“Fitted like pieces of a puzzle, its complicated!”
Eric B. & Rakim
As a follow-up to my post about Windows Server 2019, I’m going to write a bit about Windows Server 2022, henceforth referred to as WS2022. Ok, its really not that complicated, but there are additional factors to consider that weren’t present for WS2019.
Versions:
The Essentials, Standard and Datacenter Editions are all functionally the same as their WS2019 counterparts, so you can refer to this post for info on them.
Datacenter: Azure Edition
Includes several features specific to the Microsoft’s cloud computing platform: Microsoft Azure
- Azure Extended Network – Combine on-premises and Azure-based computers into a single subnet
- Hotpatching – Apply updates without having to reboot
- SMB over QUIC – Overcomes a common problem of ISP’s blocking the port that SMB shares use (I have personal experience with this issue; its a nightmare)
- Unlimited Storage Replica – allows files & folders to be replicated across remote networks (similar to DFS Replication, but more efficient)
- Storage Replica Compression – adds compression to the above feature
“Why Not Just Stick with Windows Server 2019/2016/2012 Forever?”
Microsoft does not want you using a particular version of their server software forever; they want you to upgrade to newer versions, and they will taper off support for older versions, until they eventually cancel support altogether. It’s my personal belief that Microsoft labels their server versions with the current year so you can keep track of this. Currently, this support falls into two major categories:
Long Term Servicing Channel (LTSC)
- The more traditional model
- Major updates typically every 2-3 years
- 5 years of Mainstream Support (new features, security updates, patches, etc.)
- After Mainstream Support ends, 5 years of extended support (this is only essential security updates and bug fixes)
Semi-Annual Channel (SAC)
- Newer model, more specific uses
- Major update twice a year
- Total life of support is about 18 months
- More useful for getting latest updates, but much shorter overall support life
- better-suited for businesses using containers, virtual machines, or some other method of easily-swappable server machines
The Azure version looks interesting. I might have to fire up a VM on a test box to see how it works with Azure. Thanks for the write up keep it coming!
Thanks, Stephen! I’m very curious about how the Storage Replica feature compares to the DFS Replication feature in different, real-world settings.
Yeah I wonder how “efficient” replicas really are. MS isn’t always known for doing things the best way. I should read up on it more to see how it differs from DFS.