Dell and Microsoft have a long mutual history in delivering relevant technology and simplifying IT for our customers. In building upon the successful integration of Dell and Windows Server 2012, we are continuing to work together to enable our customers to take full advantage of the advancements provided with Windows Server 2012 R2.
Windows Server 2012 R2 represents a great opportunity for Dell as more of our customers want to take advantage of virtualization, increase their IT efficiency though automation, and embrace expanding technologies like hybrid networking, virtual desktops, cloud-based applications and lower-cost storage. Dell works closely with Microsoft to ensure our solutions include a complete range of enterprise products, systems management capabilities, and services that are fully integrated with Microsoft technologies. This in turn, makes it easy for our customers to take IT from ordinary to optimized.
For example, web-hosting firm NTTX Select is realizing the Windows Server 2012 R2 new features are even more compelling when paired with Dell’s deep experience and proven enterprise solutions. They’ve designed their data center on Windows Server 2012 and with Windows Server 2012 R2 they’re seeing greater file flexibility in meeting a range of customer needs, new revenue opportunities and reduction of storage requirements by 80 percent on VDI workloads.
Philip Moss, CEO and CTO of NTTX Select says, “Dell makes very well-built hardware…We trust Dell, and our customers trust Dell. And, thanks to the innovations in Windows Server 2012 R2, I can now source all of the hardware I need from Dell—servers, networking and storage.” He added that, “Through our relationship with Dell we have a distinct competitive advantage. We have a mature product, while other service providers are still figuring out how to deliver Windows Server 2012.”
Windows Server 2012 R2 will be available to all existing customers on Friday, Oct. 18 and will be available for new customers to order starting Nov. 1. Here’s a closer look at how Dell is supporting Windows Server 2012 R2 across the portfolio:
Enterprise Solutions
Dell PowerEdge 11th and 12th generation servers are all certified for Windows Server 2012 R2 and have been seamlessly aligned with Windows Server 2012 R2’s new features to reduce customer pain points, such as long installation and deployment processes and latency. Dell is introducing a number of innovative systems management features including a complimentary iDRAC and OS communication command set that allows the OS to automatically share information with the iDRAC (such as the hostname, iDRAC Management URL, the OS name & version) so that users can access the system quickly and easily through a variety of paths with no need to install any software. Customers can also manage Dell Storage, Dell Networking and Dell Servers through Windows Server 2012 R2.
Cloud Client Computing
Dell customers wanting to implement a virtual desktop solution on Windows Server Hyper-V can now take advantage of the cost-effective and enhanced user-experience benefits of Windows Server 2012 R2 on the Dell DVS for Windows Server and DVS Enterprise for vWorkspace. Windows Server 2012 R2 has built-in deduplication capabilities and more efficient caching mechanisms. These new features reduce storage costs and improve IO characteristics for some operations, allowing even persistent desktops – that require more storage, backup and other resources – to become more affordable to implement. Additional user-experience improvements include quick reconnect and smoother user interface. By leveraging these features, Dell DVS for Windows Server and DVS Enterprise for vWorkspace increases flexibility, lowers the price of adoption of VDI and enhances performance to support a much wider range of users, all the way from 10 to several thousand users on Windows Server 2012 R2 Hyper-V.
Services
On the services side, Dell worked with Microsoft on a new infrastructure consulting capability, Dell Microsoft Private Cloud Acceleration, which helps customer take the first step towards an efficient enterprise. Dell Microsoft Private Cloud Acceleration is designed to improve infrastructure management and reduce costs commonly caused by virtualization sprawl and fragmented data centers. This service enables customers to automate and integrate their cloud with existing systems, dynamically monitor for business continuity and disaster recovery, and rapidly provision to the public cloud through Windows Azure-based, policy-driven provisioning. With these advantages customers can reduce organizational impact, consolidate management, lower total cost of ownership, and transfer comprehensive knowledge to promote self-reliance.
Software
The upcoming release of Dell vWorkspace will allow customers to benefit from all the great new functionality available in Windows Server 2012 R2 and Windows 8.1 by fully supporting and integrating with these platforms. This upcoming release of Dell vWorkspace will:
- Offer full support for the most recent versions of Microsoft App-V, Microsoft Lync and the Lync VDI plugin, allowing customers to full utilize the benefits of a joint Microsoft and Dell setup.
- Help customers achieve a lower TCO by providing integrated desktop-virtualization-specific Windows Server Hyper-V monitoring and diagnostics, and by lowering the CapEx cost of a Dell-Microsoft desktop virtualization deployment by improvements in vWorkspace HyperCache and integration with Windows Server 2012 R2 data deduplication.
- Enable more customers to support BYOD initiatives by offering a new vWorkspace Connector in the Windows Store and by providing optimizations for the way Windows applications are displayed and interacted with on non-Windows devices.
To learn more about Dell and Windows Server 2012 R2 contact your Dell representative or visit this webpage.