Windows Server 2016

  • Manages data generated by things connected with Windows 10 IoT.
  • Serves as gateway for information flowing into IT systems.
  • Improves operational efficiency and business intelligence.
  • Enables Digital Transformation and IoT solution.

Changing from processor-based to core-based licensing

What changes?How will it work?
Standard and Datacenter editions are licensed by number of cores
  • The new Windows Server for Embedded Systems 2016 “base license” grants rights to cover up to 16 cores and will be priced the same as a Windows Server for Embedded Systems 2012 R2 (2CPU/ 2VM).
  • Windows Server FES SKUs are available for 20 cores and 24 cores, to license systems with higher core counts
  • A separate 4-core additional license is also available.
  • CALs required.
  1. All physical cores of a server must be licensed
  2. Each server must be licensed for minimum 16 cores (today, minimum 2 CPUs)
  3. Each processor must be licensed for minimum 8 cores
  4. Rights for VMs (2 VMs for Standard, Essentials, Telco; unlimited for Datacenter) will be granted only when all cores have been licensed.
  5. To add more VMs for Standard, Essentials or Telco, all cores must be licensed again.
EditionsLicense TypeFeaturesVirtualization Rights
Windows Server 2016 for embedded systems offered in two editions (Standard, Datacenter) differentiated only by virtualization rightsEach license covers up to 16, 20, or 24 Cores(all cores must be licensed)
Standard
Low density or
no virtualization
Windows Server 2016 for Embedded Systems StandardClient Acess Licenses required.Capabilities to enable any server appliance.Two virtual instances
Datacenter
High density virtualization
Windows Server 2016 for Embedded Systems Datacenter Client Acess Licenses required.Key server capabilities plus exclusive features: Shielded Virtual Machines, software-defined networking, Storage Spaces Direct, and Storage Replica. Unlimited virtual instances
  • Windows Server is serviced and supported with a 5+5 model (5 years of mainstream support and 5 years of extended support).
  • This model will continue with Windows Server 2016 for customers who choose to install full Windows Server 2016 with Desktop Experience or Server Core. (This applies to Windows Server 2016 for Embedded Systems)

Differences between SKUs - Windows Server 2016 for Embedded Systems

Licensing ProvisionsWS 2016 DatacenterWS 2016  Datacenter For Embedded SystemsWS 2016 StandardWS 2016 Standard For Embedded SystemsWS 2016 Standard for Embedded Systems EssentialsWS 2016 Standard Embedded Systems Telecommunications
Number of Virtual InstancesUnlimitedUnlimited2222
Preinstalled OSOptionalMandatoryOptionalMandatoryMandatoryMandatory
Embedded ApplicationOptionalMandatoryOptionalMandatoryMandatoryMandatory
Line of Business ApplicationsOptionalNoOptionalNoNoNo
Network Infrastructure ServicesYesYesYesYesRestrictedRestricted
Remote UsageYes²Yes²Yes²Yes²Remote Management1Remote Management1
Keyboard, Video & MouseYesYesYesYesNoNo
File service over NetworkYesYesYesYesNoNo
Authentication ServicesYesYesYesYesNoNo
Client Access  License (CAL) RequiredYesYesYesYesNoNo
Messaging or Enterprise MailYesYesYesYesPOP3No
Firewall, Anti Spam, VPNYesYesYesYesYesNo


Note(1) Maximum of two connections in remote administration mode solely to manage the licensed product
(2) Requires separate RDS CAL purchase