Windows Server

1. What is Windows Server?

• Windows Server is a line of Microsoft operating systems (OSes) comprised of extremely powerful machines. Windows Server was first launched in April 2003. It’s typically installed on heavy-use servers serving as a backbone for most IT companies, applications, and services. The server handles the administrative group-related activities on a network. It organizes, stores, sends, and receives files from devices connected to a network.

Reference

2. What is Windows Server used for?

• Windows Server is a line of operating systems that Microsoft specifically creates for use on a server. Servers are extremely powerful machines that are designed to run constantly and provide resources for other computers. This means in almost all cases; Windows Server is only used in business settings.

Reference

3. How long does Windows Server Support last?

• It depends on the servicing channel it is released on: Long-Term Servicing Channel (LTSC) or Semi-Annual Channel (SAC)
• The Windows Server Semi-Annual Channel (SAC) was retired on August 9, 2022. There will be no future SAC releases of Windows Server.

Reference

Functions of Windows Server

• Since Windows Server 2016, Windows Server has had the option of being installed with or without the desktop GUI.
• The installation without the GUI is called Server Core, and it is primarily managed using the command line. However, the desktop installation option for Windows Server is far more popular. The desktop looks much like Windows 10 and it has a taskbar, desktop icons, and a Start button.
• Windows Server is designed to run enterprise-level workloads.
• Below are a few roles that a Windows Server system can perform:
  ✓ AD
  ✓ DNS
  ✓ DHCP
  ✓ File and Print services
  ✓ Web Server
  ✓ Failover cluster
  ✓ Hyper-V virtualization
  ✓ Exchange Server
  ✓ SQL Server

Reference

What is Long-Term Servicing Channel (LTSC) for Windows Server?

• Microsoft Windows Server LTSC (Long-Term Servicing Channel) is a servicing option for Microsoft's server operating system that follows the familiar track of two to three years between feature updates.
• Windows Server LTSC comes in three editions -- Essential, Standard and Datacenter -- and is available through all channels. The support terms will be familiar to most administrators with five years of mainstream support with five years of extended support. Enterprises also have the option for six additional years of support through Microsoft's Premium Assurance plan.

Reference

What is Semi-Annual Channel (SAC) for Windows Server?

• The Windows Server Semi-Annual Channel brings new updates with new versions twice a year. These SAC versions are primarily intended for customers with fast innovations (according to Microsoft).
• The first SAC release was System Center Version 1801. The names of the versions always depend on the release year and its month, so the first release was Version 1801, since it was released in January 2018.
• From the date of public availability, the semi-annual channel versions have been supported by Microsoft for 18 months. This channel is offered only to customers with Software Assurance, it corresponds to the release and maintenance model for Windows servers, which was announced in 2017.

Reference

What is the difference between SAC and LTSC?

• LTSC gets a new release every 2-3 years, whereas SAC gets a new release every 6 months.
• LTSC has 5 years of mainstream support and another 5 years of extended support, whereas SAC only has 18 months of support.
• They are also available in different editions and come with different installation options.

Reference

Windows server 2022

1. What is the latest Windows Server 2022?

• As of 2023, Microsoft Windows Server 2022 is the latest version of the popular server operating system developed by Microsoft.
• It was released in the summer of 2021 and brought several new features and improvements over its predecessor, Windows Server 2019.

Reference

2. What is Windows Server 2022?

• Windows Server 2022 is the 10th and current major long term servicing channel (LTSC) release of the Windows Server operating system by Microsoft Corporation, as part of the Windows NT family of operating systems. It was announced at Microsoft's Ignite event
  from March 2-4, 2021. It was released on August 18, 2021, almost 3 years after Windows Server 2019, and a few months before the Windows 11 operating system.
• Windows Server 2022 is based on the "Iron" codebase. Its updates are incompatible with the Windows 10 operating system, as the "Iron" codebase was not used for it. Like its predecessor, Windows Server 2019, it requires x64 processors.

Reference

3. How much time of support is left for Windows Server 2022?

• Mainstream support will end on 13th October 2026. Extended support will end on 14th October 2031.

Reference

4. What are the three editions available for Windows Server?

1. Windows Server 2022 Standard
   • The most popular option for most businesses, available as OEM, ROK and via CSP/OLP - Requires User or Device CALs to be purchased separately. Allows for 2 x OSEs when all cores are licensed, and additional OSEs can be added by licensing cores again via 'additional core' packs.
     
     
2. Windows Server 2022 DatacenteR
   • For highly virtualized environments typically found in the datacenter due to unlimited OSE allowance. Available as OEM, ROK and via CSP/OLP. Requires User or Device CALs to be purchased separately. Allows for 2 x OSEs when all cores are licensed.
     
     
3. Windows Server 2022 Essentials
   • A popular option for small businesses or branch offices, Essentials is limited to a maximum of 25 users and 50 devices. Restricted to single-CPU servers with 10 or fewer cores. Available as ROK only (no OEM offering currently available in UK distribution) but requires no additional CALs. It is important to note that Server 2022 Essentials can't be used as a member server on an existing domain or have member servers on the same domain. It can't be used as a terminal server. If any of these features are required, Server 2022 Standard is recommended as a minimum.

Reference

Windows Server 2022 Features

1. Improved Security
   • Windows Server 2022 has advanced multi-layer security features to protect data, applications, and networks. It offers a certified secured-core server that provides additional assurance when
     handling mission-critical data in data-sensitive operations. The secured core server is built on three pillars: preventative defense, advanced protection, and simplified security, and it combines firmware, hardware, and driver capabilities to enable higher protection.
     
     
2. Secure Connectivity
   • Windows Server 2022 also offers Transport Layer Security (TLS), Server Message Block
     (SMB), and other features to provide the highest level of security available.
     
     
3. Azure hybrid capabilities
   • One of the most notable features is its Azure Arc-enabled servers, which allow IT professionals to sync their on-premises servers with Microsoft Azure cloud services seamlessly. With Windows Server 2022, you can more easily run applications, integrate processes across multiple locations, and manage resources on all platforms – this list goes on!
   • In today's tech landscape, where remote work is the norm, having robust hybrid capabilities is essential for business owners who want to deliver solid results despite mobility limitations. Windows Server 2022 makes it all easier with its comprehensive approach to Azure integration.
     
     
4. Windows Admin Center
   • This sophisticated tool is a new, locally deployed, browser-based managed toolset that allows users to control their Windows Server without depending on the cloud or Azure. It gives IT administrators complete control over every aspect of their server infrastructure and is especially useful for managing private network servers that aren't connected to the internet.
   • The admin center in Windows Server 2022 can report the current state of all features discussed above and, in some cases, allow users to enable the features. Server 2022 enhances hybrid server management with an enhanced event viewer and many other capabilities in Windows Admin Center.
     
     
5. Storage Enhancements
   • Windows Server 2022 has gone big on storage to include Advanced caching, faster manageable storage, and ReFS File snapshots.

Reference

Is it cheaper to buy Windows Server 2022 Datacenter?

• It depends how many Windows Server OSEs you require - There becomes a point at which it's cheaper to purchase Windows Server 2022 Datacenter with its unlimited Windows Server OSE entitlement than to keep adding Additional Core packs to Windows Server 2022 Standard.
• This point is dependent upon two things: How many Windows Server OSEs you require, and how many cores are in the server (and therefore how many additional core packs you'd need to purchase).

Reference

What are the prices and licensing options for Windows Server 2022?

• It depends on which primary editions of Windows Server you chose based on the size of your organization, as well as virtualization and datacenter requirements.
• For Windows Server 2022 Standard and Datacenter Edition, it uses a core-based licensing model.
• For Windows Server 2022 Essentials Edition, it uses a Window’s Server licensing.

Reference

What is core-based licensing?

• A core-based licensing model means that the number of licenses that you need is determined by the number of server cores inside the number of processors.

Reference

Windows Server 2022 and Virtual Machines

• With Windows Server 2022 Standard Edition, you have an entitlement to two Windows Server OSEs (Operating System Environments) - Basically two Windows Server VMs.
• If you'd like more than this, licensing all the cores again (via the 16 Additional Core pack plus any additional packs required to cover all cores in the system) will give you an additional two Windows Server OSEs.
• This process can be repeated to add as many extra Windows Server OSEs as are required. Windows Server 2022 Datacenter allows unlimited OSEs.

Reference

Different methods of licensing Windows Server 2022

• If you are buying a new server and would like Windows Server 2022 software, you can choose between Microsoft OEM or vendor specific ROK software.
• The OEM/ROK base license that includes the installation media and COA (Certificate of Authenticity) is available in 16-core and 24-core versions for both Standard and Datacenter.
• Core packs are available if your system has more cores than this.

Reference

What is ROK software?

• ROK stands for Reseller Option Kit, and it's essentially the identical Windows Server 2022 software as the Microsoft OEM but BIOS-locked to only be installable on the ROK vendors servers. For example, if you purchase the HPE ROK version of Windows Server 2022 it will not be installed on a Dell/Lenovo/Fujitsu etc. server.
• The benefits of ROK software over Microsoft OEM is that it's often cheaper and completely supported by the vendor. Should you need to make a support call to the vendor, you won't risk being passed back and forth between Microsoft and the vendor if there is any uncertainty if it's a software issue or hardware issue. With ROK software, the support of both hardware and software is entirely with the vendor.

Reference

What are CALs?

• A Client Access License (CAL) is a license to allow either a user or a device to access a Windows Server domain. They are required alongside the Server 2022 Standard or Datacenter software if the server is a domain controller. If you are upgrading a member server to Windows Server 2022 and the existing CALs are for a previous version, you will need to upgrade the CALs to 2022 also.
• There are two types of CALs - User CALs and Device CALs. Typically, if you have more devices than users, it is best to license the users - and vice versa - if you have more users than devices, it's better to license the devices. In addition, if you have users or devices that need to access the domain remotely, then RDS CALs are required in addition to the local CALs.

Reference

Microsoft’s Licensing Model for Windows Server Explained

• Windows Server has two distinct licensing models: per-core licensing and CAL-based licensing.
• You can only license a Windows Server with as many cores as the total number of processors in your system. As such, if you need to run more than 16 cores, you’ll need to purchase additional licenses.
• Currently, the Windows Server licensing model is per-core. However, in the past, it was per-processor (CPU) pair. In addition, it requires a license for each CALS/DAL, which makes it harder to manage and scale.
• Those who bought the standard edition of Windows Server should be aware of the new licensing model because the upgrade process will be more complicated. However, it is still possible to buy a single license for Windows Server 2016, so long as you’ve got the hardware and are running Office applications on the server.
• Volume licensing for Windows Server can save you money, while letting you use the latest version. As a result, you can buy multiple licenses at once. You can also use downgrade rights to upgrade to a previous version. This benefit is available through the Volume Licensing Service Center. The benefits of Volume Licensing include downgrade rights and the ability to upgrade at any time without incurring additional licensing fees.

License Requirements for IoT Editions

• There are two ways to license your server software. One way is by signing up for the Windows IoT program. Microsoft will provide you with an OEM Customer License Agreement (OCLA), which you can set up through a third-party vendor, such as Bsquare.
• This is a non-negotiable agreement, and there are no purchase obligations. The other way is through a Windows OEM Partner.
• The Windows Server 2022 operating system includes secured-core features and uses hardened hardware and firmware.
• For your specific application, you’ll need a license for Windows Server 2022. For example, if you’re developing an embedded system, you should use the Windows Server IoT 2022 edition.
• The Windows Server IoT license will give you access to a 10-year support cycle and advanced lockdown features. Additionally, Windows Server IoT Enterprise editions ship with modern hardware.

Reference

What is Windows Server OLP?

• The Open License Program is a Microsoft service that allows corporate, academic, charitable, or government organizations to obtain volume licenses for Microsoft products like the Windows Server. It is ideally suited for companies with between 2 – 250 personal computers but can accommodate organizations with up to 750 computers.
• Microsoft announced on 2 October 2020 to end its 20-year-old Open License program for small and midsize organizations, starting on January 1, 2022.

Reference

What is Windows Server CSP?

• Microsoft’s Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) Program is a reseller program that is broken up into Direct CSP Distributors and Indirect CSP Resellers.
• These CSP partners will sell and support Cloud-based licenses including Windows Server and other products, all on behalf of Microsoft with a margin of profit available to both Distributors and Resellers.

Reference

What is NCE (New Commerce Experience)?

• Microsoft’s New Commerce Experience (NCE) is a multi-phased, change to the cloud service program, aimed at simplifying licensing, and addressing how customers prefer to purchase.

Reference

New Commerce Experience for license-based services

New commerce offers have new capabilities and flexibility in how partners transact and manage their subscriptions.

1. Catalog:
   • Traditional, license-based offers were defined by an offer ID.
   • In new commerce, offers are defined as product, SKU, and availability (or term).
   • This new commerce identifier for Partner Center API users is described as a catalogue. For more information about the cart line items, see the partner center API documentation.
     
     
2. Pricing:
   • Traditional, license-based prices were per currency.
   • In new commerce, pricing is defined by customer market. A partner who wants pricing for a customer transaction will need to get the price list for the customer's market.
     
     
3. Promotions:
   • Traditional, license-based promotions were sometimes implemented as discounts and other times as offers with promo in their name.
   • In new commerce, promotions are simplified by always enabling them as discounts applied to the partner price.

Reference

How long is the Windows Server license validity time?

• Currently, server licensor certificates that are valid for seven years are reissued to a service each year. This means that if a service regularly updates their server licensor certificate, any license this service creates can be valid for a maximum of seven years (with a newly granted certificate) or a minimum of six years and a day (with a certificate granted the day before a service obtains a new certificate).
• However, if a service is not regularly updating its server licensor certificate, the existing certificate can be valid for any length of time from seven years (newly issued license) down to one second (a license issued seven years ago). Because there is no guarantee that a service is regularly updating their certificates, your application should be able to handle expired licenses by acquiring new end-user licenses.

Reference

What are the Hardware Requirements for Windows Server 2022?-

• CPU: 1.4 GHz x86-64 processor
• RAM: 2 GB
• Disk/Disc: At least 32 GB free space
• GDR: 1024 x 768 pixels display
• A wireless adapter that supports 802.11, or
• An Ethernet adapter capable of at least 1 GB per second throughput, or
• NIC card with a minimum bandwidth of 1 GB

Reference