Introduction

Wes Miller analyzes and writes about Microsoft’s security, identity management, and systems management technologies. Before joining Directions on Microsoft, Wes... more

Windows Server 2016 will deliver new capabilities for managing and securing software-defined data centers, as well as enhancements to some roles of Remote Desktop Services. Upgrading from Windows Server 2012 or 2012 R2 should require minimal effort, and customers running earlier versions of the OS will also likely target it when their versions are no longer supported. However, some features of the new OS version will require new hardware and updated server applications. Significant licensing changes will affect future upgrades. The new version is expected early in the second half of 2016.

Software-Defined Data Center

Compared to past versions, Windows Server 2016 offers a better software-defined data-center platform, where servers and software can provide a scalable infrastructure for virtualization, Web applications, and other workloads, using the same tools and technology as Microsoft’s Azure public cloud.

The capabilities will most likely appeal to third-party hosting providers and organizations that want the scalability and management features of Azure, but prefer to keep resources and control on-premises.

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