The pending launch of Windows Server 2012 release 2 focuses on offering a number of advanced capabilities in storage and networking, which used to require the purchase of additional software, or even a full-fledged storage system.



From Computerworld:

"We see networking and storage as the next places where we can help customers increase their agility and reduce their cost," said Michael Schutz, Microsoft general manager Windows Server product marketing. "We are taking the lessons we have in building and operating our cloud services in networking, storage and compute, and bringing them to our customers on premise."

Microsoft announced the update at the company's TechEd North America conference this week in New Orleans. The company plans to release a preview of Windows Server 2012 R2 by the end of the month and issue the full edition by the end of the year.

  Windows Server 2012 R2 bulks up on storage and networking