Few days back exactly on July 11, 2012 Microsoft has made new Windows Server 2012 Essentials formerly known as the [easyazon-link asin=”0735656703″ locale=”us”]Windows Small Business Server Essentials[/easyazon-link] available in beta for public release. It is completely new and redone product in this family of Microsoft servers.
Windows Server 2012 Beta Essentials (formerly Windows Small Business Server Essentials) is a flexible, affordable, and easy-to-use server solution designed and priced for small businesses with up to 25 users and 50 devices that helps them reduce costs and be more productive. Windows Server 2012 Beta Essentials is an ideal first server, and it can also be used as the primary server in a multi-server environment for small businesses.
Hardware requirements:
CPU: 64-bit 1.4 GHz single core or 1.3 GHz multi-core (minimum) to 3.1 GHz multi-core (recommended) or faster processor.
Memory: 2 (minimum) to 8 (recommended) GB RAM or more
Disk: 160G disk space
Client OS: Windows 7, Windows 8, Mac OS X version 10.5 to 10.7
Download an try yourself this public BETA release : Windows Server 2012 Beta Essentials
The installation is very straight forward like with any Microsoft servers, however during this setup you will be asked to create 2 Logins for your access to the server – full admin and operational admin. Once done, it took good 30 minutes you will be presented with the similar tabs screen like in upcoming Windows 8. See few screens from setup for yourself.
Here are more screenshot pics from the install :
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As you can see this server is little a bit different 🙂
- Here is Microsoft Server 2012 Essentials Data Sheet for download
- Technet documentation and details for Windows Server 2012 Essentials here