Originally, Windows Server 2017 was about to be released at about the same time as Windows 10, which is available since the end of July, but the release is only 2017. However, it is already certain that Microsoft has donated many new and exciting features to its new server operating system. We’ve summarized the most important facts for you.
Virtualization: The new features of Hyper-V
Microsoft has significantly expanded its virtualization technology Hyper-V for Windows Server 2017. New are the rolling cluster updates. They allow cluster nodes to be added to existing Hyper-V clusters created in Windows Server 2012 R2 without the need to descend the systems. In such a mixing system, virtual machines can also be arbitrarily moved between the individual nodes, and migrations can be migrated to 2017 as required and without great effort.
Backups and Security
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Azure Cloud connection
Nested Virtualization, the so-called nested virtualization, is also possible with Windows Server 2017. The administrator can create additional virtual machines within a virtual machine. These VMs are less suitable for productive operation, but they are all the more worthwhile if it is necessary to create secure test environments for software.
NanoServer: Miniformat server
For the system files of the virtual machines, Windows Server 2017 no longer uses the XML format, but the binary formats VMCX (for configuration files) and VMRS (for runtime files). Both can be read and written faster. However, the binary format prevents you from editing the configuration files yourself (which makes the server less vulnerable to crashes, according to Microsoft).
The production checkpoints extend the backup options for virtual machines on Windows Server 2017, and complement the regular snapshots. Production checkpoints are designed for ongoing operation and create a snapshot of the entire virtual machine using the data security methods of the guest system. For Windows, Server 2017 uses the VSS shadow shadow service, and the system buffer on Linux servers. Running applications are not backed up when creating a production checkpoint, but the operating system behaves like a regular OS boot after recovery.
Another new recovery feature is the Storage Replica. This feature is primarily intended for data recovery and is designed to save companies from buying expensive SAN products. Storage Replica uses SMB protocol 3.0 to synchronize data between the servers in a given location, which can help, for example, prevent a loss of data that threatens a defective server. Cluster-level data can secure Storage Replica between individual data centers, an important feature for larger organizations.
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With Windows Server Antimalware, Windows Server 2017 includes an antivirus program that runs inconspicuously in the background, protecting the server from computer plagues during installation. The updates are imported as Windows 10 via Windows Update. A graphical user interface does not bring the antimalware tool with the default setting. The GUI can be retrofitted at any time via the Server Manager. Windows Antimalware, however, offers only one basic protection, and the admin should strengthen it with a commercial anti-virus protection.
Lesetipp: Antivirus test 2017
Security Guard also helps the Host Guardian, a further development of the DHCP and Routing Guards of Windows Server 2012 R2. HostGuardian can isolate individual virtual machines from other VMs and from the host to ensure that the virtual system does not cause any further damage.
Microsoft has closely linked Windows Server 2017 to its in-house cloud service Azure and is now going to provide its features for private clouds. Organizations can build their own Azure-based cloud with the Azure Pack and roll out their applications internally as a PaaS and IaaS service. Also running are containers of the open-source Docker tool, which can be deployed on a local server or virtualized through the Azure cloud.
Windows Server 2017 will support a nano-server installation, which is not yet included in the current test version. The NanoServer is a rudimentary edition of Windows Server, which includes essential features such as Hyper-V, clustering, and .NET support, and is designed to deal with less than ten percent of the Windows server's memory requirements. A graphical user interface is missing from the nanoserver as well as management tools and a local logon. Both can only be done via the network using WMI (Windows Management Instrumentation) or PowerShell.
New start menu and multiple virtual desktops
According to Microsoft, the nanoserver is optimized for Windows server and Hyper-V containers and generally for cloud-based apps and deployment scenarios. Due to its extremely slim design, the minimal installation of Windows Server 2017 requires considerably fewer updates and thus also offers a much smaller attack surface for viruses and other malware. According to a blog post on Technet, the nanoserver will need 92 percent fewer updates than the Windows server and can host Windows server and Hyper-V containers next to Docker containers.
If you install the graphical user interface under Server 2017, some changes will occur immediately. Microsoft has not updated the GUI. However, unlike Server 2012, the start menu will return and look the same as for Windows 10, except for the missing miniature pre-screens. The buttons for shutting down and restarting the system are also included in the Start menu.
Conclusion
Server 2017, as well as Windows 10, controls task view. Users are no longer limited to a single desktop, but can create additional desktops and distribute the open applications as required. The applications allow you to switch [ALT] + [TAB] or [WINDOWS] + [TAB] as usual using the key combinations.
Microsoft has significantly improved the Windows server in its core functions of administration, security, virtualization and cloud integration, and equipped it with practical additional features such as the nano installation. The newly-laced whole server package will benefit small and medium-sized enterprises as well as large corporations.
With the Technical Preview 2, Microsoft offers the second preview for free download. The trial version will run until 15 October 2017. Windows Server 2017 is available as an ISO file or as a VHD image.
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