{"product_id":"microsoft-windows-server-2016-datacenter-retail-2-pc","title":"Microsoft Windows Server 2016 Datacenter Retail [2 PC]","description":"\u003ch2\u003eWindows Server 2016 Datacenter: Unlimited Virtualization With the New Core\/CAL Model\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/microsoft-windows-server-2016-datacenter-retail-2-pc\"\u003eMicrosoft Windows Server 2016 Datacenter\u003c\/a\u003e is the high-end edition of Microsoft's 2016 server platform, designed for highly virtualized, software-defined datacenters and mission-critical application hosting. The 2016 release is the first to ship with the Core\/CAL licensing model that replaced the Processor + CAL model of the 2012 and 2008 R2 platforms, and the first to ship with Storage Spaces Direct, Software-Defined Networking, Shielded Virtual Machines, and the Nano Server installation option. Your key is delivered to your account dashboard within seconds of payment clearing, ready to paste into the activation dialog on a clean or upgraded install. If the key fails to activate for any reason within 7 days, you get a one-to-one replacement key or a full refund — your choice, no questions asked. Activate on a clean install or upgrade in place, and bring your datacenter services online within minutes. 🖥️⚙️\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat Is Included and How Activation Works\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen your order is confirmed, you receive a 25-character \u003ca href=\"\/products\/microsoft-windows-server-2016-essentials-retail-5-pc\"\u003eWindows Server 2016 Essentials\u003c\/a\u003e Datacenter product key delivered to your account dashboard and your order email. The key is a genuine, unused Microsoft activation key for the Datacenter edition, and it is licensed under the Core\/CAL model. Each physical core on the licensed host requires a Datacenter license, with a minimum of 8 core licenses per processor and 16 core licenses per server. The 2PC license covers two physical cores; additional 2PC packs can be added to reach the required core count. A \u003ca href=\"\/products\/microsoft-windows-server-2019-datacenter-mak-volume-1000-pc\"\u003eWindows Server 2019 Datacenter\u003c\/a\u003e CAL is required for each user or device that accesses the server. The license is perpetual: it is valid for the lifetime of the server hardware, and you can reinstall and reactivate the same hardware after a clean rebuild without losing the license.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe standard activation flow takes about ten minutes on a server with internet access:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eInstall \u003ca href=\"\/products\/microsoft-windows-server-2016-r2-standard-retail-2-pc\"\u003eWindows Server 2016 R2 Standard\u003c\/a\u003e Datacenter from official Microsoft media or a clean ISO.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSign in to the server with administrator rights.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOpen the \u003cstrong\u003eSystem Properties\u003c\/strong\u003e panel or the \u003cstrong\u003eSettings → System → Activation\u003c\/strong\u003e page and choose \u003cstrong\u003eChange product key\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEnter the 25-character key from your order email and confirm.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWait for the activation server to confirm the license, then configure server roles and features as required.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor air-gapped servers, activation can be completed by phone through the Microsoft Activation Center. Because Datacenter is licensed by physical core, the server's core count determines the number of Datacenter licenses required. Downgrading to an earlier \u003ca href=\"\/products\/microsoft-windows-server-2019-datacenter-retail-2-pc\"\u003eWindows Server\u003c\/a\u003e release is not included with this retail key.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eKey Features and Capabilities\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eUnlimited Hyper-V virtualization rights.\u003c\/strong\u003e Run one \u003ca href=\"\/products\/microsoft-windows-server-2012-datacenter-retail-5-pc\"\u003eWindows Server 2012 Datacenter\u003c\/a\u003e instance in the physical OSE plus an unlimited number of instances in virtual OSEs on the same licensed host. This is the edition's defining capability and the reason it is the right choice for large virtualization farms.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHyper-V with nested virtualization and Shielded VMs.\u003c\/strong\u003e Run Hyper-V inside a Hyper-V virtual machine for test and development scenarios, and protect production virtual machines with Shielded VMs and the Host Guardian Service. Shielded VMs are the first practical implementation of a hardware-rooted VM security model in the Windows Server line.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStorage Spaces Direct.\u003c\/strong\u003e Build software-defined storage across a cluster of servers using local storage on each server. Storage Spaces Direct is a first-class feature of 2016 Datacenter and turns commodity server storage into an enterprise-class shared storage pool.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStorage Replica.\u003c\/strong\u003e Replicate volumes between servers and clusters for disaster recovery, with synchronous and asynchronous replication modes. Storage Replica is a Datacenter-only feature and is the right answer for site-to-site replication scenarios.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNano Server installation option.\u003c\/strong\u003e A minimal-foothead installation option designed for container hosts and cloud-optimized workloads. Nano Server was removed as a stand-alone installation option in the next release, which makes 2016 the canonical release for Nano Server deployments.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoftware-defined networking.\u003c\/strong\u003e The network controller, the virtual filtering platform, and the software load balancer are first-class features of 2016 Datacenter, with full support for hybrid cloud networking scenarios.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eActive Directory with Privileged Access Management.\u003c\/strong\u003e Active Directory Domain Services with the Privileged Access Management feature for time-bound and just-in-time administrative access. PAM is the right answer for organizations that need to control privileged access to Active Directory.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eContainers with Hyper-V isolation.\u003c\/strong\u003e Run Windows Server containers with Hyper-V isolation for hardened multi-tenant container deployments. Container support on 2016 Datacenter includes Kubernetes on Windows through the modern container runtime integration.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLarge-system scale.\u003c\/strong\u003e Up to 512 physical cores and 24 TB of physical memory per server, which at the time of release was the maximum supported by any Windows Server edition.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCore\/CAL licensing.\u003c\/strong\u003e Each physical core on the licensed host requires a Datacenter license, with a minimum of 8 core licenses per processor and 16 core licenses per server. Core licenses are sold in 2-pack and 16-pack units. The 2PC license covers two physical cores.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWho This Edition Is For\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/microsoft-windows-server-2016-standard-retail-2-pc\"\u003eWindows Server 2016 Standard\u003c\/a\u003e Datacenter is the right edition for large and demanding Windows Server deployments. The personas below describe the most common buyers of the Datacenter license.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLarge virtualization hosts and private clouds.\u003c\/strong\u003e If you operate a Hyper-V cluster with many virtual machines on each host, the unlimited virtualization rights of Datacenter are the most cost-effective way to license the workload. The break-even against multiple Standard licenses is reached quickly.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoftware-defined datacenters.\u003c\/strong\u003e Storage Spaces Direct, Storage Replica, and software-defined networking make 2016 Datacenter the right edition for the modern software-defined datacenter pattern that Microsoft introduced with this release.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eShielded VM and Host Guardian Service deployments.\u003c\/strong\u003e Datacenter is the only 2016 edition that supports Shielded VMs and the Host Guardian Service, which are the right answer for protecting production virtual machines against tampering and unauthorized access.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLine-of-business database and messaging servers.\u003c\/strong\u003e SQL Server and Exchange Server farms benefit from the 512-core and 24 TB memory ceiling, and the modern storage and networking features that 2016 Datacenter supports.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eSystem Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/microsoft-windows-server-2016-standard-retail-5-pc\"\u003eWindows Server 2016\u003c\/a\u003e is a 64-bit-only release. The minimum hardware baseline is modest for a server operating system of this era, but production deployments should follow Microsoft's \u003ca href=\"\/products\/microsoft-windows-server-2016-rds-device-cal-50-cal\"\u003eWindows Server 2016 RDS Device CAL\u003c\/a\u003e certification program for guaranteed compatibility.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eComponent\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eMinimum\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRecommended\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eProcessor\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1.4 GHz 64-bit (x64), with NX and DEP support\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMulti-core 64-bit server CPU at 2 GHz or higher\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePhysical cores\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum 1 core; Core\/CAL licensing requires a 16-core minimum per server\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8 to 24 cores for typical Datacenter hosts\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRAM\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e2 GB for Server with Desktop Experience\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e16 GB or more for production hosts\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eStorage\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e32 GB system partition\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSSD or NVMe with 100 GB or more free\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNetwork\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGigabit Ethernet adapter\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10 GbE for virtualization hosts and storage clusters\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFirmware\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eUEFI with Secure Boot\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eUEFI with Secure Boot and TPM 2.0 for Host Guardian Service\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum supported scale\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e32-bit not supported\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eUp to 24 TB RAM and 512 physical cores\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMicrosoft's Windows Server Catalog is the authoritative list of hardware certified for \u003ca href=\"\/products\/microsoft-windows-server-2016-rds-user-cal-50-cal\"\u003eWindows Server 2016.\u003c\/a\u003e For production Datacenter deployments, certified server hardware from major OEMs is strongly recommended; non-certified hardware may not receive driver updates and may not support all of the high-availability features such as Storage Spaces Direct and Shielded VMs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eActivation and Licensing Notes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYour Windows Server 2016 Datacenter digital license is a perpetual, one-server license tied to the physical server hardware on which it is first activated. A few details worth knowing up front:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCore\/CAL model.\u003c\/strong\u003e Each physical core on the licensed host requires a Datacenter license. A minimum of 8 core licenses is required per physical processor, and a minimum of 16 core licenses is required per server, even if the server has fewer physical cores. The 2PC license is the smallest unit; combine as needed to reach the 16-core minimum.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCALs are required for users and devices.\u003c\/strong\u003e Every user or device that accesses the server requires a Windows Server CAL. CALs are sold separately in User or Device form.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eUnlimited virtualization.\u003c\/strong\u003e The Datacenter license entitles the host to run one physical instance and an unlimited number of virtual instances of Windows Server.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eVolume Licensing downgrade rights are not included.\u003c\/strong\u003e This retail key activates the 2016 edition only. For downgrade rights to earlier Windows Server releases, a Microsoft Volume Licensing agreement is the right path.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReinstalls are supported on the same hardware.\u003c\/strong\u003e Format the storage, replace failed disks, or rebuild the server from scratch: reactivate using the same product key on the same hardware. The activation server re-recognizes the entitlement.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMicrosoft support timeline.\u003c\/strong\u003e Windows Server 2016 mainstream support ended on January 11, 2022. Extended support continues through January 12, 2027, with security updates only. Plan a migration to a current Windows Server version before extended support ends.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eGet Started With Windows Server 2016 Datacenter\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBuying a Windows Server 2016 Datacenter digital license is the simplest way to put a fully activated, enterprise-class virtualization platform on a physical server. Once the order is confirmed, the key is in your inbox, the activation steps are above, and the server is ready to host Hyper-V, Storage Spaces Direct, and the modern software-defined datacenter workloads in one short session. If you have any questions about whether Datacenter is the right edition for your hardware, your workload, or your licensing model, our support team is on hand before and after the purchase.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eMicrosoft Windows Server 2016 Datacenter Alternatives\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThree credible alternatives cover most server workloads depending on your requirements.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eLinux Server (Ubuntu LTS or RHEL)\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eFree or low-cost, runs most modern web, container, and database workloads, and is widely supported by cloud providers.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWindows Server on Azure \/ AWS \/ GCP\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eManaged cloud versions of Windows Server with pay-as-you-go licensing. Removes the need for an on-premises licence key.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWindows Server LTSC container images\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eMicrosoft-published container images for development and CI\/CD scenarios. Free for development but require a licence for production use.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow to choose:\u003c\/strong\u003e Stay on Windows Server if you run Active Directory, SQL Server, Exchange, or .NET Framework line-of-business apps. Move to Linux server for new web and container workloads. Move to cloud-managed Windows Server to remove licence management overhead.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdetails\u003e\n\u003csummary\u003eWhat is the difference between Datacenter, Standard, and Essentials?\u003c\/summary\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStandard is licensed by physical core and entitles the host to run one physical instance and up to two virtual instances of Windows Server, with up to 512 cores and 24 TB of memory. Datacenter is also licensed by physical core and entitles the host to one physical and an unlimited number of virtual instances, with the same 512-core and 24 TB memory ceiling and the modern storage and networking features that are unique to Datacenter. Essentials is licensed per server with no CALs required, with a 25-user \/ 50-device limit, no virtualization, a 2-processor ceiling, and a 64 GB memory ceiling. Standard is the mainstream edition for most small and mid-size deployments; Datacenter is the right choice for large virtualization hosts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails\u003e\n\u003csummary\u003eHow many core licenses do I need for a two-processor server?\u003c\/summary\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Core\/CAL model requires one license per physical core, with a minimum of 8 core licenses per physical processor and 16 core licenses per server. A typical 2-socket, 8-core-per-socket server has 16 physical cores and requires 16 core licenses, which is the same as the 16-core minimum. Larger servers require one core license per physical core. The 2PC license is the smallest unit of sale.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails\u003e\n\u003csummary\u003eDo I need a CAL for every user that opens a file on the server?\u003c\/summary\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. A Windows Server CAL is required for every user or device that accesses server services such as file services, print services, or Active Directory authentication. The user-or-device choice is yours: User CALs are the more cost-effective model when one user connects from many devices; Device CALs are the more cost-effective model when many users share a small number of devices.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails\u003e\n\u003csummary\u003eCan I run Linux virtual machines on the same Datacenter host?\u003c\/summary\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Hyper-V in Windows Server 2016 supports Linux guest operating systems, including SUSE Linux Enterprise Server, Red Hat Enterprise Linux, CentOS, Ubuntu, and others. Linux virtual machines on Hyper-V do not require a Windows Server license for the guest, but the host still needs a Windows Server Datacenter license for the unlimited virtualization rights.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails\u003e\n\u003csummary\u003eDoes this include SQL Server or Exchange Server?\u003c\/summary\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. Windows Server 2016 Datacenter is the server operating system only. SQL Server, Exchange Server, and other Microsoft server products are sold and licensed separately.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails\u003e\n\u003csummary\u003eHow long does delivery take?\u003c\/summary\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe product key is delivered to your account dashboard and order confirmation email immediately after payment is confirmed, typically within seconds. The installation and activation flow on the target server takes about ten minutes on a modern server with a broadband connection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\n","brand":"Microsoft","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":59850922295377,"sku":"MS-144-MICROSOFT-WINDOWS-SERVER-2016-DATACENTER","price":9.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1059\/0191\/6241\/files\/microsoft-windows-server-2016-datacenter-retail-2-pc.webp?v=1784725663","url":"https:\/\/dotkeys.net\/products\/microsoft-windows-server-2016-datacenter-retail-2-pc","provider":"DotKeys","version":"1.0","type":"link"}