Windows Server 2022: Features and innovations

Microsoft has just released its latest Windows Server platform. Find out about the improved hybrid cloud features, enhanced security and improved support for large on-premises applications.

Windows Server is an efficient on-premise platform that adapts to file and print to run huge data warehouses and large-scale business applications like SAP.

What is Windows Server 2022?

Windows Server 2022 is the new long-term service channel version of Windows Server for local data centres and virtual machines. The two main editions are Standard and Datacenter.

Both editions of Windows Server 2022 offer the same core server functions, but build on the existing Windows Server functions.

If you want to build a virtual infrastructure, you must choose Datacenter because it supports an unlimited number of virtual machines (Standard only supports two). It also offers shielded Hyper-V virtual machines for improved isolation and security, as well as support for software-defined networking and storage.

Both versions support the same basic functions:

Windows container:

Unlike virtual machines, containers enable virtualisation at the operating system level by providing sufficient access to the operating system, libraries and underlying resources to host applications in an isolated user space.

Active Directory Domain Services:

Privileged Access Management (PAM) helps prevent credential theft by working with Microsoft Identity Manager (MIM) to protect the Active Directory (AD) group from accounts with privileged access.

In addition, new procedures for requesting administrative access and monitoring such accounts have been introduced, including the expiring links feature, which limits the duration of the administrative window based on a specific time frame.

Active Directory Federation Services (ADFS) continues to provide simple and secure identity federation and Single Sign-On (SSO) between ADFS-protected companies and partner organisations.

Hyper-V offers a hot management function for virtual network adapters and virtual machine memory.

Datacenter includes shielded virtual machines that minimise tampering or theft of virtual machine data and state by encrypting both and preventing viewing of video signals and hard drives.

Windows Defender: Microsoft's anti-malware application for Windows Server is installed by default on Windows Server 2022.

With Storage Spaces Direct, you can create highly available storage from local storage systems, including JBODs stored locally or on the network as part of a storage pool.

The minimum system requirements remain the same:

• 64-bit processor with 1.4 GHz.
• Support of the x64 instruction set
• NX and DEP support
• Support for CMPXCHG16b, LAHF/SAHF and PrefetchW
• Support for second level address translation (EPT or NPT)
• 512 MB (2 GB for server with installation option for desktop experience)
• ECC (Error Correcting Code) or similar technology for physical host implementations
• An Ethernet adapter with a throughput of at least 1 gigabit per second
• Compatible with the PCI Express architecture specification
• UEFI 2.3.1c-based system and firmware that supports secure booting
• Trusted Platform Module 2.0

Why is Windows Server 2022 important?

Windows 10 has released a number of virtualisation and processor-based security updates as part of its secure kernel initiative. Microsoft offers this model for Windows Server 2022 as an optional set of security tools and calls it Secured-core Server.

This allows you to use Credential Guard to protect logins and the integrity of hypervisor-protected code with your applications. At the same time, network security is improved by upgrading HTTPS support to TLS 1.3 and adding improved AES-256 encryption to the SMB protocol for file exchange.

There are also significant improvements in integration with Azure, either as hybrid cloud systems managed by Azure Arc or for transferring data between on-premises and cloud systems.

Other improvements to the Windows Admin Center management tools include event viewer and support for better management of Azure via the Windows servers.

Microsoft has also improved the scaling options of Windows Server. If you run large applications, you now have support for 48 TB of memory and 2,048 cores on 64 sockets.

When was Windows Server 2022 released?

A preview programme was launched in March 2021. General availability of Windows Server 2022 was announced for 1 September 2021, with a launch event at the Windows Server Summit on 16 September.

How can you get Windows Server 2022 and what does it cost?

Windows Server 2022 is available in three different editions: Essentials, Standard and DataCenter. Each version differs in retail price and offers different features to meet your needs. Support is expected to remain the same for all versions. Therefore, it is important to choose a version that you want to buy for the long term.

The Datacenter version is intended for use in large data centres where large fleets of virtual machines need to be hosted and managed. It is typically used for ERP systems and for hybrid and private clouds as an alternative to tools such as Azure Stack HCI.

Standard is the familiar small application server or operational database server with limited virtualisation requirements. Smaller businesses with simple file and print requirements and up to 25 employees can opt for the Essentials version.

Windows Server 2022 is available through the Microsoft Volume Licensing Centre for customers with existing licence agreements or through the Azure Marketplace for use as an Azure virtual machine.

Trial versions can also be downloaded from the Windows Evaluation Centre, with ISO and VHD installation options. Microsoft licenses Windows Server 2022 with a per-core licensing model, requiring CALs for users and devices accessing the servers.

Like Windows Server 2019, licences will be sold in 2-core and 16-core packages with a minimum of 8 cores per processor and 16 core licences per server.

• Essentials: €299.90 (per server licence). No CALs required.
• Standard: €329.99 (for 16 cores). CALs are required.
• Datacenter: €329.99 (for 16 cores). CALs are required.

Do you have any questions?

Our support team is here to help 24/7, remember you can always read more about Windows Server 2022 on our website or on the manufacturer's website.

Write us a comment or give us a call.

Yours sincerely,

Your Licendi team.