WHAT IS A SERVER?
How servers work
The term server can refer to a physical machine, a virtual machine or to software that is performing server services. The way that a server works varies considerably depending on how the word server is beign used.
WHAT IS WINDOWS SERVER?
Windows Server is a group of operating systems designed by Microsoft that supports enterprise-level management, data storage, applications, and communications. Previous versions of Windows Server have focused on stability, security, networking, and various improvements to the file system. Other improvements also have included improvements to deployment technologies, as well as increased hardware support. Microsoft has also created specialized SKUs of Windows Server that focus on the home and small business markets. Windows Server 2012 R2 is the latest release of Windows Server, and focuses on cloud computing.
Windows Server Versions
The following table describes the current documented versions of Windows Server.
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| Windows Server 2012 R2 and Windows Server 2012 | Emphasizes cloud support with features such as improved IP-addressing, updated Hyper-V, and a new file system (ReFS). Windows Server 2012 R2 includes enhancements to virtualization, management, storage, networking, virtual desktop infrastructure, access protection, information protection, web services, and application platform infrastructure. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Windows Server 2008 R2 and Windows Server 2008 | Includes a number of additional security and administrative features shared with Windows Vista: a re-written networking stack, improved Firewall, additional .NET Framework technology, and numerous improvements to the kernel, file, and memory systems. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Integrates a number of features from Windows XP. Includes improved networking installation and integration, improved web services, and increased capabilities for DTFS.
A server administrator, or admin has the overall control of a server. This is usually in the context of a business organization, where a server administrator oversees the performance and condition of multiple servers in the business organization, or it can be in the context of a single person running a game server.
WHAT IS WINDOWS SERVER ADMINISTRATION?
Windows Server Administration is an advanced computer networking topic that includes server installation and configuration, server roles, storage, Active Directory and Group Policy, file, print, and web services, remote access, virtualization, application servers, troubleshooting, performance, and reliability How Windows Server Administrator Works.A Windows Server administrator is responsible for installing software, updates, and security patches to a Microsoft Windows Server. Additional responsibilities of the Windows Server administrator are to maintain the computer servers on the back end, monitor server performance, and perform system backups on a regular basis, pending the needs of the business. You may also be expected to maintain, update, and upgrade the hardware and software of the computer systems. You are also responsible for providing technical support to other administrators, technical staff, and customers. Windows Server 2022 vs. 2019: New Features and ImprovementsWindows Server 2022 vs. 2019 has become a hot topic recently, with the release of the latest version of the popular Microsoft Windows Server OS in August 2021. As always, the cost of upgrading to a new server OS is a primary consideration. However, as the trend towards remote work and cloud storage and management continues, organizations may find it worth upgrading to the new OS, given its new features and focus on improved security. Another impetus for upgrading is the end of mainstream support for Windows Server 2019 in January 2024. While extended support remains available until 2029, this may require additional costs for some features. This article discusses the key differences between Windows Server 2022 and 2019, the Windows 2019 features that are being deprecated in Windows 2022, and how you can useParallel remote application server ) to extend either Windows 2022 or Windows 2019. Is It Worth Upgrading to Windows Server 2022?Windows Server remains a popular server OS among organizations, despite stiff competition. In response to the rising popularity of cloud computing, Microsoft introduced native Azure support in Windows Server 2019. The cloud computing capabilities in the previous version are further extended and improved in Windows Server 2022, which comes in three editions However, the attendant costs may dissuade organizations from immediately upgrading, as with any software upgrade. This same consideration prevented many organizations from upgrading older Windows server OS versions when Windows 2019 came out. If you have not upgraded to Windows 2019 yet, you can skip that upgrade and go directly to Windows 2022. So, should you upgrade your servers running Windows 2019 and older to Windows Server 2022? Let us check out its new features and improvements to help you decide. What’s New in Windows Server 2022?The core features introduced in Windows Server 2022 can be divided into security features, azure hybrid capabilities, and the application platform. SecurityAlthough Microsoft introduced Advanced Threat Protection in Windows Server 2019, new threats posing increased risks for organizations keep emerging. In response, Microsoft further improved security in Windows Server 2022, including new key security features such as hardware root-of-trust, firmware protection, and virtualization-based security. Central to the concept of security in Windows Server 2022 is Secured-Core Server, which protects the hardware, firmware, and OS against threats using Trusted Platform Module 2.0 and Windows Defender System Guard. The Secure Message Block (SMB) network file sharing protocol is now encrypted by default, enhancing security. Other improvements include enabling hypervisor-protected code integrity by default and using the Windows Defender Credential Guard virtualization-based isolation technology for protecting credentials, among other sensitive assets, that pass through your networks. Tying these all up is a client capable of performing Domain Name System (DNS) lookups over Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure (HTTPS), preventing potential interference with such lookups. Azure Hybrid CapabilitiesIn terms of Azure support, the improved SMB runs the QUIC protocol instead of the traditional Transport Control Protocol (TCP), allowing users to access file servers running on Azure wherever they are located—on-premises or on Azure—without requiring a virtual private network (VPN). Azure Arc is now supported, helping bring on-premises and multi-cloud environments to Azure and hotpatching, which installs updates on Windows Server VMs without requiring a reboot. Application PlatformAside from encrypting anything that goes through SMB, the data that passes through it is also compressed, preventing performance slowdowns. You can also use the new browser-based Windows Admin Center to control your server infrastructure instead. Key Feature Differences in Windows Server 2022 vs. 2019To help determine the winner in a Windows Server 2022 vs. Windows Server 2019 showdown, you can look at the table below, which summarizes the major differences between the two versions.
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