Description

Why Windows Server 2016 Datacenter

Windows Server 2016 Datacenter helps you build a resilient network and offers many exclusive features unique to this edition. These include Shielded Virtual Machines, Software Defined Networking (SDN) features and Storage Spaces Direct and Storage Replica. Companies that increasingly rely on virtualisation are making the right choice with Microsoft Windows Server 2016 Datacenter. Among the most significant new features of Hyper-V are advances in failover clustering, which increases resilience to temporary storage and network failures.

Innovations in Windows Server 2016 Datacenter

Cloud technologies and Windows Containers provide increased speed and flexibility.
Failover clustering to increase resilience in the event of temporary storage or network failures.
Secure server system management with new server roles and Minimal Execution in Nano Server without a graphical user interface for increased performance and reduced maintenance requirements.
Storage Replica provides preventive protection against failures.
Storage Spaces Direct enables the creation of scalable, highly available storage systems with local storage.
Shielded Virtual Machines protect your data within virtual machines from unauthorised access.
Software Defined Networking (SDN) functions for central management and configuration of physical and virtual network devices, such as routers, switches or gateways.
Enhanced security with Windows Server 2016 Datacenter.

Microsoft Windows Server 2016 Datacenter helps you protect against today’s threats with a “zero trust” security approach anchored in the hardware. Resources in shared environments are protected by shielded virtual machines that provide isolation between the underlying host and virtual machines. The “Host Guardian Service”, as a new Windows Server role, enables trusted hosts to be detected. In addition, the “Just in Time” as well as the “Just Enough” management allow to set rules for limiting administrator access. Windows Server 2016 Datacenter thus offers added value in the security factor.

New licensing model for the first time with Windows Server 2016

With the previous versions, both the standard and the Datacenter licence apply to two physical CPUs each. With the new licensing model, there was a change from per-CPU to per-core licensing. It is assumed that a server has at least 8 cores per processor and a total of at least two processors, i.e. a total of 16 cores. Per server 16 cores are then the minimum, per CPU at least 8 cores must be licensed. Better equipped servers must be upgraded with additional licences. The additional licences are available in steps of 2, 16 and 24 cores each. In addition, it is still necessary to purchase the corresponding User or Device CALs.