still reliable, some think that it is time for a change. NTFS is not eliminated, but the Re-FS system that was added with Windows Server 2012 will probably be the base of change, and we are pretty sure that we will see the NTFS eliminated with the next Windows Server version. Re-Fs brings many improvements, such as the possibility to transfer large files fast. Moreover, the need to check and create free space on the destination machine has been eliminated, making file transfers much more nimble. It is the perfect method for small networks, which always had problems with disk space until now.
