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Microsoft

Microsoft P71-05929 Windows Server Datacenter 2008 R2

Deploy virtualized datacenter infrastructure with Windows Server 2008 R2 Datacenter's unlimited virtual instance licensing.

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Overview

Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2 Datacenter edition was designed for highly virtualized and large-scale datacenter environments, with its headline feature being unlimited Windows Server virtual instance rights under a single license. Supporting up to 4 physical CPUs, it was built to run on multi-socket server hardware and provided the full suite of Windows Server roles and features available at the time of its release, including Hyper-V, Active Directory, IIS, and failover clustering.

It is important to note that Windows Server 2008 R2 reached the end of Microsoft's extended support lifecycle in January 2020. This means it no longer receives security updates, hotfixes, or technical support from Microsoft. As a result, deploying this operating system in internet-facing or production environments carries significant security risk. Today, its primary value lies in supporting legacy applications that specifically require this platform, running isolated test or development labs, or maintaining compatibility in environments that cannot yet migrate to a newer Windows Server version.

Key Features

Increase the reliability and flexibility of their server infrastructures

Helps save time, reduce costs, and provide a platform for a dynamic and efficiently managed data center.

to give customers greater control, increased efficiency and the ability to react to front-line business needs faster than ever before

Web Application Platform

Virtualization with Hyper-V

Scalable and Reliable

Easy to Manage

Better Together with Windows 7

Specifications

Product
Windows Server 2008 R2 Datacenter
Edition
Datacenter
CPU Support
Up to 4 Physical Processors
Virtualization Rights
Unlimited Virtual Instances
Publisher
Microsoft
Model Number
P71-05929
Support Status
End of Extended Support (January 2020)

Pros & Cons

👍 Pros

  • Datacenter edition includes unlimited virtual machine licensing rights
  • Supports up to 4 physical CPUs for multi-socket server deployments
  • Provides a platform for maintaining compatibility with legacy applications that require this specific OS version
  • Built on the mature and well-documented Windows Server 2008 R2 codebase

👎 Cons

  • Reached end of life in January 2020 and no longer receives security patches from Microsoft
  • Not suitable for production environments due to unpatched security vulnerabilities
  • Lacks modern features found in current Windows Server editions such as containers and modern hypervisor capabilities
  • Limited driver and hardware support for current-generation server components

Frequently Asked Questions

This edition supports up to 4 physical processors, making it suitable for multi-socket server hardware.
The Datacenter edition includes unlimited Windows Server virtual instance rights, which is its primary advantage over the Standard and Enterprise editions.
No, Windows Server 2008 R2 reached end of extended support in January 2020. It no longer receives security updates, making it unsuitable for production environments exposed to the internet.
It may be used for legacy application testing, isolated lab environments, or maintaining compatibility with older software that cannot run on newer Windows Server versions. It should not be used in internet-facing production deployments.

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