New Features of Windows Server 2016

With the release of the 2016 Windows Server rapidly approaching, you may be wondering what to look forward to, the changes that will be implemented, and how that will affect you. Here are some of the most exciting and revolutionary improvements to anticipate.

The new Nano Server offers a 93% smaller VHD, 80% fewer required reboots, and 92& fewer critical bulletins. It is designed to run Hyper-V, Hyper-V cluster, Scale-Out File Servers, and cloud service applications.

The new system offers support for containers, which enable isolation of applications from the underlying OS. This will improve the reliability and organization of the applications, including Windows Server Containers and Hyper-V Containers.

Docker support is also newly available. The open-source engine Docker is used for building, running, and maintaining containers such as were just mentioned (Windows Server and Hyper-V).

Hyper-V also is getting upgrades, which will allow the addition of a new Window Server 2016 node to a cluster, so that the cluster can run at the update’s speed before all of the nodes have been upgraded.

Storage replication of virtual hard disks is now a possibility at the block level, with the options of synchronous and asynchronous replication. Particularly in disaster situations, this replication can be a life-saving recovery method.

Another handy upgrade is the option to add and remove virtual memory and virtual network adapters without having to shut down the virtual machine. This greatly streamlines the process and expands mobility.

Overall you can expect lower attack rates, faster restarts, and the capability for running more VMs on the same hardware. The central goal in all these improvements is to make windows a “cloud OS.” There will be greater isolation and security for Hyper-V containers, but slightly less efficiency. On the plus side, a smaller amount of features provides for fewer patches and forced reboots.

This, of course, is a limited list of some of the most exciting updates. To view a more complete list or try out a preview, visit Microsoft’s website. Let us know in the comment section which improvements are the most exciting to you!