Windows Server 2016 Datacenter Edition is the version of the highly virtualized software built for private and hybrid cloud environments. Your datacenter can be run with an automated and resilient operating system and will have access to many of the same cloud-efficient features found in Microsoft Azure datacenters. Users can change existing applications into cloud-ready solutions and help developers to create new ones using containers, micro services, and Nano Server. Powerful tools to save time and reduce costs Windows Server 2016 also helps to prevent malicious attacks against your system with a strengthened security suite that also detects any suspicious activity as a preventative measure. Users can change existing applications into cloud-ready solutions and help developers to create new apps using containers, micro services, and the new Nano Server. Your data center can be run with an automated and resilient operating system and will have access to many of the same cloud-efficient features found in Microsoft Azure data centers. Nano Server Nano Server boasts a 92 percent smaller installation footprint than the Windows Server graphical user interface (GUI) installation option. Built-In Containers Develop and manage with agility thanks to Windows Server and Hyper-V containers Added Layers of Security Enhance security and reduce risk with multiple layers of built-in protection New Deployment Options Increase availability and reduce resource usage with the lightweight Nano Server Strengthen your security Help prevent malicious attacks and detect suspicious activity where it matters: your operating system and workloads. Cost-Efficient Storage Build highly available, scalable software-defined storage and reduce costs Respond faster with rapid network scale Move your network-control layer from hardware to software. Automatically balance and shift workloads without setting switches. Increase application isolation Help protect container-based applications with Hyper-V containers. Use the distributed firewall, a software-defined networking capability, to control internal and external network traffic to virtual machines. Build cloud and hybrid apps Combine the benefits of containers with Nano server, Azure Service Fabric, and Windows Server for true business agility in cloud-native apps. Features Nano Server. Nano Server boasts a 92 percent smaller installation footprint than the Windows Server graphical user interface (GUI) installation option. Built-In Containers. Move existing apps to containers with little or no code changes. Enable “write-once, run anywhere” apps to deploy on-premises, to any cloud, or in a hybrid architecture with containers. It’s consistency across dev, test, and production. Shielded Virtual Machines. Increase application isolation with Hyper-V containers. Added Layers of Security. Linux Secure Boot. Resilient File System (ReFS). Active Directory Federation Services (ADFS). Enhance Security with Windows Server 2016. Protect Administrator Credentials using Credential Guard and Remote Credential Guard. Detect security threats quickly using Microsoft Operations Management Suite Insights & Analytics tools to set up alerts and reporting. Run current applications on a secure, software-defined fabric without modifying them. Take advantage of enhanced security and efficiency features on the fabric. Increase efficiency & agility with a software-defined datacenter. Blend physical and virtual infrastructures through software-defined compute, storage, and networking technologies. Innovate faster when you build apps on Windows Server with a modern DevOps environment. Bring agility, scale, and security benefits to existing applications, while building next-generation applications optimized for the cloud. Run current applications on a secure, software-defined fabric without modifying them. Take advantage of enhanced security and efficiency features on the fabric. Build cloud and hybrid apps with Nano server, Azure Service Fabric, and Windows Server for true business agility in cloud-native apps. Compare Windows Server 2016 Editions Feature Essentials Standard Datacenter Core functionality of Windows Server OSEs / Windows Server containers with Hyper-V isolation 2 Unlimited Windows Server containers Host Guardian Service Nano Server Software Assurance Required Software Assurance Required Storage features including Storage Spaces Direct and Storage Replica Shielded Virtual Machines Networking stack Licensing Model Specialty servers Core-based Core-based CAL Requirements No CAL required Windows Server CAL Windows Server CAL With Windows Server 2016 Datacenter, users gain access to features such as server virtualization, storage, software-defined networking, web application platforms, server management and automation, information protection, virtual desktops, and much more. One of Microsoft’s newest features with 2016 is Nano Server, a headless installation option for Windows Server 2016, and has a 93% lower VHD size than Windows Server.
