Deployment Guide

CAUTION: Using Storage Spaces on unsupported hardware increases the risk of data loss because hardware

failure notifications and hardware failover may not occur as expected.

Windows Server 2012 Upgrade

You can upgrade to Microsoft Windows Server 2012 from Microsoft Windows Server 2008 and Microsoft Windows

Server 2008 R2. See the table below for upgrade options.

Upgrade From Upgrade To

Windows Server 2008 with SP2 – Standard Edition Windows Server 2012 – Standard or Datacenter Edition

Windows Server 2008 with SP2 – Enterprise Edition Windows Server 2012 – Standard or Datacenter Edition

Windows Server 2008 with SP2 – Datacenter Edition Windows Server 2012 – Datacenter Edition

Windows Server 2008 with SP2 – Web Edition Windows Server 2012 – Standard Edition

Windows Server 2008 with SP2 – Foundation Edition Windows Server 2012 – Standard Edition

Windows Server 2008 R2 with SP1 – Standard Edition Windows Server 2012 – Standard or Datacenter Edition

Windows Server 2008 R2 with SP1 – Enterprise Edition Windows Server 2012 – Standard or Datacenter Edition

Windows Server 2008 with SP2 – Datacenter Edition Windows Server 2012 – Datacenter Edition

Windows Server 2008 with SP2 – Web Edition Windows Server 2012 – Standard Edition

Windows Server 2008 with SP2 – Foundation Edition Windows Server 2012 – Standard Edition

Dell OpenManage Support

Dell OpenManage systems management suite provides proactive monitoring, notification, and remote access for Dell

systems. OpenManage 7.1 provides partial support, whereas OpenManage 7.2 will provide complete support for

Microsoft Windows Server 2012. When upgrading a system to Microsoft Windows Server 2012, it is recommended that

administrators:

1. Uninstall the existing Dell OpenManage software

2. Upgrade the operating system to Microsoft Windows Server 2012

3. Install Dell OpenManage

You can upgrade the OpenManage software without upgrading the operating system. For example If you have installed

OpenManage 7.1 on Microsoft Windows Server 2012, you can upgrade to OpenManage 7.2 when available. For

installation instructions, see the

Dell OpenManage Installation and Security User’s Guide

available on the

Dell Systems

Management Tools and Documentation

media.

Installation Options In Windows Server 2012

You can switch between the following installation options in Windows Server 2012:

• Server core — Provides the minimum configuration required to run server-specific roles.

• Full operating system — Allows you to install the complete operating system.

• Minimal server interface — Allows you to install the complete operating system without the graphical user

interface.

• Features on demand — Allows you to add or remove components from the operating system.