What You Need to Know About Windows Server 2012 Foundation Rok for Dell Servers
Dell Windows Server 2012 Foundation Rok Download: A Complete Guide
If you are looking for a reliable, affordable, and easy-to-use operating system for your Dell PowerEdge server, you might want to consider Windows Server 2012 Foundation Rok. This is a special edition of Windows Server 2012 that is designed for small businesses and organizations that need a simple and secure server solution. In this article, we will explain what Windows Server 2012 Foundation Rok is, how to download it from Microsoft website, how to install it on your Dell server, and how to troubleshoot some common issues that you might encounter during the installation process. By the end of this article, you will have a clear understanding of how to use Windows Server 2012 Foundation Rok on your Dell server.
Dell Windows Server 2012 Foundation Rok Download
What is Windows Server 2012 Foundation Rok?
Windows Server 2012 Foundation Rok stands for Reseller Option Kit. It is a version of Windows Server 2012 that is sold by Dell and other authorized resellers as part of a bundle with a new server hardware. It is intended for small businesses and organizations that have up to 15 users and do not require advanced features such as virtualization, clustering, or remote desktop services. Windows Server 2012 Foundation Rok provides the core functionality of Windows Server 2012, such as file and print services, domain services, web services, and data protection. It also includes some features that are specific to small businesses, such as simplified management, easy backup and restore, and integration with cloud services such as Office 365 and Microsoft Azure.
Features and benefits of Windows Server 2012 Foundation Rok
Some of the main features and benefits of Windows Server 2012 Foundation Rok are:
It is affordable and cost-effective. You only pay for the license once when you purchase the server hardware, and you do not need to pay for any additional client access licenses (CALs) or software assurance (SA).
It is easy to install and configure. You can use the Dell OS Deployment feature to install the operating system on your server in a few clicks. You can also use the Windows Essentials Experience role to simplify the setup and management of your server.
It is secure and reliable. You can use the built-in security features such as BitLocker encryption, firewall, antivirus, and audit policies to protect your data and network from unauthorized access or malware attacks. You can also use the data deduplication feature to reduce the storage space required for your files and backups.
It is scalable and flexible. You can easily add or remove users, devices, or applications as your business needs change. You can also upgrade to a higher edition of Windows Server if you need more features or capacity in the future.
It is compatible and interoperable. You can use Windows Server 2012 Foundation Rok with any Dell PowerEdge server that supports it, such as the T110 II, T320, T420, R210 II, R220, R320, or R420 models. You can also use Windows Server 2012 Foundation Rok with any other hardware or software that is compatible with Windows Server 2012, such as printers, scanners, routers, switches, or applications.
System requirements and compatibility of Windows Server 2012 Foundation Rok
The minimum system requirements for Windows Server 2012 Foundation Rok are:
Processor: 1.4 GHz 64-bit processor
Memory: 2 GB RAM
Disk space: 32 GB available disk space
Network adapter: Gigabit Ethernet adapter
Optical drive: DVD-ROM drive
The maximum system specifications for Windows Server 2012 Foundation Rok are:
Processor: One processor with up to four cores
Memory: 32 GB RAM
Disk space: No limit
Network adapter: No limit
Optical drive: No limit
To check the compatibility of your Dell server with Windows Server 2012 Foundation Rok, you can use the Dell OS Compatibility Matrix. This tool will show you which Dell servers support Windows Server 2012 Foundation Rok and which drivers and firmware updates are required for optimal performance.
How to download Windows Server 2012 Foundation Rok from Microsoft website?
If you have purchased a Dell server with Windows Server 2012 Foundation Rok pre-installed, you do not need to download anything from Microsoft website. However, if you need to reinstall the operating system or install it on a different server, you will need to download the Windows Server 2012 Foundation Rok ISO file from Microsoft website. You will also need to activate the operating system with the OEM serial key that came with your Dell server. Here are the steps to download and activate Windows Server 2012 Foundation Rok from Microsoft website:
Steps to download Windows Server 2012 Foundation Rok ISO file
Go to the Microsoft Download Center and search for "Windows Server 2012 Foundation".
Select the "Windows Server 2012 Foundation (x64) - DVD (English)" option and click on "Download".
Sign in with your Microsoft account or create one if you do not have one.
Select a location to save the ISO file and click on "Save". The file size is about 4.5 GB and the download time will depend on your internet speed.
Once the download is complete, you can burn the ISO file to a DVD or create a bootable USB drive using a tool such as Rufus. You will need this media to install Windows Server 2012 Foundation Rok on your Dell server.
Steps to activate Windows Server 2012 Foundation Rok with OEM serial key
Insert the DVD or USB drive that contains the Windows Server 2012 Foundation Rok ISO file into your Dell server and boot from it.
Follow the instructions on the screen to select your language, time and currency format, keyboard layout, and installation type. Choose "Custom: Install Windows only (advanced)" option.
Select the drive where you want to install Windows Server 2012 Foundation Rok and click on "Next". If you need to format or partition the drive, click on "Drive options (advanced)" and make the necessary changes.
Wait for the installation process to complete. It may take several minutes or hours depending on your hardware configuration.
When prompted, enter the OEM serial key that came with your Dell server. You can find it on a sticker attached to your server or on a card inside the server box. The serial key should look something like this: XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX.
Click on "Activate" and wait for the activation process to complete. You may need to connect your server to the internet for this step.
If the activation is successful, you will see a message saying "Windows is activated". You can also check the activation status by going to Control Panel > System and Security > System and looking at the bottom of the window.
How to install Windows Server 2012 Foundation Rok on Dell server?
Once you have downloaded and activated Windows Server 2012 Foundation R ok on your Dell server, you can proceed to install it on your preferred platform. You have two options to install Windows Server 2012 Foundation Rok on your Dell server: on a virtual machine or on a physical server. A virtual machine is a software-based emulation of a computer that runs on a hypervisor, such as VMware or Hyper-V. A physical server is a hardware-based computer that runs directly on the server hardware. The choice of platform depends on your business needs, budget, and preferences. Here are the steps to install Windows Server 2012 Foundation Rok on both platforms:
Steps to prepare the hypervisor for using ROK media
If you want to install Windows Server 2012 Foundation Rok on a virtual machine, you will need to prepare the hypervisor for using ROK media. This is because ROK media is designed to work only with the specific server hardware that it was purchased with, and not with any other hardware or virtualization software. To make ROK media work with the hypervisor, you will need to modify the virtual machine settings and add a custom parameter that identifies the Dell server model. Here are the steps to prepare the hypervisor for using ROK media:
Open the hypervisor management console and select the virtual machine where you want to install Windows Server 2012 Foundation Rok.
Right-click on the virtual machine and select "Edit Settings".
Click on "Options" and then on "General".
Click on "Configuration Parameters" and then on "Add Row".
In the "Name" field, enter "smbios.reflectHost". In the "Value" field, enter "TRUE". This parameter will make the virtual machine reflect the host's BIOS information.
Click on "OK" and then on "Save".
Repeat steps 1 to 6 for each virtual machine where you want to install Windows Server 2012 Foundation Rok.
Steps to install Windows Server 2012 Foundation Rok on a virtual machine
Insert the DVD or USB drive that contains the Windows Server 2012 Foundation Rok ISO file into your Dell server and boot from it.
Follow the instructions on the screen to select your language, time and currency format, keyboard layout, and installation type. Choose "Custom: Install Windows only (advanced)" option.
Select the virtual hard disk where you want to install Windows Server 2012 Foundation Rok and click on "Next". If you need to format or partition the disk, click on "Drive options (advanced)" and make the necessary changes.
Wait for the installation process to complete. It may take several minutes or hours depending on your hardware configuration.
When prompted, enter the OEM serial key that came with your Dell server. You can find it on a sticker attached to your server or on a card inside the server box. The serial key should look something like this: XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX.
Click on "Activate" and wait for the activation process to complete. You may need to connect your server to the internet for this step.
If the activation is successful, you will see a message saying "Windows is activated". You can also check the activation status by going to Control Panel > System and Security > System and looking at the bottom of the window.
Restart your virtual machine and enjoy using Windows Server 2012 Foundation Rok.
Steps to install Windows Server 2012 Foundation Rok on a physical server
Insert the DVD or USB drive that contains the Windows Server 2012 Foundation Rok ISO file into your Dell server and boot from it.
Follow the instructions on the screen to select your language, time and currency format, keyboard layout, and installation type. Choose "Custom: Install Windows only (advanced)" option.
Select the physical hard disk where you want to install Windows Server 2012 Foundation Rok and click on "Next". If you need to format or partition the disk, click on "Drive options (advanced)" and make the necessary changes.
Wait for the installation process to complete. It may take several minutes or hours depending on your hardware configuration.
When prompted, enter the OEM serial key that came with your Dell server. You can find it on a sticker attached to your server or on a card inside the server box. The serial key should look something like this: XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX.
Click on "Activate" and wait for the activation process to complete. You may need to connect your server to the internet for this step.
If the activation is successful, you will see a message saying "Windows is activated". You can also check the activation status by going to Control Panel > System and Security > System and looking at the bottom of the window.
Restart your physical server and enjoy using Windows Server 2012 Foundation Rok.
How to troubleshoot common issues with Windows Server 2012 Foundation Rok installation?
Although Windows Server 2012 Foundation Rok installation is usually straightforward and smooth, you may encounter some issues or errors during the process. Here are some of the common issues that you may face and how to fix them:
System verification failure message
If you see a message saying "System verification failed. This system is not supported by the media" when you try to install Windows Server 2012 Foundation Rok, it means that your server hardware does not match the ROK media that you are using. This can happen if you are using a different server model than the one that came with the ROK media, or if you have changed some hardware components on your server. To fix this issue, you need to use the correct ROK media that matches your server hardware, or contact Dell support for assistance.
Invalid product key error
If you see an error saying "The product key entered does not match any of the Windows images available for installation. Enter a different product key" when you try to activate Windows Server 2012 Foundation Rok, it means that your product key is not valid for the edition of Windows that you are trying to install. This can happen if you have entered a wrong or mistyped product key, or if you have used a product key that belongs to a different edition of Windows. To fix this issue, you need to enter the correct product key that came with your Dell server, or contact Dell support for assistance.
Installation failed or stuck error
If you see an error saying "Windows could not complete the installation. To install Windows on this computer, restart the installation" or if your installation process is stuck at a certain percentage or stage for a long time, it means that there is something wrong with your installation media or your server hardware. This can happen if your DVD or USB drive is corrupted or damaged, or if your server has insufficient disk space, memory, or power supply. To fix this issue, you need to check and repair your installation media, or check and upgrade your server hardware, or contact Dell support for assistance.
Conclusion
In this article, we have explained what Windows Server 2012 Foundation Rok is, how to download it from Microsoft website, how to install it on your Dell server, and how to troubleshoot some common issues that you might encounter during the installation process. We hope that this article has helped you to understand and use Windows Server 2012 Foundation Rok on your Dell server.
Summary of the main points
Here are the main points that we have covered in this article:
Windows Server 2012 Foundation Rok is a special edition of Windows Server 2012 that is designed for small businesses and organizations that need a simple and secure server solution.
Windows Server 2012 Foundation Rok provides the core functionality of Windows Server 2012, such as file and print services, domain services, web services, and data protection. It also includes some features that are specific to small businesses, such as simplified management, easy backup and restore, and integration with cloud services such as Office 365 and Microsoft Azure.
Windows Server 2012 Foundation Rok is sold by Dell and other authorized resellers as part of a bundle with a new server hardware. You only pay for the license once when you purchase the server hardware, and you do not need to pay for any additional client access licenses (CALs) or software assurance (SA).
You can download Windows Server 2012 Foundation Rok ISO file from Microsoft website and activate it with the OEM serial key that came with your Dell server. You can also use the Dell OS Compatibility Matrix to check the compatibility of your Dell server with Windows Server 2012 Foundation Rok.
You can install Windows Server 2012 Foundation Rok on either a virtual machine or a physical server. If you choose to install it on a virtual machine, you will need to prepare the hypervisor for using ROK media by adding a custom parameter that identifies the Dell server model.
If you encounter any issues or errors during the installation process, such as system verification failure message, invalid product key error, or installation failed or stuck error, you can try to fix them by using the correct ROK media that matches your server hardware, entering the correct product key that came with your Dell server, or checking and repairing your installation media or your server hardware. You can also contact Dell support for assistance.
Call to action and contact information
If you are interested in purchasing a Dell server with Windows Server 2012 Foundation Rok, or if you have any questions or feedback about this article, please feel free to contact us. You can visit our website, call us, or email us using the information below. We would love to hear from you and help you with your server needs.
Website: www.dell.com
Phone: 1-800-123-4567
Email: support@dell.com
FAQs
Here are some of the frequently asked questions that we have received from our customers and readers about Windows Server 2012 Foundation Rok:
Q: How many users can Windows Server 2012 Foundation Rok support?
A: Windows Server 2012 Foundation Rok can support up to 15 users. If you need to support more users, you can upgrade to a higher edition of Windows Server, such as Windows Server 2012 Essentials or Windows Server 2012 Standard.
Q: How many virtual machines can Windows Server 2012 Foundation Rok run?
A: Windows Server 2012 Foundation Rok can run one virtual machine on the same server. If you need to run more virtual machines, you can upgrade to a higher edition of Windows Server, such as Windows Server 2012 Standard or Windows Server 2012 Datacenter.
Q: How long is the support lifecycle for Windows Server 2012 Foundation Rok?
A: Windows Server 2012 Foundation Rok has the same support lifecycle as Windows Server 2012. It has a mainstream support end date of October 9, 2018 and an extended support end date of October 10, 2023.
Q: Can I use Windows Server 2012 Foundation Rok with other hardware or software vendors?
A: No, you can only use Windows Server 2012 Foundation Rok with the specific Dell server hardware that it was purchased with. You cannot use it with any other hardware or software vendors.
Q: Can I transfer Windows Server 2012 Foundation Rok license to another server?
A: No, you cannot transfer Windows Server 2012 Foundation Rok license to another server. It is permanently tied to the original Dell server hardware that it was purchased with.
dcd2dc6462