Windows Server 19 embraces hybrid cloud, hyperconverged DCs, Linux

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(Image: Microsoft)

21 March 2018

Microsoft is set to make Windows Server 2019 generally available in the second half of the year, opening up access to its preview build through its Insiders programme now and targeting data centres with new features to handle hybrid cloud setups and hyperconverged infrastructure.

The next version of Windows Server also adds new security features and enhances support for containers and Linux.

If you want to check out the release for yourself, sign up for the Insiders programme.

In an announcement, Microsoft noted that general availability of Windows Server 19 will mark the next release in its Long-Term Servicing Channel (LTSC), which essentially rolls up semi-annual Windows Server releases and related tweaks for enterprises that do not want to continuously update their server software.

Project Honolulu’s Hyper-converged infrastructure (HCI) management dashboard in Windows Server 2019 Preview (Image: Microsoft)

A semi-annual channel server update will also go out at about the same time as the Windows Server 19/LTSC release, but Microsoft urges data centres that have workloads involving SQL Server, SharePoint, and Windows-Server-defined workloads to adopt the LTSC release.

Aiming at hybrid cloud
This is the first major release of Windows Server since 2016, and Microsoft is doubling down on features for hybrid cloud deployments. Cloud computing promises operational efficiency and cost optimisation, but most big companies are operating hybrid computing environments for a variety of reasons, including compliance issues.

At its Ignite conference last September, Microsoft introduced Project Honolulu, a browser-based management application. Now, the company says that Windows Server 2019 together with Project Honolulu will allow administrators to integrate existing applications and infrastructure with services such as Azure Backup and Azure File Sync.

In a nod to the popularity of hyperconverged infrastructure, which merges compute and storage systems, Microsoft noted that with Windows Server 16, it worked with hardware providers on validated HCI designs for customers. It says the next release of the server software it will beef up performance, reliability and the ability to scale for such designs.

Meanwhile, to simplify management of hyperconverged infrastructure, Microsoft is also enabling Project Honolulu to act together with Windows Server 19 as a control dashboard for HCI deployments.

Application platform
Microsoft is also enhancing Windows Server as an application platform, saying that one goal is to reduce container image size to optimise download and development time and performance. It says it is shooting to cut the Server Core base container image to a third of its current 5G size.

The company notes that Kubernetes support is now in beta and that Windows Server 19 will enhance compute, storage and networking of Kubernetes clusters.

The company has already offered the ability to run Linux containers side by side with Windows containers on a Windows server, and now with Windows Server 19 will let Linux developers bring scripts to Windows using standard tools like Open SSH, Curl and Tar.

On the security side, it is broadening support for Linux: Windows Server Shielded VMs prevent tampering with virtual machines by anyone except for administrators, and Windows Server 19 will extend Shielded Windows to include Linux VMs.

Though Windows Server 19 has the same licensing model as Windows Server 16, the company warns that it is “highly likely” that pricing will increase for Windows Server Access Licensing (CAL). More details will be available closer to general availability.

 

IDG News Service

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