At a Glance: SQL Server 2008 R2 vs. SQL Server 2012

* Notable differences in Orange

Product Highlights

SQL Server 2008 R2 SQL Server 2012
  • Information platform for applications of all sizes
  • Managed, familiar self-service BI tools
  • Support for large-scale data centers and data warehouses
  • Opportunities to build and extend applications in the cloud
  • Integration with the Microsoft Application Platform
  • AlwaysOn high availability
  • Blazing-fast performance
  • Optimized for private cloud
  • Enterprise security/compliance
  • Multi-server manageability
  • Rapid data discovery
  • Managed self-service analytics
  • Single BI semantic model
  • Data quality and management

Editions

SQL Server 2008 R2 SQL Server 2012
  • Datacenter*
  • Enterprise
  • Standard
  • Small Business*
  • Workgroup*
  • PDW
  • Web
  • Developer
  • Express
  • Compact
  • Enterprise
  • BI*
  • Standard
  • PDW
  • Web
  • Developer
  • Express
  • Compact

Licensing Models

SQL Server 2008 R2 SQL Server 2012
  • Standard
    Server/CAL Per Processor*
  • Enterprise
    Server/CAL or Per Processor*
  • Datacenter
    Per Processor
  • Standard
    Server/CAL Per Core*
  • BI
    Server/CAL
  • Enterprise
    Per Core*

Virtualizations

SQL Server 2008 R2 SQL Server 2012
  • Standard
    Run a single VM per license
  • Enterprise
    Run up to 4 VMs per license
  • Datacenter
    Run unlimited VMs per license
  • Enterprise
    License all cores on physical hardware to run unlimited VMs*
  • Standard/Enterprise
    License a single VM based on virtual processor used*