Windows Server 2022: Key Features and Innovations

Microsoft has released its latest Windows Server platform. Read on to discover the improved hybrid cloud features, enhanced security and better support for large on-premises applications.

Windows Server is an efficient on-premises platform that scales from file and print services to running huge data warehouses and large-scale business applications like SAP.

What is Windows Server 2022?

Windows Server 2022 is the latest long-term servicing channel (LTSC) release of Windows Server for local data centres and virtual machines. The two main editions are Standard and Datacenter.

Both editions share the same core server features, building on the foundation established in earlier versions.

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

Core features in both editions

Windows Containers. Unlike virtual machines, containers enable virtualisation at the operating system level, providing just enough access to the OS, 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 Active Directory groups with privileged access. New procedures for requesting and monitoring administrative access include the expiring links feature, which limits the duration of administrative access based on a specific time frame.

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

Hyper-V. Hyper-V offers hot-add management for virtual network adapters and virtual machine memory. Datacenter includes shielded virtual machines that minimise tampering or theft of VM data and state by encrypting it 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.

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.

Minimum system requirements

• 64-bit processor at 1.4 GHz with x64 instruction set support
• NX, DEP, CMPXCHG16b, LAHF/SAHF and PrefetchW support
• Second-level address translation (EPT or NPT)
• 512 MB RAM (2 GB for Desktop Experience)
• ECC or equivalent memory for physical host deployments
• Ethernet adapter with at least 1 Gbps throughput
• PCI Express architecture
• UEFI 2.3.1c-based firmware with Secure Boot
• Trusted Platform Module 2.0

Why is Windows Server 2022 important?

Microsoft has introduced a Secured-core Server model for Windows Server 2022. This lets you use Credential Guard to protect sign-ins and hypervisor-protected code integrity for your applications. Network security is improved by upgrading HTTPS support to TLS 1.3 and adding AES-256 encryption to the SMB protocol for file sharing.

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

Additional improvements to Windows Admin Centre include an enhanced event viewer and better Azure management directly from your Windows servers.

Microsoft has also improved the scaling capabilities of Windows Server. If you run large applications, you now have support for up to 48 TB of memory and 2,048 cores across 64 sockets. For a deeper dive, read our articles on eight key features of Windows Server 2022 and everything you need to know about Windows Server 2022.

When was Windows Server 2022 released?

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

How can you get Windows Server 2022?

Windows Server 2022 is available in three editions — Essentials, Standard and Datacenter — each offering different features to suit your needs.

The Datacenter edition is intended for large data centres where extensive 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 application server or operational database server with limited virtualisation requirements. Smaller businesses with simple file and print needs and up to 25 employees can opt for the Essentials edition.

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 licences Windows Server 2022 with a per-core licensing model, requiring CALs for users and devices accessing the servers.

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

Do you have any questions?

Our support team is here to help around the clock. You can always read more about Windows Server 2022 in our shop or on the manufacturer's website.

Write us a comment or give us a call.

Best regards,
The Licendi Team