Hello Dev, if you are a developer or a system administrator, then you know the importance of having a reliable and secure server operating system. Windows Server is a popular choice for many businesses, organizations, and individuals because of its robust features and support. In this article, we will explore the various versions of Windows Server, their features, and their benefits. Let’s get started!
Windows Server 2003
Windows Server 2003 was released in April 2003 and was the successor to Windows 2000 Server. This server operating system was designed for small and medium-sized businesses. It was available in several editions, including Standard, Enterprise, and Datacenter. Some of the features of Windows Server 2003 included:
Feature |
Description |
|---|---|
Active Directory |
A centralized directory service for managing network resources |
Internet Information Services (IIS) |
A web server for hosting websites and web applications |
Remote Desktop Services |
A feature for accessing desktops and applications remotely |
FAQ
Q: Is Windows Server 2003 still supported?
A: No, Windows Server 2003 reached its end of life in July 2015.
Q: Can I still use Windows Server 2003?
A: Yes, you can still use Windows Server 2003, but it is not recommended as it is no longer receiving security updates.
Q: What should I do if I am still using Windows Server 2003?
A: You should consider upgrading to a newer version of Windows Server to ensure that your infrastructure is secure and supported.
Windows Server 2008
Windows Server 2008 was released in February 2008 and was the successor to Windows Server 2003. This server operating system was available in several editions, including Standard, Enterprise, and Datacenter. Some of the features of Windows Server 2008 included:
Feature |
Description |
|---|---|
Server Manager |
A centralized management console for managing server roles and features |
PowerShell |
A command-line interface for automating administrative tasks |
Network Access Protection (NAP) |
A feature for enforcing compliance policies for network clients |
FAQ
Q: Is Windows Server 2008 still supported?
A: No, Windows Server 2008 reached its end of life in January 2020.
Q: Can I still use Windows Server 2008?
A: Yes, you can still use Windows Server 2008, but it is not recommended as it is no longer receiving security updates.
Q: What should I do if I am still using Windows Server 2008?
A: You should consider upgrading to a newer version of Windows Server to ensure that your infrastructure is secure and supported.
Windows Server 2008 R2
Windows Server 2008 R2 was released in October 2009 and was an update to Windows Server 2008. This server operating system was available in several editions, including Standard, Enterprise, and Datacenter. Some of the features of Windows Server 2008 R2 included:
Feature |
Description |
|---|---|
RemoteFX |
A feature for delivering a rich virtual desktop experience |
DirectAccess |
A feature for providing secure remote access to a corporate network |
Hyper-V |
A hypervisor for virtualizing server workloads |
FAQ
Q: Is Windows Server 2008 R2 still supported?
A: No, Windows Server 2008 R2 reached its end of life in January 2020.
Q: Can I still use Windows Server 2008 R2?
A: Yes, you can still use Windows Server 2008 R2, but it is not recommended as it is no longer receiving security updates.
Q: What should I do if I am still using Windows Server 2008 R2?
A: You should consider upgrading to a newer version of Windows Server to ensure that your infrastructure is secure and supported.
Windows Server 2012
Windows Server 2012 was released in September 2012 and was the successor to Windows Server 2008 R2. This server operating system was available in several editions, including Standard and Datacenter. Some of the features of Windows Server 2012 included:
Feature |
Description |
|---|---|
Server Manager |
A centralized management console for managing server roles and features |
Hyper-V |
A hypervisor for virtualizing server workloads |
Storage Spaces |
A feature for virtualizing storage and providing resiliency and scalability |
FAQ
Q: Is Windows Server 2012 still supported?
A: Yes, Windows Server 2012 is still supported and will receive security updates until October 2023.
Q: Can I still use Windows Server 2012?
A: Yes, you can still use Windows Server 2012.
Q: What should I do if I want to upgrade from Windows Server 2008 or Windows Server 2008 R2?
A: You should consider upgrading to Windows Server 2012 or a newer version of Windows Server to ensure that your infrastructure is secure and supported.
Windows Server 2012 R2
Windows Server 2012 R2 was released in October 2013 and was an update to Windows Server 2012. This server operating system was available in several editions, including Standard and Datacenter. Some of the features of Windows Server 2012 R2 included:
Feature |
Description |
|---|---|
Work Folders |
A feature for synchronizing user files across devices |
Web Application Proxy |
A feature for publishing and protecting web applications |
Windows PowerShell 4.0 |
An updated version of PowerShell for automating administrative tasks |
FAQ
Q: Is Windows Server 2012 R2 still supported?
A: Yes, Windows Server 2012 R2 is still supported and will receive security updates until October 2023.
Q: Can I still use Windows Server 2012 R2?
A: Yes, you can still use Windows Server 2012 R2.
Q: What should I do if I want to upgrade from Windows Server 2012?
A: You should consider upgrading to a newer version of Windows Server to ensure that your infrastructure is secure and supported.
Windows Server 2016
Windows Server 2016 was released in September 2016 and was the successor to Windows Server 2012 R2. This server operating system was available in several editions, including Standard and Datacenter. Some of the features of Windows Server 2016 included:
Feature |
Description |
|---|---|
Nano Server |
A lightweight version of Windows Server for running cloud-native applications |
Windows Server Containers |
A feature for running isolated applications in containers |
Storage Replica |
A feature for replicating data between servers or clusters |
FAQ
Q: Is Windows Server 2016 still supported?
A: Yes, Windows Server 2016 is still supported and will receive security updates until January 2027.
Q: Can I still use Windows Server 2016?
A: Yes, you can still use Windows Server 2016.
Q: What should I do if I want to upgrade from Windows Server 2012 or Windows Server 2012 R2?
A: You should consider upgrading to Windows Server 2016 or a newer version of Windows Server to ensure that your infrastructure is secure and supported.
Windows Server 2019
Windows Server 2019 was released in October 2018 and is the latest version of Windows Server. This server operating system is available in several editions, including Standard and Datacenter. Some of the features of Windows Server 2019 include:
Feature |
Description |
|---|---|
System Insights |
A feature for predicting future system resource needs |
Windows Admin Center |
A web-based management console for managing servers, clusters, and hyper-converged infrastructure |
Storage Migration Service |
A feature for migrating servers and data to newer versions of Windows Server |
FAQ
Q: Is Windows Server 2019 still supported?
A: Yes, Windows Server 2019 is still supported and will receive security updates until January 2029.
Q: Can I still use Windows Server 2019?
A: Yes, you can still use Windows Server 2019.
Q: What should I do if I want to upgrade from Windows Server 2016?
A: You should consider upgrading to Windows Server 2019 or a newer version of Windows Server to ensure that your infrastructure is secure and supported.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are many versions of Windows Server to choose from. Each version has its own set of features and benefits. If you are still using an older version of Windows Server, it is important to consider upgrading to a newer version to ensure that your infrastructure is secure and supported. We hope that this article has been informative and helpful. Thank you for reading!