Windows Server 2022 - the new server operating system
Windows Server 2022 has been released: After three years, it follows its predecessor from 2019. It is offered with the build number "20348.169, version 21H2" in two basic variants and an additional Datacenter Azure Edition and is aimed, among others, at companies that install their operating system locally and want to avoid using the Microsoft cloud as much as possible.
With the reversion to Windows Server 2022, the Essential version will be omitted and replaced by the Standard edition. In addition, Windows Server 2022 will be offered as a Long Term Servicing Channel, and the previously biannual channel releases will be dispensed with. After five years, mainstream support is to be discontinued on October 23, 2026, while extended support will be maintained until October 14, 2031.
Windows Server 2022: the most important innovations
The focus of Windows Server 2022 is on cooperation with Microsoft Azure, as well as ensuring maximum security. A special role will fall on hybrid networks and the installation of local servers in parallel with virtual servers in Microsoft cloud services. In the Admin Center, Windows Server 2022 datacenters will be more closely connected to Microsoft Azure.
Improving container applications due to reduced graphics sizes and tighter linking of Kubernetes to Windows Server has improved download times for Windows Server 2022, while also making it easier to implement network policies.
Photo: © Microsoft
Also new is the parallel use of Linux and Windows computers. From now on, Linux distributions can be installed directly in the Windows server without the intermediate step of virtualization. The cumbersome manual compression of files during their network transfer is no longer necessary, and the automation saves considerable time. For the embedded virtualization feature, the user no longer needs Intel processors, but can also use AMD processors.
All security systems from Microsoft Azure are directly accessible and can also be used by local data centers. Secured Core Server and Secured Connectivity protect against threats at multiple levels and provide enhanced security when standard HTTPS and TLS 1.3 are enabled. AES-256-GCM and AES-256-CCM for server message block encryption and SMB signing are supported, as is DNS-over-HTTPS.
The Chromium-based Microsoft Edge version can be accessed from the server and allows the use of web services. Capacities can be planned better: The smart technology system Insight feature not only detects current server utilization, but can also forecast future server utilization.
Finally, Storage Replication and Storage Migration Services allow data to be replicated between individual Windows servers.
The three versions of Windows Server 2022
With Windows Server 2022 Standard, Windows Server 2022 Datacenter and Windows Server 2022 Datacenter Azure Edition, Microsoft offers three versions of its Windows Server 2022 - all of which will have to do without the name suffix LTSC from now on. Windows Server Essentials will be maintained as its own license until further notice.
Windows Server 2022 Standard
Windows Server 2022 Standard comes as version 21H2, it is based on the updated Enterprise operating system. From the outside, it hardly differs from Windows 10, an adaptation of Windows 11 was omitted. In total, three areas underwent real changes in the latest version
- With an eye on the highest possible security for WLAN connections, support for WPA3 H2Eis added
- Windows Hello for businesses allows the start-up of new end devices without a password within a few minutes
- GPU computer support in the Windows subsystem for Linux and Azure ensures smart machine learning
The standard version is ideally suited for enterprises with little virtualization but requirements for advanced features.
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Windows Server 2022 Datacenter
The Windows Server 2022 Datacenter as a flexible application platform supports up to 48TB storage capacity as well as 2048 logical cores on a maximum of 64 physical sockets. It allows the automatic activation of virtual computers and is designed for software-defined networks and Storage Spaces Direct. The interaction of hardware with hypervisor-protected code integrity prevents innovative malware attacks in the best possible way.
Those who place high demands on their IT and frequently work with virtual systems will benefit from Windows Server 2022 Datacenter.
Windows Server 2022 Datacenter: Azure Edition (exclusive features!)
Windows Server 2022 Datacenter Azure Edition goes beyond the capabilities of the standard version and Windows Server 2022 Datacenter. Its features are designed exclusively to run in the Microsoft cloud and thus for Azure Stack HCI clusters or as a virtual machine in Azure. Windows Server 2022 Datacenter offers two exclusive features
- Hotpatching allows updates and patches to be installed without rebooting the computer
- Sophisticated encryption even of metadata via SMB using the QUIC network protocol is the new alternative to VPN. It is similar in its functions to the Datacenter Edition Storage Spaces Direct, SMB Direct and SMB over
With Windows Server 2022, Microsoft is ending its operation of container-based apps and cloud apps, and new features will be built directly into Azure Stack HCI. Azure VMs cannot be used by RDMA.
To use Windows Server 2022 Datacenter Azure, a separate license is required to run a VM on Azure IaaS or an Azure Stack HCI cluster.
Photo: © computerbild.de
Windows Server 2022: The basis is Windows 10
Windows Server 2022, with its Windows Server 2022 Standard, Windows Server Datacenter 4 and Windows Server 2022 Datacenter Azure Edition, finds its foundations in Windows 10 21H2. The angular tiles in the Start menu remain, and all other features are also based on the Windows 10 user interface. Internet Explorer and the HTML-based Microsoft Edge are replaced by Chromium Edge.
Nested Virtualization for AMD
In addition to using Nested Virtualization on both Intel and AMD processors, Hyper-V can also be hosted in a virtual machine here: a significant feature, especially with regard to the Windows Subsystem for Linux. The support of Azure AD in containers has been increased by IPv6 support, among other things.
