Which edition of R2 best-fit for use as a workstation?

xxcom9a · **Posted:** Thu Aug 27, 2009 6:48 pm

Simply put, which version of Windows Server 2008 R2 do you guys recommend for use as a workstation? Is Standard good enough or is "Failover Clustering" and other features in Enterprise/Datacenter help performance? If you vote, please explain why you prefer that version over the others.

I'm more after what is most "optimized" or "workstation-fit" version, not the one with the most un-needed features.

Example of good reasons:

Standard: You can get a key from DreamSpark if you are a student, once R2 is available there.
Enterprise: Has failover clustering.

Example of bad reasons:

Standard: It is missing features.
Datacenter: It has everything.

Here are the little "blurps" Microsoft gives for each of the editions:

Windows Web Server 2008 R2:

Code:

Windows Web Server 2008 R2 is a powerful Web application and services platform. Featuring Internet Information Services (IIS) 7.5 and designed exclusively as an Internet-facing server, it offers improved administration and diagnostic tools to help reduce infrastructure costs when used with a variety of popular development platforms. With included Web Server and DNS Server roles, as well as improved reliability and scalability, this platform allows you to manage the most demanding environments — from a dedicated Web server to an entire Web server farm. 

Windows Server 2008 R2 - Standard:

Code:

Windows Server 2008 R2 Standard is the most robust Windows Server operating system to date. With built-in, enhanced Web and virtualization capabilities, it is designed to increase the reliability and flexibility of your server infrastructure while helping save time and reduce costs. Powerful tools give you greater control over your servers, and streamline configuration and management tasks. Plus, enhanced security features work to harden the operating system to help protect your data and network and provide a solid, highly dependable foundation for your business.

Windows Server 2008 R2 - Enterprise:

Code:

Windows Server 2008 R2 Enterprise is an advanced server platform that provides more cost-effective and reliable support for mission-critical workloads. It offers innovative features for virtualization, power savings, and manageability and helps make it easier for mobile workers to access company resources.

Windows Server 2008 R2 - Datacenter:

Code:

Windows Server 2008 R2 Datacenter delivers an enterprise-class platform for deploying business-critical applications and large-scale virtualization on small and large servers. Improve availability, enhance power management, and integrate solutions for mobile and branch workers. Reduce infrastructure costs by consolidating applications with unlimited virtualization licensing rights. Scale from two to 64 processors. Windows Server R2 2008 Datacenter provides a foundation on which to build enterprise-class virtualization and scale-up solutions.

aviv00 · **Joined:** Tue Mar 18, 2008 11:57 am **Posts:** 255

why not web edition ?

xxcom9a · **Posted:** Thu Aug 27, 2009 9:03 pm

I wasn't sure how it compares to the other 3 in terms of usuability and such.

RemixedCat · **Joined:** Thu Jul 17, 2008 1:05 am **Posts:** 215

web has some hardware restrctions.

Arris · **Posted:** Fri Aug 28, 2009 8:21 am

I installed the Enterprise Edition just because the Standard version sounds like it may be a little bit limited. However, I'm not using any feature of the Enterprise Edition, so next time I might just install the Standard Edition. 8-)

The Web Edition may be added to the poll too because it can be used as workstation fine too!

RemixedCat · **Joined:** Thu Jul 17, 2008 1:05 am **Posts:** 215

enterprise sounds cooler!

aviv00 · **Joined:** Tue Mar 18, 2008 11:57 am **Posts:** 255

RemixedCat wrote:

web has some hardware restrctions.

such as ?

i choosed web to be my main os

i don't think there any limitation that limit me as home user

Arris · **Posted:** Fri Aug 28, 2009 8:05 pm

aviv00 wrote:

RemixedCat wrote:

web has some hardware restrctions.

such as ?

Here are the pages where the different editions are compared:

I expect currently no-one will use more than 32GB of RAM in their pc. Only the maximum amount of virtual machines allowed can be a reason to use the Datacenter edition.

RemixedCat wrote:

enterprise sounds cooler!

Yeah, I think I chose that one a little bit because of that reason. 8-)

The first time I installed I also thought that the Enterprise edition was the most extended edition, but it turns out that is the Datacenter edition.

xxcom9a · **Posted:** Sat Aug 29, 2009 4:36 am

Arris wrote:

aviv00 wrote:

RemixedCat wrote:

web has some hardware restrctions.

such as ?

Here are the pages where the different editions are compared:

I expect currently no-one will use more than 32GB of RAM in their pc. Only the maximum amount of virtual machines allowed can be a reason to use the Datacenter edition.

What is "Failover Clustering" anyways, because that is the only difference between Standard + Enterprise on this page: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2 ... tures.aspx

Arris wrote:

RemixedCat wrote:

enterprise sounds cooler!

Yeah, I think I chose that one a little bit because of that reason. 8-)

The first time I installed I also thought that the Enterprise edition was the most extended edition, but it turns out that is the Datacenter edition.

Even though Enterprise does indeed sound cooler, I think I'll probably just use Standard.

aviv00 · **Joined:** Tue Mar 18, 2008 11:57 am **Posts:** 255

Arris wrote:

aviv00 wrote:

RemixedCat wrote:

web has some hardware restrctions.

such as ?

Here are the pages where the different editions are compared:

I expect currently no-one will use more than 32GB of RAM in their pc. Only the maximum amount of virtual machines allowed can be a reason to use the Datacenter edition.

RemixedCat wrote:

enterprise sounds cooler!

Yeah, I think I chose that one a little bit because of that reason. 8-)

The first time I installed I also thought that the Enterprise edition was the most extended edition, but it turns out that is the Datacenter edition.

for the Home User Experience there are not different

Which edition of R2 best-fit for use as a workstation?

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