Dell started factory installing Windows Server 2012 R2 when you opt for it while ordering the server. Buying a Server with a preinstalled Operating System from factory reduces your initial configuration effort & time in a number of different ways. With Windows Server 2012, we began to offer multilingual user interface support for the OS. With Windows Server 2012 R2, we’ve taken it to another level by including few more value addition like Essential customization, pre-installed Update roll ups that will benefit you.
“Typical” Advantages of Factory Preinstall
Buying a server with no OS means that in addition to tracking down and buying the OS, you have to install, patch and configure it. It can take a long time to make sure you have all the right updates at install time. By opting for platform with OS installed, Dell customers can take advantage of benefits such as:
- OS is activated without any additional effort
- Updated drivers already installed
- Selected latest critical security patches and OS patches installed
- Additional OS configuration and management tools
Multilingual Windows Server 2012 R2 image
Servers will be shipped with a multilingual OS interface which allows you to choose one of our supported OS languages (See Figure 1). This one-time task will set the language used from then on. If you desire to switch to a different language, the multilingual media kit shipped along with server can be used to re-install the OS. Due to legal constraints Simplified Chinese and Traditional Chinese were not part of multilingual image.
Figure 1. OS Language selection
Pre-deployed Multilingual Virtual Hard Disk*
To simplify virtualization configuration, Dell provides a multilingual virtual hard disk (VHDx) file with Windows Server 2012 R2 pre-installed. This is a free, orderable option. When you choose to receive a multilingual VHD, we enable the Hyper-V role, required BIOS settings (Intel VT or AMD-V) and a configuration file. You can use the VHDx file (Available at c:\Dell_OEM\VM) with Hyper-V to create virtual machines (VMs) in seconds [subject to Microsoft's normal licensing restrictions (two per Standard license and unlimited for Datacenter)]. Since this is also a multilingual VHDx, you can use it to install any Dell supported languages.
Script to switch between Server core & full OS and to retrieve iDRAC IP address
A PowerShell module “DellTools.psm1” (Available at c:\Dell_OEM\PSModule) has been provided to assist with common tasks of switching between Full GUI OS and ServerCore. The module includes a function that allows you to configure your system in “Server with a GUI” mode then convert over to “Server Core” to place the system in production and can be used to switch back for configuration, troubleshooting or other needs. Also, the module provides the capability to retrieve the IP address of the iDRAC of the server from the OS.
Update rollup (KB2883200) and .NET Framework 4.x engine Native Image Cache regeneration
Microsoft released a update rollup just after the RTM of Windows Server 2012 R2 which carries much needed fixes and it is of around 225MB size. You get the update rollup factory installed which reduces significant time for you. Since the Rollup includes certain fixes to .Net Framework, the native image cache will be invalidated which will significantly impact performance of managed-code applications until a complete regeneration of the Native Image Cache is performed. It is a very time-consuming and CPU intensive operation. We have done it for you J
Support for Essential as role
From Windows Server 2012 R2, Microsoft has introduced Essential as role in Standard and Datacenter edition for the customer who wants to experiment with Essential role. We have included the same customizations like brandings that we have done for Essential OS to the Standard and Datacenter edition to provide similar experience as essential OS to you when you enable the Essential role.
For more information about optimizing your Dell hardware for use with Windows Server 2012 R2, visit the Dell TechCenter wiki page for Windows Server 2012 R2.