Windows Server Container Images

Deploying an application in a Windows Server container requires use of a base OS image. Base OS images provide the underlying support for a containerized Windows Server application. Microsoft provides several base OS images, all derived from the corresponding version of Windows Server, and runtime environments, such as for Java, can be layered on top of a base OS image. Containers using smaller base OS images, like Nano Server, launch faster and consume less host memory, but larger base OS images can support more application environments and enable “lift and shift” of legacy applications to a container hosting environment.

All base OS images are supported on the same Long-Term Servicing Channel (LTSC) as the version of Windows Server from which they are derived, with five years of Mainstream support and five years of Extended support.

Nano Server is the smallest base OS image, usually under 100MB. It supports only .NET applications and is most suitable for new application development.

Server Core provides support for traditional .NET Framework applications but with a larger download size of just over 1GB. It is the most commonly used Windows Server base OS image.