Microsoft has just released the latest version of its server OS lineup, Windows Server 2022. As Microsoft has deprecated the Semi-Annual release channel for Windows Server releases the latest Windows Server 2022 will receive 10 years of support. The end of regular support has been scheduled for 10/13/2026 while the extended support will end on 10/14/2031.
Windows Server comes in three editions: Standard, Datacenter, and Datacenter (Azure Edition). Microsoft has discontinued the Internet Storage Name Service (iSNS) with this release, although users will be still able to connect to iSNS servers or add iSCSI targets individually.
Guarded Fabric and Shielded VM’s, along with launching SConfig from a CMD window have also been removed from development.
Here’s what is new in Windows Server 2022
- Secured-core server protections that are useful against sophisticated attacks for better security. Easy configuration of the security features.
- Advanced protection: hardware root-of-trust, firmware protection, virtualization-based security (VBS).
- HTTPS and TLS 1.3 transports are enabled by default.
- Secure DNS: Encrypted DNS name resolution requests with DNS-over-HTTPS
- Server Message Block (SMB): SMB AES-256 encryption for the most security-conscious
- SMB: East-West SMB encryption controls for internal cluster communications
- SMB over QUIC.
- SMB compression.
- Azure hybrid capabilities: Azure Arc enabled.
- Azure Automanage – hot patch.
- Several platform improvements for Windows Containers, including application compatibility and the Windows Container experience with Kubernetes. The Windows Container image size is reduced by up to 40%, which leads to a 30% faster startup time and better performance.
- Nested virtualization for AMD processors.
- Microsoft Edge Chromium is included.
- Storage Migration Service.
- Adjustable storage repair speed.
- Storage bus cache with Storage Spaces on standalone servers.