Windows Server 2022 is the latest release in Microsoft's server operating system. It boasts multiple new and advanced features to enhance security, performance, network and cloud capabilities. The software is licensed per core, along with additional core packs that are sold separately. Whether you want multi-layered protection, support for modern hardware, improved IT infrastructure or enhanced application performance, Windows Server 2022 serves all purposes. However, to ensure its optimal utilization in your organization, it's crucial to understand its key features and licensing, which we'll discuss in this blog.

Key Features of Windows Server 2022

Advanced Security: Windows Server 2022 is equipped with a robust set of security features, providing comprehensive protection for your data and systems. From the advanced secured-core server that defends against sophisticated attacks to the secured core that shields against firmware-level threats, it's a fortress for your digital assets. Its VBS protection further fortifies your defenses, preventing attacks from spreading to other parts of the server system.

Storage Enhancements: Windows Server 2022 key features include advanced catching to store important data on faster values. It also has a ReFS file to improve data integrity and support large volumes. Moreover, its faster and more manageable storage enhances performance and resilience.

Hybrid Cloud Integration: Windows Server 2022 integrates with Azure Arc and Azure Stack HCI, which allows businesses to extend on-premises infrastructure. This allows you to support visualization outside the network and hybrid cloud scenarios to increase flexibility and scalability.  

Container Support: It offers great support to containers by offering a flexible platform for their updating. The smaller and 30% faster containers optimize container image size and performance, allowing you to modify the critical applications, like SQL Server. 

Advanced Management Tools: Windows Server 2022 has a Windows admin center, a web-based centralized management tool for managing Windows servers and simplifying troubleshooting tasks. Its enhanced server manager improves functionality and monitoring.

Improved Hardware Support: Windows Server 2022 has extended the server hardware limitations. It can perform on an old server with 2GB RAM and also on a server which is much more powerful than that. This server supports TPM 2 and Intel's Ice Lake SGX processor, which improves security, compliance, and support.

Advancements in Network: The Windows Server 2022 update improved the two main protocols, UDP and TCP. UDP enhances application performance by reducing CPU load, while TCP reduces packet loss and Rack which decreases transmission time.

Windows Server 2022 Licensing

Windows Server 2022 has two main edition options - Standard and Datacenter. Both opinions offer different features and capabilities for businesses to meet their organization requirements. The Standard edition is best for small to medium-sized businesses with less visualization needs, while the Datacenter has unlimited virtualization needs, making it perfect for cloud-based environments. It has a Core-Based Licensing model in which each physical core requires a license (minimum 8 cores per processor). There are options for both per-core and per-server licensing in Windows Server 2022. One purchase includes 16 core licenses per server; therefore, if you have more than 16 cores, you need to buy additional licenses. 16 cores can be used to run 2 operating system environments seamlessly.

Conclusion

Windows Server 2022 is an advanced and updated server that offers valuable features and licensing options to improve performance and scalability. From improved security and storage enhancements to advanced management tools and improved hardware, its features streamline business processes. Understanding these features and licensing options allows you to make informed decisions about Windows Server 2022 and its deployment.