The New Cost-Effective Technology Foundation

The proven and reliable technology of Windows Server Foundation provides you with a foundation to run most small-business applications. It’s an affordable platform for the core portfolio of IT capabilities, including file and print sharing, remote access and security. A simple and familiar Windows experience makes it easy for organizations to get up and running.

As the heart of a true local area network, Windows Server Foundation lets employees exchange data securely, without requiring e-mail or the Internet access. Additionally, Windows Server Foundation provides an easy upgrade path to higher-end versions of Windows Server, so your IT solution can grow as your business grows.

Windows Server Foundation can grow along with your businesses, providing the ability to upgrade to a higher-capability edition of Windows Server as needed. Easy availability of skilled manpower, compatibility with most hardware devices, and the peace of mind gained from running a genuine Windows-based server helps you achieve the highest return on investment.

Why Windows Server 2008 R2 Foundation?

Windows Server 2008 R2 Foundation is designed to meet your needs better than traditional alternatives:

Windows Server 2008 R2 Foundation Benefits

Windows Server Foundation, built on reliable technology, provides your organization with an affordable, easy-to-deploy foundation for running most business applications as well as sharing information and resources. Learn more about these core benefits below.

Business Value

Strengthen your business with a genuine, dependable, and affordable technology foundation for running your business applications as well as sharing information and resources.

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Low cost of purchase

• Pre-installed, ready to use and genuine Windows Server for a very low cost of entry.

• Lower combined cost of purchase, use and support.

Right capabilities for your business

• Tailored to meet your small-business needs while delivering all the functionalities of a full server.

• Provides the foundation to run business application and share information across a secure internal network.

When you buy genuine Windows, you:

• Know that you are getting the most secure version of Windows Server Foundation available.

• Are assured of greater peace of mind from authentic software that does not include unauthorized or harmful software, such as spyware.

• Have the confidence that you got what you paid for.

• Increase your productivity with free downloads, training, and other resources.

• Have access to support from Microsoft or a trusted partner.

• Stay better protected with the latest enhancements.

• Get access to product support, resources and ongoing updates.

Simplicity

A simple and familiar Windows interface, compatibility with most hardware devices, and an easy upgrade path to higher-end versions of Windows Server make it easy to manage your IT needs.

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Easy to purchase, maintain, and support

• Windows Server Foundation comes pre-installed along with your server hardware saving you the efforts of separately procuring and installing the operating system on the server hardware.

• Windows Server Foundation is supported by an extensive network of trusted Microsoft partners

Solid foundation to easily grow your business

• Upgradeable

Easily manage your Windows-based network

• Centrally manage settings on all your Windows based computers.

Simply compatible

• Compatibility with most hardware devices.

• Interoperability with other operating systems and applications.

Technology Capabilities

Run most business applications on reliable technology. Windows Server Foundation is an affordable platform for the core portfolio of IT capabilities, including file and print sharing, remote access and security features. As the heart of a true local area network, Windows Server Foundation lets employees exchange data very securely, without requiring e-mail or the Internet.

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Running business applications

• Solid platform for business applications from basic accounting software to advanced database and email applications.

• Server enables shared access to the application that your business depends on.

Sharing information and resources

• Without the need for duplicating resources, you can now share devices such as printers, scanners and back-up equipment across your organization.

• Achieve robust data protection by deploying a server. This provides a single repository for files and information on a network thereby mitigating the chances of data loss.

Access organization’s information from anywhere

• Remote Access capability within Windows Server allows employees to access data even when they are on the road.

• Terminal Services enables desktops applications executing on the server to be accessed from a variety of client devices and locations

Safeguard your information

• Control employee access to confidential information with Active Directory.

• Help protect your data by encrypting the information residing on the server using bit-locker drive encryption

• Running applications with Terminal Services limits exposure as only data viewed is sent to the user’s machine, rather than whole files.

Windows Server 2008 R2 Foundation Recommended Uses

Windows Server 2008 R2 Foundation is an ideal first server and can be deployed easily to create a single-server network. Windows Server Foundation can be deployed in a variety of ways to meet your needs.

Core Infrastructure

Windows Server Foundation is an excellent option for use with single or multiple workloads, such as file sharing, print sharing, networking, Remote Desktop Services, remote connections, and other common server roles. Also, Windows Server Foundation can be used for Internet Web services and as a Web server platform for intranets and extranets where user authentication is required.

Active Directory

Windows Server Foundation can be used as an Active Directory server or domain controller, and can also join a domain as a member server or domain controller (but the 15 user limit still applies across Active Directory scenarios)

Terminal Services (Remote Desktop)

Windows Server Foundation is also ideal for multiple-user computing, such as sharing Microsoft Office or using Remote Desktop Services.

Line of Business Applications

Your line of business applications that are built for the Windows Server 2008 R2 family can be deployed on your server. If they have the “Certified for” or “Works with” accreditation for Windows Server 2008 R2, then they should be supported on Windows Server Foundation.

Windows Server 2008 R2 Foundation Availability and Licensing

Windows Server 2008 R2 Foundation is available through original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) only on select single processor servers. For details on exact server models please contact your server manufacturer.

Windows Server 2008 R2 Foundation is licensed by user accounts. Each license of Windows Server 2008 R2 Foundation is limited to a maximum of 15 user accounts. Moreover, a user account can be assigned to only one distinct user at a time.

Because Windows Server 2008 R2 Foundation is licensed in this way, you do not require Windows Server client access licenses (CALs). This also makes Windows Server 2008 R2 Foundation much more cost effective for small businesses. Although Windows Server 2008 R2 Foundation does not require Windows Server CALs, TS CALs or Rights Management CALs are required to use those server roles on a Windows Server 2008 R2 Foundation–based server.

Expected Behavior

Being licensed for 15 users Windows Server 2008 R2 Foundation has the following expected behavior when joined to existing domains.

The above behavior makes Windows Server Foundation an ideal product for a small business with less than 15 users, for businesses that are greater than 15 users we recommend the use of Windows Server Standard or Enterprise depending on their exact requirements.

If you are a small business running Windows Server Foundation and experience the above mentioned conditions we recommend that you upgrade to Windows Server 2008 R2 Standard. You can obtain a copy of Windows Server 2008 R2 Standard from your reseller.