Windows Server 2022: What you need to know

Server management is a complex task and choosing the right server software is an important decision for any business. It can be difficult to know where to start because there are so many options on the market. That's why we've put together this Windows Server 2022 buying guide.

We'll walk you through the key features of this Windows Server 2022 and help you make an informed decision about whether it's the right solution for your business needs. Are you ready? Let's dive in.

Buying Windows Server products can be particularly challenging. There are many different editions of Windows Server, and each has its own feature set. The version of Windows Server 2022 you purchase can have a significant impact on your file servers, your local users and your Internet storage. It is important that you make an informed decision before you finalise your purchase.

To help you find the perfect Windows Server 2022 version for your business, we've created this Windows Server 2022 Buyer's Guide. Here you will find detailed information about these versions, what they offer and how they differ.

We hope that with this guide you will be able to buy the best possible Windows Server 2022 solution without any problems! We'll help you make the perfect choice, whether you're looking to set up storage, standalone servers, multi-cloud environments or a data centre.

What is Windows Server 2022?

The operating systems of the Windows Server group were developed by Microsoft for enterprise management, data storage applications and communication. Windows Server 2022 is the latest version and is the successor to Windows Server 2019.

Microsoft launched Windows Server 2022 in mid-2021. Companies and organisations use this server operating system to run their network infrastructure or applications on a single device.

This latest version belongs to the same family as the other operating system versions and therefore offers useful new features that complement the standard versions of the operating system. Since a server operating system is more complex than a normal operating system, it has many sophisticated features that enable it to perform important tasks for the smooth operation of your server.

Unlike a normal operating system, the main function of a server operating system is to improve efficiency as much as possible: e.g. tools for remote management, user permissions, security, Azure hybrid functions, Hyper-V virtual machine, etc.

Users of Windows Server 2022 will notice a big improvement over previous versions: better firmware protection, nested virtualisation, Storage Migration Service, to name just a few examples.

In addition, this version is the latest addition to the Windows Server operating system family developed and marketed by Microsoft. It has the latest and most advanced technology with extended support.

Different versions of Windows Server 2022

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 for all versions is expected to be long-term, so it is important to make a long-term decision about purchasing a particular edition.

Essentials

A cost-effective, lightweight server option ideal for small businesses. It has all the essential features and supports up to 25 users and 50 devices with a single licence. While it is the cheapest of the bunch, it does not include advanced features such as Active Directory, failover clusters or virtual machines.

Standard

Ideal for businesses with physical or slightly virtualised server configurations. Gives you access to all the resources you need for a reliable, fast server that can support your workloads across the board.

With this version, you have the option to install Server Core or Desktop Experience. You can also take advantage of Active Workloads, Trusted Platform Module, Windows Defender System Guard and more.

Data centre

Specifically designed for businesses with highly virtualised data centres and cloud configurations. It is able to support heavy workloads, even if you are working in an on-prem or private cloud environment. There are also new data centre-specific features such as protected virtual machines, Storage Spaces Direct and software-defined networking.

Things to know about the innovations in Windows Server 2022

The new generation of Windows Server is finally available, and it comes with many new features. It is important to consider what you will have access to in order to build critical systems, data centres, a SQL server or a local server environment for your business.

Here are 7 important features of Windows Server 2022 that you should know:

Improvements to the network

The new Windows Server improves network traffic, even in high-speed networks. This means faster data transfers and fewer network interruptions. You'll notice big improvements in supporting heavy workloads. The improvements also focus on minimising downtime, making Windows Server 2022 perfect for local and cloud file servers.

The improvements can be found in the Standard and Datacenter editions as well as in the Essentials version. This is an important improvement if you work with virtual machines and large storage spaces that you may need to access at any time of day.

The virtual switch upgrade improves the performance of both the network traffic coming from an external host and the data flow between a virtual NIC and another virtual NIC on the same host.

New network protocols

Microsoft places particular emphasis on the performance of Windows Server. Most users use Windows Server to support business applications and services directly for employees or customers.

Time is money, and your critical system needs both stability and efficiency. Windows Server 2022 includes important connectivity improvements. The UDP Segmentation Offload (USO) protocol has been added. It improves a number of ways that encrypting UDP connections reduces latency, rewards connections and controls extension frames.

You will also see a simplified implementation of network policies and containerisation tools for .NET applications.

Updating the security measures

Microsoft will continue to improve its security practices to keep pace with technology and combat cyber attacks despite the current threat environment.

In this version of Server, the cloud is the second most used operating platform. One of the most important enhancements is support for secure DNS with DNS-over-HTTPS server messaging that blocks aES-265 and SMB East-West SMB encryption via QUIC. This security protocol and enhancement ensures that Windows 2022 Server can handle sensitive data and critical applications.

Storage security and performance

Windows Server storage enhancements emphasise security without compromising performance. It includes transport layer security and encryption on higher-value network storage. This enables encrypted communication with workload applications that require high performance, such as Storage Direct, HyperV, Scaleout File Server and many others.

The Azure Edition also supports SMB via QUIC and offers triple security reliability. This compression feature is another advantage of the compression system.
Other storage features include Storage Bus Caching, Storage Spaces Direct and Active Directory improvements, to name a few. Both Azure Edition and Datacenter Edition users can benefit from all these advantages and more.

Expanding the capabilities of Azure

The power of Microsoft Azure has been enhanced with the addition of Windows 2022 for virtualisation outside of networks or cloud providers. Azure Arc-enabled servers provide an integrated platform that is fully scalable - on-premises, in the cloud and in virtual machines. Azure Arc-enabled servers are used for Azure monitoring, security, updates or hybrid environments.

Other features of Azure Edition and Datacenter Edition include Azure Arc and Azure Stack HCI, virtualisation-based security and Azure Active Directory.

Effortless management of cloud services

One of the most important features of Windows Server 2022 is the proven cloud management available on the market. If you want to use the Azure edition, you not only have access to powerful features like Azure Stack HCI and Azure Arc.

You can also upgrade your local server, use Windows Server Containers and Windows Deployment Services (WDS) to install a secure central server and much more.

Other features of Windows Server 2022

Other new functions include

• Internet Storage Name Service (iSNS)
• Group Managed Service Accounts (gMSA)
• AES-256 encryption with support for Server Message Block Protocol (SMB)
• HyStart++ to reduce packet loss when establishing a connection
• Security features such as hardware root of trust and firmware protection
• SMB via QUIC for mobile users or organisations with higher security requirements
• Extensible file server

Does the answer lie in the cloud?

When considering which edition of Windows Server to buy, consider whether you really need a physical server.

If your company has little space or IT infrastructure, a server suitable for the cloud may be more advantageous. Depending on the number of employees you have, you can choose Essentials or Datacenter.

Cloud servers provide a cost-effective and easy-to-use service for businesses of all sizes. However, as your business grows, so does the need for more advanced technology that can handle heavier traffic loads without causing performance drops or slowdowns.

If you need an on-site server, there are two options: Essentials and Standard. The former is the best option if your company has less than 25 employees, while the latter is ideal for companies with more than 100 employees.

Upgrade to Windows Server 2022

If you are still running an older version of Windows Server, such as 2012 or 2019, now is the best time to upgrade to a more modern solution with Windows Server 2022. It offers many new features that could be worth the cost of the upgrade for your business.

Windows Server 2022 is the latest version of Microsoft's server operating system. Upgrading from an earlier version allows your organisation greater flexibility in choosing the best way to work with technology in general, while improving efficiency through automation wherever possible.

Some older versions of Windows Server are no longer officially supported by Microsoft. By purchasing the new Windows Server 2022, your server will remain secure and supported for the next 10 years from 2022.

It is time to choose

For many businesses, deciding which server software to buy can be daunting. Fortunately, there are many options and this guide will help you find the perfect solution.
If, for whatever reason, you are still unsure which edition of Windows Server 2022 is best for your business, don't hesitate to talk to our experts at Licendi.

Do you have any questions?

Thank you for reading our guide to choosing the right version of Windows Server 2022. If there is anything else that can help you, or if there are any questions that remain unanswered, please contact us, our support team will help you 24/7.

You can also read more about it on the manufacturer's website, because of course they know a lot about it too .

Greetings,

Your Licendi team.