Windows Server 2022: Everything You Need to Know

Windows Server is part of the server-oriented operating systems developed by Microsoft. It is a server license that allows the deployment of a client-server application architecture, a network infrastructure, and connected web services. There are about ten versions, from Windows NT to the most recent version Windows Server 2022, released in August 2021. The publisher has successfully evolved the technologies and features to provide user companies with reliable and secure environments, in line with new needs for agility, mobility, and hybridization. The latest version continues this trend, offering numerous innovations in key areas such as security, integration, and management of hybrid Azure environments and application platforms across four editions (Windows Server 2022 Essentials, Standard, Datacenter, and Datacenter Azure Edition). Windows Server 2022 is a version designed for longevity and benefits from long-term support through the LTSC (Long Term Servicing Channel) program.

Windows Server 2022 Editions

The Windows Server 2022 editions are defined for different contexts. Thus, Windows Server 2022 Essentials is ideal for small businesses with up to 25 users and 50 connected devices. The Standard version is suitable for lightly virtualized physical environments, and the Datacenter and Datacenter Azure Edition versions are intended for highly virtualized hybrid and cloud environments. The licensing model is based on a specialized server for entry-level versions and on cores for the Standard and Datacenter versions.

The editions share many common server features, such as dynamic memory management, the MMC management console, the server interface, Network Load Balancing, the volume activation service, Windows PowerShell, Windows Server Update, and standard roles like DHCP and DNS servers, file, storage, and print services, web services (IIS). They differ in certain limitations such as the number of VMs allowed, roles like the network controller, specific features, the Azure extended network, which is only present in the Windows Server 2022 Datacenter Azure Edition...

Innovations in Windows Server 2022

Built on the basis of Windows Server 2019, the Windows Server 2022 editions offer numerous innovations in terms of security, application platform, integration, and management of hybrid environments.

Security Innovation

The new security features combine security devices deployed in the various domains of Windows Server 2022. The result is advanced multilayer security, with the Secured-core server system, the use of a Trusted Platform Module (TPM 2.0), firmware protection, and virtualization security. Multilayer security also relies on connection security, the default use of HTTPS and TLS protocols, name resolution, encrypted DNS...

Hybrid Environment Innovation

Another novelty is the integration of Azure hybrid features into Windows Server 2022 to increase system agility in extended and hybrid environments. Versions equipped with the Azure Arc feature offer powerful management of virtualized instances and facilitate the transfer of local Windows servers to Azure instances in the cloud. This version of Windows Server 2022 benefits from many other features such as Azure Automanage Hotpatch allowing hot updates on VMs.

Application Platform Innovation

Regarding innovations related to the application platform, they reside in Windows Container instances, with the reduction of the Windows Container image size and the ability to launch applications managed under Azure Active Directory from group-managed service accounts without connecting to the host connector's domain. In addition to these virtualization aspects, Windows Server 2022 also supports critical applications like SQL Server.

Other Innovations

Several other features have been implemented in this latest generation of Windows Server. These include nested virtualization for AMD processors, improved network performance for UDP (User Datagram Protocol) and TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) protocols, the establishment of a storage migration service, and the acceleration of repair and synchronization routines after a node restart following a data storage problem.

Hardware Requirements for Windows Server 2022

The configuration detailed in this chapter is standard, meaning it does not take into account all possible deployment scenarios. When installing Windows Server 2022, it is necessary to check the prerequisites for each specific server role. It is advisable to conduct test phases to determine the ideal hardware configuration based on the system architecture you wish to implement.

The minimum configuration required is an Intel 1.4 GHz 64-bit processor, which must be compatible with the x64 instruction set and support second-level address translation and functions such as NX and DEP (smart processor resource allocation)... The required memory configuration is 512 MB of ECC (Error Correcting Code) type. For creating a virtual machine, 800 MB should be allocated to this VM. The required disk space is 32 GB with a compliant storage controller and PCI Express specifications. The server on which you install your Windows Server 2022 must be equipped with a network card that complies with PCI Express architecture specifications and offers a minimum throughput of 1 gigabit per second.

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