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Is the R2 version just a major update for the original product with the same name (e.g. Windows 2012 vs Windows 2012 R2) or are they actually considered separate products that must be purchased (or upgraded to, much like going from Windows Vista to Windows 7)? From what I have seen they are considered separate products but I cannot seem to find a definitive answer.

peterh
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Mike Cheel
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    Yes, they are separate products. From a licensing standpoint, owning a license for the non-R2 version does not entitle you to an upgrade to the R2 version. From a technical standpoint, performing an in-place upgrade from Windows Server 2012 to Windows Server 2012 R2 is supported. – joeqwerty Aug 07 '14 at 17:42
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    possible duplicate of [Can you help me with my software licensing issue?](http://serverfault.com/questions/215405/can-you-help-me-with-my-software-licensing-issue) – Zoredache Aug 07 '14 at 18:01
  • Not a dupe. I'm trying to find out whether the things with R2 in their name are a separate product or are just an update to an existing product. – Mike Cheel Aug 07 '14 at 18:02

3 Answers3

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From a technical point. R2 (and R2 - System Center gets one now I hear) are major upgrades without CORE upgrades. I.e. the existing codebase is extended, new features go in.

New versions often have major internal changes.

This is a little like Intel Tick/Tock approach. R2 tries to make the existing code better, while new products allow major rework (like new driver models). Obviously with a huge grey area.

ewwhite
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TomTom
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My Product Keys for R2 versions (SQL Server, Windows Server, System Center) do not work with the non-R2 versions, and vice versa. Upgrading SQL Server 2008 to service pack 1 does not require a new product key; upgrading it to SQL Server 2008 R2 does require a new key.

That suggests to me that they are separate products.

Greenstone Walker
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You could see the R2 releases as a major minor update or a major minor update to the software (sharing the same codebase), but they are separate versions since keys will not work on both. If you have an active SA (software assurance) subscription for the software, you obviously have the right to upgrade without additional cost.

The product lifecycle is (generally) the same when it comes to mainstream & extended support milestones. This means that (usually) when the 'normal' version goes end-of-life, so does the corresponding 'R2'. There have been exceptions to this, but Microsoft is trying to sync those together due to issues & complaints in the past. For example, 2003 SP2 & 2003 R2 SP2 will both be end-of-support in mid 2015. 2008 SP2 & 2008 R2 SP1 are going end of mainstream support by end of this year (but will have extended support well into the future).

GVD
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