"Information about Windows Server 2012"

Differences between the Server 2012 editions:

• Server Foundation: For small businesses with basic requirements, no virtualization, CPU-based license model, no CALs required (limited to 15 users), CPU limit on 1 CPU
• Server Essentials: Suitable for small businesses with basic requirements, no virtualization, CPU-based license model, no CALs required (limited to 25 users / 50 devices), CPU limit on 2 CPUs
• Server Standard: Suitable for all companies with extended functions and low virtualization, 2 virtual machines, CPU-based license model, CALs required
• Server Datacenter: Suitable for all companies with higher requirements and a large number of virtual instances, unlimited number of virtual machines, CPU-based license model, required CALs

Licensing server 2012:

Licensing for Server 2008 and 2012 is calculated in addition to the corresponding access rights (CALs) for Server Standard and DataCenter according to the number of CPUs.

Only Server Foundation covers one CPU and the other server versions are suitable for servers with two CPUs, regardless of the number of cores. If additional processors are used in a system, the necessary licenses are required.