Four versions of Windows Server 2012, Windows Home Server finished

Microsoft has announced four versions of Windows Server 2012. It’s also the end of Windows Home Server. Microsoft’s home server won’t be updated for this new release.

Microsoft has only unveiled four versions of Windows Server 2012 targeted at various enterprise sizes and virtualisation: Datacentre, Standard, and for small companies, Essentials and Foundation (exclusively OEM).

Optimised for the cloud thanks to features acquired from the Windows Azure platform, Windows Server 2012 offers a new Hyper-V virtualisation system (version 3) which inaugurates multi-host aspects: "you can create virtual networks which also allow different entities and multiple clients to share the network infrastructure".

Windows Server 2012 also integrates the new Resilient File System which is optimised for large storage volumes and which can automatically verify and correct corrupted data. ReFS should also be the future file system used in client versions of Windows as well.

As well as the announcement of these editions (more details), a FAQ (PDF) dedicated to Windows Server 2012 Essentials indicates that there will no longer be a version of Windows Home Server. Microsoft’s operating system oriented towards home servers will therefore remain Windows Home Server 2011.

Windows Server 2012 Essentials has also been named as the successor, both for home users and small companies. It brings with it functions previously exclusive to WHS like DLNA support for compatible devices, and media streaming.

It should also be noted that there will no longer be a HPC version of Windows Server (High Performance Computing; for high performance calculations). Microsoft will nevertheless provide a HPC 2012 Pack for free which can be used with Windows Server 2012 Standard or Datacentre.