Windows Server 2016 is a server operating system developed by Microsoft as part of the Windows NT family. It was released to manufacturing in September 2016 and is the successor to Windows Server 2012 R2. Windows Server 2016 brought several new features and improvements to enhance security, virtualization, networking, and management. Here are some of the key features:
1. Windows Containers
- Containers offer a lightweight and portable way to package and deploy applications. Windows Server 2016 introduced Windows Server Containers and Hyper-V Containers to help with the deployment of cloud-native apps. Windows Server Containers share the kernel with the host OS, while Hyper-V Containers run each container with its own kernel for greater isolation.
2. Nano Server
- Nano Server is a minimal installation option that is optimized for private clouds and datacenters. It has a much smaller footprint compared to the full Windows Server installation, reducing its attack surface and improving performance. It is managed remotely via PowerShell or other management tools.
3. PowerShell 5.1
- PowerShell 5.1 provides advanced automation capabilities for managing Windows Server 2016 environments. It includes new cmdlets for managing containers, networking, and storage, along with features like Just Enough Administration (JEA) and Desired State Configuration (DSC) for more efficient and secure server management.
4. Storage Spaces Direct
- Storage Spaces Direct enables the creation of highly available, scalable storage solutions using local storage from standard servers. This feature is key for Software-Defined Storage (SDS) and is widely used in Hyper-V environments to provide shared storage without the need for SANs.
5. Hyper-V Improvements
- Windows Server 2016 improved the Hyper-V virtualization platform with several features:
- Shielded VMs: Provide better security for virtual machines by encrypting them and preventing unauthorized access, even by hypervisor administrators.
- Nested Virtualization: Allows running Hyper-V within a virtual machine, useful for testing and development.
- Virtual Machine Migration: Improvements for live migration and storage migration.
- Virtual Switch Enhancements: New features like Virtual Network Encryption and Hyper-V Extensible Switch for better networking control and security.
6. Active Directory Improvements
- Enhancements to Active Directory (AD) in Windows Server 2016 include:
- AD Federation Services (ADFS) support for multi-factor authentication.
- Group Managed Service Accounts (gMSA) for better management of service accounts in complex environments.
- Time Zone support for domain controllers to ensure synchronization accuracy.
7. Windows Defender
- Windows Defender is built-in in Windows Server 2016 to provide comprehensive security without the need for third-party software. It offers antivirus protection, exploit guard, and advanced threat protection for a more secure server environment.
8. Remote Desktop Services (RDS) Enhancements
- Windows Server 2016 includes several improvements in RDS, such as better multi-session support, improved management tools, and the ability to run applications from Windows Server 2016 on non-Windows devices using the Remote Desktop Web Client.
9. Networking Enhancements
- Network Controller: A software-defined networking feature that provides centralized network management, monitoring, and automation.
- Software-Defined Networking (SDN): Offers better control over the network infrastructure through automation and improved visibility, making it easier to manage and scale network resources.
- IPv6 Support and Improvements: Better support for IPv6, including more flexible routing and security options.
10. Storage Replica
- Storage Replica enables synchronous replication between servers or clusters, ensuring data protection and disaster recovery. This feature is useful for replicating large datasets across data centers.
11. Cluster Operating System Rolling Upgrade
- With Cluster OS Rolling Upgrade, you can upgrade Windows Server clusters without downtime. This allows for smooth upgrades to new versions of the operating system without interrupting service.
12. Windows Server 2016 Licensing
Windows Server 2016 introduced a new licensing model focused on the number of processor cores and virtual machines used. This change allows for greater flexibility in managing virtualized environments.
