[There's a reason that Yoda is the unofficial mascot of SBS. Size indeed matters not.] Windows 2012 Essentials on Action Pack - THE OFFICIAL BLOG OF THE SBS DIVA
Tue, Oct 16 2012 16:57 bradley

Windows 2012 Essentials on Action Pack

https://www.microsoft.com/msppdd/Catalog/ComponentDownload.aspx?p=/wEPBQcxMDAwMTAxBQIyMw==

Assuming that link works... it's where you can download the Action pack version of Windows 2012 Essentials.

And check out these virtual labs:

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-US/evalcenter/jj659308.aspx

http://aka.ms/bqa5ay

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# re: Windows 2012 Essentials on Action Pack

Wednesday, October 17, 2012 8:14 AM by Nirmal

Error Code: 100

User not authorized for digital distribution.

# re: Windows 2012 Essentials on Action Pack

Wednesday, October 17, 2012 9:12 AM by bradley

I'm sorry, what is the error code in regards to?  The action pack download or the virtual lab?

# re: Windows 2012 Essentials on Action Pack

Wednesday, October 17, 2012 10:43 AM by Nirmal

Yes, Error is thrown for download link. It takes me to Microsoft Network Partner but I am not :)

Best, N

# re: Windows 2012 Essentials on Action Pack

Wednesday, October 17, 2012 10:56 AM by bradley

Right, Action pack is a subscription plan for MS partners.  If you are not a MS partner (and if you sell services to users of technology, why not?) then you need to go to Technet subscription to download the Essentials for testing, or use the eval versions.

technet.microsoft.com/.../jj659306.aspx

# re: Windows 2012 Essentials on Action Pack

Wednesday, October 17, 2012 12:31 PM by Nirmal

Fair enough -

Well, I don't sell but yes design tools to be distributed for free. Can a free seller become MS Partner also and how it works? MS doesn't charge and what it takes to become a partner?

Many thanks for whatever answers you have in your mind!

Best, N

# re: Windows 2012 Essentials on Action Pack

Wednesday, October 17, 2012 12:38 PM by bradley

A Microsoft partner should be someone in business to sell/design/deliver products built on Microsoft software to customers.

Do you have a business?

Signing up is free, the Action pack, which provides a limited amount of software that one can use for production use has an annual fee of about $300 (US).

It's similar in price to Technet but Technet is for testing/Action pack you can use in production use.

# re: Windows 2012 Essentials on Action Pack

Wednesday, October 17, 2012 12:49 PM by Nirmal

What does an Action Pack do? Is it a peice of code?

Nope - no business here.

<Quote>

Small organizations want to focus on their core business, not on managing an IT infrastructure. Windows Server 2012 Essentials can help to minimize the time, effort, and money that you spend on IT.

<End Quote>

What makes MS come to this statement for SBS in particular? How does SBS help minimize time and effort? Not necessrily you need to elaborate on this but this drives me to think something which I have not measured yet for any product in IT.

# re: Windows 2012 Essentials on Action Pack

Wednesday, October 17, 2012 12:54 PM by bradley

Action pack is not code, it's a bundle of licenses.  Like Technet, but the eula allows you to use it for production use, not just for testing.

Microsoft is referring to the fact that they have the user wizards which makes it easier to set up.