Windows Server Essentials, Windows Server 2012 R2 Standard, and Windows Server 2012 R2 Datacenter can be run as virtual machines. You run virtual machines by using the Hyper-V management tools on a server running Hyper-V. From a licensing perspective, Windows Server Essentials allows you to set up the Hyper-V role and virtualize your environment.
Essential Guide
- Storage Spaces Direct adds functionality
- The debut of containers and Hyper-V updates
- Nano Server in Windows Server 2016
- Keep the server OS running smoothly
- Windows Server 2016 news
- Must know Windows Server 2016 terms
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Editor's note
Now that mainstream support for Windows Server 2008 has ended and Windows Server 2012 is getting up in years, more enterprises may want to consider jumping to Windows Server 2016, which is scheduled to be released in the third quarter of 2016.
Microsoft Windows Server 2016 includes several new features, including Nano Server -- a lightweight installation option that is 93% smaller than traditional Windows Server deployments -- and native container support. Windows Server 2016 also includes new software-defined storage options and improvements to Hyper-V.
Whether you're on the fence about upgrading or have already decided to deploy the new server operating system when it is officially released, this guide will highlight the most anticipated Windows Server 2016 features.
1Storage Spaces Direct adds functionality
Storage Spaces Direct, a new storage feature in Windows Server 2016, uses software to let administrators build highly available storages systems with local storage.
2The debut of containers and Hyper-V updates
Containers are the next progression of virtualization -- isolated environments where applications and services can run without affecting the system and vice versa. Windows Server 2016 will also feature significant security developments to Hyper-V.
3Nano Server in Windows Server 2016
Nano Server is a lightweight installation that is 93% smaller than a traditional Windows Server deployment. Despite its small size, Nano Server offers big benefits to enterprises. This section will break down the benefits of Nano Server, how to deploy it and what it means for Windows Server.
4Keep the server OS running smoothly
This section of the guide will walk you through how to manage Windows Server 2016 using features such as rolling cluster upgrades and PowerShell Direct.
5Windows Server 2016 news
This section will look at different Windows Server 2016 news stories.
6Must know Windows Server 2016 terms
Use this glossary section to get familiar with the terms you may encounter during your Windows Server 2016 upgrade.
- Includes:
- Microsoft Windows Server 2016 Standard
- Estimated Delivery Time: 3 - 5 Business Days
- Users Supported: 5 Local Users
- Devices Supported: 1 Concurrent Local Connection per User License, Unlimited Non-Concurrent Devices per User License
- Installations Supported: Unlimited Connecting Device Installations per User License
- License Type: Perpetual
- License Term: Indefinite
- Licensed Use: Licensed for Home and Commercial Use
- Brand: Microsoft
- Manufacturer Part Number: R18-05244
- GTIN: 889842166927
- CALs Included: 5 User CALs
- Operating Systems Supported: Windows Server 2016
- Minimum Hard Drive Space: 32 GB
- Minimum Memory: 512 MB
- Minimum Processor Speed: 1.4 GHz