Microsoft Windows Server 2016 Standard 2-Core

Windows Server 2016 Standard is designed for the virtualization needs and IT of small businesses and is the Server version of Windows 10. A 2-Core package can be used to flexibly extend existing Server licensing.

Short info about Microsoft Windows Server 2016 Standard

With Windows Server 2016 Standard, companies receive a reliable, Cloud-capable Server operating system, which is designed for environments that only operate virtualization of applications to a low degree and that predominantly use physical Server. Compared to the previous version, this Standard edition also offers many new features and enhancements designed to support the move to a Cloud-based environment - ensuring infrastructure security through increased stability and improved protection against network and storage failures. Using Windows Server 2016 Standard is virtually intuitive with the familiar interface from Windows 10.

Edition comparison: What does Windows Server 2016 Standard offer?

When deciding to purchase the Standard edition of Windows Server 2016, the main factor is the need for virtualization of applications in a company. Standard already provides many functions here for developing and operating hyperconvergent infrastructures in a smaller company. They are complemented by the Microsoft Azure Services, which enable the closer connection of local environments with the Cloud with further practical functions.

Windows Server 2016 Standard thereby not only offers sufficient prerequisites to create virtual networks, but also to be used for the management of IT infrastructures in a data center; also for this purpose, the security of the data has been further strengthened by various optimizations.

Licensing of the Standard-Edition Windows Server 2016 with used software

Starting with the Windows Server 2016 version, licensing of the Standard edition is exclusively Core-based: For each Server a minimum number of 16 cores is always defined, additional cores can be licensed with the 2-Core packages - more details below.

Softwarehandel24 offers the 2-Core package of Windows Server 2016 Standard as used software. This possesses above all the large advantage of a more favorable price in the comparison to new commodity - with the same function range, e.g. with the virtualization, as well as same efficiency - besides this version is offered usually no longer new. Detailed information about the functional scope of the Microsoft Windows Server 2016 Standard Edition as well as the exact licensing conditions is provided in the following overview.

What does the Windows Server 2016 Standard Edition contain?

First of all, compared to the previous version, Windows Server 2016 Standard is generally characterized by a higher performance when running applications as well as a stronger connection to Cloud. In addition, there are new functions here in particular that support both the switch to a Cloud environment and also create the prerequisites for the virtualization of servers and applications.

With the Standard edition it is therefore possible to create complex virtual networks to a certain extent, which have greater stability, combined with better protection of the infrastructures.

When using Windows Server 2016 Standard as a data center for efficient management of an IT infrastructure in a smaller company, this edition includes, among other things, new Server roles as well as more options for assigning user rights; in addition, the improved protection in the event of a network or storage failure ensures greater security and faster recovery.

Windows Server 2016 Standard can also be launched in the simpler Core application - by not displaying the graphical Desktop interface, the performance of older hardware in particular can be significantly improved when running the Server software.

Important features available in the Standard version, which mainly concern the possibilities for virtualizing applications, are described in more detail below.

Virtualization with Hyper-V

The Standard edition of Windows Server 2016 includes virtualization rights for 2 virtual machines or 2 Hyper-V containers, with a maximum of 24 TB RAM available. For two additional VM rights, all existing physical active cores must be licensed again.

Hyper-V offers various storage features, such as the iSCSI initiator for the use of the SCSI protocol over an IP network, as well as the support of Storage Spaces, in order to combine drives into a logical storage pool, which then provides storage spaces (Storage Spaces Direct is not available in the Standard edition), as well as multipath I/O (MPIO) for better load distribution between the connections and higher failure safety - via failover and load balancing. Last but not least, VM Storage Resiliency improves the availability of Windows Server 2016 Hyper-V clusters by increasing tolerance to storage system failures.

Support for Windows Server containers under Docker

New in Microsoft Windows Server 2016 is the support of Windows Server Containers as well as Hyper-V containers based on Docker, the open source software for easy isolated deployment of Server- and Cloud-applications using container virtualization, which also simplifies their deployment. With Docker, all the components required for this are made available via the container host.

Nano Server in Windows Server 2016

Complementing this is Nano Server, a Remote managed server operating system that is optimized for Windows Server containers or the Docker extension and can be configured to host Docker containers. Nano Server allows the creation of much leaner servers, as the use of a virtual engine saves up to 90% storage space in an enterprise. Nano-Server can also be used not only to create Hyper-V clusters, but also for classic server services, such as file servers.

Using Microsoft Azure Services with Windows Server 2016 Standard

In Windows Server 2016 version, the connection between the operating system and the Microsoft Azure Cloud-Service is pushed even further. Distributed data centers can thus be linked together even more efficiently and reliably to form high-performance, high-availability servers and clusters, because Azure offers the special advantage of an end-to-end hybrid infrastructure - with uniform functions for identities, security and administration for all components, as well as Cloud Witness, the high availability feature for failover clusters, and RDS Connection Broker for the provision of virtual desktops.

Overview of Microsoft server applications and components available with Windows Server 2016 Standard

Server applications available with Windows Server 2016 Standard, and installable via Server-Manager (or PowerShell) include:

Microsoft SQL Server: Versions 2016, 2014 to 2012
Microsoft System Center: Virtual Machine Manager 2016, Data Protection Manager 2016, Operations Manager 2016
Configuration Manager (1606)
SharePoint-Server 2016
Exchange Server 2016
Project Server 2016
Host Integration Server 2016
Visual Studio Team Foundation Server 2017
Skype for Business Server 2015 and
BizTalk Server 2016

Further, the following components are supported, among others:

.NET Framework 4.6 and 3.5
PowerShell
BitLocker drive encryption and network unlocking
BranchCache
Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS)
Client for NFS (Network File System)
Failover cluster
Group Policy Management

On the other hand, the following features and components are NOT supported in the Standard edition of Windows Server 2016:

Software-defined Networking (SDN)
Monitoring of Hyper-V virtual hosts
Storage Replica
Storage Spaces Direct
Storage Replica
Shielded Virtual Machines
New network stack (Protocol Stack)

Software and Hardware Minimum Requirements for Installation and Operation of Windows Server 2016 Standard Edition

To ensure trouble-free operation of Windows Server 2016 Standard, the hardware used must meet the minimum requirements listed below. Further requirements depend on the system configuration or, if applicable, other installed applications.

Disk space Hard disk: 32 GB
RAM: 512 MB (Server Core and Server Nano)
Installation with Desktop display: 2 GB
System partition: 32 GB
Processor: 64 bit
Processor speed: 1.4 GHz
Graphics card: 1,024 x 768 pixels, Super VGA support
Network card: 1 Ethernet adapter with 1x minimum throughput in the Gigabit range

Licensing with a Windows Server 2016 Standard 2-Core Package

Even when licensing a server with the Windows Server 2016 Standard Edition as used software, the Microsoft licensing requirements must be met. For extended licensing, at least a 2-Core Package is required, and the following rules apply.

Microsoft License terms for Windows Server 2016

With the release of the Windows Server 2016 version, Microsoft has also fundamentally changed its licensing model. When licensing a server with the Standard- or a higher edition, the number of cores of the physical hardware used forms the basis. The following provisions apply:

A single Server license covers 2 physical processor cores.
A minimum number of 8 cores Pro processor is always applied - even if the existing hardware actually has less than 8 cores.
In addition, a minimum number of 2 processors Pro physical Server is assumed.
This results in a minimum number of 16 cores, which is licensed with a corresponding package, which is also available from Softwarehandel24 as used software.
If a Server has more than 16 cores, these can or must be licensed best with 2-Core packages for Windows Server 2016 Standard supplementary.
Supplementally, each Client - either User or endpoint - that accesses the Windows Server 2016 Standard must also be provided with an appropriate client access license (CAL). These User and Device CALs for Windows Server 2016 are also available from Softwarehandel24 at low cost as used software.

Using Windows Server 2016 Standard in a virtual operating system environment

Windows Server 2016 instances can be run in the Standard edition in a physical operating system environment - 1 running instance - or in a virtual operating system environment - max. 2 running instances. Windows Server 2016 can thus also be installed on a virtual machine on an existing host, however some features work best on a physical Windows Server 2016 host running Hyper-V.

FAQs about Microsoft Windows Server 2016 Standard Edition as Softwarehandel24 Used Software

With a used 2-Core package of Windows Server 2016 Standard Server cores can be licensed in the same way as with a new 2-Core package - although the latter is hardly ever offered new. In general, software cannot wear out anyway, so Used Software from Softwarehandel24 offers the same functionalities and also rights as an unused server license. Frequently asked questions about features of used Windows server licenses are answered below.

Are sale, purchase as well as use of Microsoft Used Software like the Windows Server 2016 2-Core Package legally allowed?

Yes: As a Softwarehandel24 customer you can be confident with used software that not only your purchase of this Windows Server 2016 Standard 2-Core Package like its regular use does not violate any applicable laws. By the valid jurisdiction both the trade with Microsoft used software is permitted, as well as its use, because with Softwarehandel24 this originates from the license stock of a company. Various court rulings have clearly confirmed this time and again.

Where does the used software come from in a Windows Server 2016 Standard 2-Core Package?

2-Core Packages for Windows Server 2016 Standard at Softwarehandel24 consequently originate from companies or organizations; these have usually purchased it new themselves and also usually actually used it, and then sold it to Softwarehandel24. Reasons for this can be, for example, the company-wide use of a newer software version or the use of a Server hardware with fewer cores. Such 2-Core packages are always offered as used software in the Softwarehandel24 store, even if they can be used like a new license.

What about the buyer security for used software of Windows Server 2016 Standard?

This Windows Server 2016 Standard 2-Core package as well as any other Softwarehandel24 used software offers you the usual buyer security by the immediate download of the software package after completed payment process as well as the immediate license activation with a valid license Key - just like new software.

Does Used Software from Softwarehandel24 have any other advantages?

Yes: Softwarehandel24 customers benefit first of all from the significantly lower price when buying used software; thus it offers an economic advantage, since companies as well as individuals can supplement or update their software inventory more economically than with new software. Used software from Softwarehandel24 can therefore contribute to the reduction of operating costs, because it also offers audit security due to the complete verification of all buyers!

In the Softwarehandel24 software store you will not only find the 2-Core package of the Windows Server 2016 Standard Edition, but also the corresponding 16-Core package for the basic licensing of your Windows server. If your need for application virtualization increases, then you can grab the Windows Server 2016 Datacenter Edition, or even the latest version: Windows Server 2019, which are also available at Softwarehandel24. In addition, you will also find the required client access licenses (CALs) in our used software portfolio, as well as many other Microsoft programs - with all the aforementioned Softwarehandel24 benefits. If you have any questions about your correct licensing of Windows Server 2016 Standard with 2-Core packages, just use our competent advice in the chat or by e-mail or phone.

MICROSOFT WINDOWS SERVER 2016 STANDARD 2-CORE