Microsoft has released Windows Server 2016 a few months ago. This edition includes new features as well as some great new updates. We will highlight a few of these features and updates in this post.
New Layers of Security
Security is a top priority when running your applications on your server. Windows Server 2016 provides new functionalities to detect suspicious activities and to prevent attacks from happening. With the new possibilities, you will be able to control privileged access, protect your virtual server which will make your platform stronger against vulnerabilities and threats.
Nano Server
Windows Server has introduced Nano Server which was developed under the name “Tuva”. Nano server is a purpose-built operating system, it is designed to run cloud applications and to form a platform for containers. Nano Server offers a few advantages, it has faster restarts, better resource utilization and it provides denser security due to the fewer operating system components. It also promises fewer patches and updates.
Hyper-V
Windows Server 2016 also offers a number of improvements to Hyper-V. You are now able to manage earlier Windows versions running Hyper-V. These versions are: Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2012 and Windows Server 2012 R2.
Using different set of credentials
The improvements in Hyper-V doesn’t end here. You can also use different credentials in Hyper-V Manager when connecting to another Windows Server 2016 or Windows 10 remote host. It is also possible to save your credentials this will make it easy for you to login again.
Hyper-V Management protocol is updated
You can now communicate with remote Hyper-V hosts using the WS-MAN protocol. This allows CredSSP, Kerberos and NTLM authentication. You can use CredSSP to connect to a remote Hyper-V host, this will enable you to do a live migration without enabling constrained delegation in Active Directory. The WS Management protocol makes it easier for you to enable a host for remote management, it connects over port 80 which is open by default.
Cloud-Inspired Networking
This edition provides cloud-inspired technologies, you can safely deploy and run your existing applications on Windows Server 2016 and transform them into new cloud-native models using the latest technologies such as containers, microservices, and Nano server.
Reduced Cost of Storage
Windows Server 2016 includes expanded capabilities in software-defined storage, the main focus it to increase control and reduce your costs.
Per core licensing
Microsoft has also made some changes to the Windows Server licensing. The supplier switched from server licensing per processor to per core licensing for Windows Server 2016. What does this mean for you? It means that one Windows Server 2016 License will cover two cores.
How many licenses you need depends on the number of cores in your processor (with 8 cores as a minimum licensing requirement for each server). In Windows Server 2012 R2, any number of cores was covered by a processor license. Now, any number of cores in a server that exceeds the minimum requirement of 8 licenses will mean additional costs compared to Windows Server 2012 R2.
Windows Server 2016 license available on our website
We also support Windows Server 2016. You can now order and install this latest edition of Windows via our website.
