Windows Server 2016 Updates

Last year, Microsoft released Windows Server 2016. The latest Windows Server has a ton of new features and capabilities. Below is a list of some of the new features that stand out:

1)    More Memory

Windows Server 2016 can support 24 terabytes of physical memory per machine. For VMs, Windows Server 2016 can allocate 16TB. Microsoft upgraded the Dynamic Memory feature as well. Now you can increase the minimum and maximum limits while the VM is running. The new capabilities of the Dynamic Memory guarantee more efficiency.

2)    Containers

Containers are now supported in the latest version of Windows Server. The containers allow you to easily run an application without affecting the rest of your system. Windows has two different types of containers: Windows Server Containers and Hyper-V Containers. The Windows Server Containers provide application isolation through the process and namespace isolation technology. The Hyper-V Containers expand on the isolation provided by Windows Server Containers by running each container in a highly optimized virtual machine.

3)    Security

Windows Server 2016 also introduced the Host Guardian Service. The Host Guardian Service does not allow unauthorized hosts or unauthorized administrators to start VMs. This ensures VMs will only run on host servers that are approved by your company.

If your company is looking to upgrade to Windows Server 2016 the new features make it worth it. If not, you still have time before older Window Servers are no longer supported. Remember, Windows Server 2008 extended support until January 14, 2020. Windows Server 2012 has extended support until January 10, 2023. Make sure you are aware of Microsoft’s policies because extended support can be costly. In the past, Microsoft provided a minimum of five years of Mainstream Support or two years of Mainstream Support after the successor product ships. During the Mainstream Support period, Microsoft ships free security patches, general fixes, and updates. During the extended support period, the company only provides security updates. Any additional non-security bug fixes cost an additional price.