Windows Server 2019 includes several improved capabilities that help companies be more productive. For example, it has LinuxKit support for a Linux subsystem on Windows Server, mature container capabilities, and Kubernetes support to make deploying applications in hybrid environments easier. Another essential feature is Shielded Virtual Machines. This helps prevent attacks by preventing access to VMs from external hosts.
Storage Spaces Direct
Regarding software-defined storage, the Windows Server 2019 standard offers several advanced features. These include hardware acceleration and cloud integration that help organizations store and manage data more efficiently. It also provides tools to help companies comply with regulatory and data privacy requirements. Additionally, the platform offers centralized management tools that allow users to monitor and manage systems from a single location. This makes it easier for businesses to streamline IT operations and increase productivity. One of Windows Server 2019 Standard’s most essential features is its virtualization support. This allows businesses to run applications and services in the cloud or on-premises, which helps them save money and maximize resources. The platform also includes security improvements like shielded virtual machines that protect data from malware and other threats. The platform also has a new cluster storage feature called Storage Spaces Direct (S2D). This is designed to pool storage across servers for software-defined storage. With S2D, you can use either traditional hard drives or SSDs. It supports two-node clusters that provide fault tolerance by using mirroring.
Storage Migration
Storage migration is a necessary part of any network. All media will eventually fail; the goal is to get data onto new media before that happens. The Windows Server 2019 Storage Migration feature makes that process easier for IT admins. This feature is part of the Windows Server 2019 extension for Microsoft Admin Center (WAC). It makes migrating file servers and their associated files, shares, permissions, and more between different Windows Server versions or Azure VMs is easy. It also works with Linux servers running Samba, making it easy to move between those platforms.
Encryption Enabled Subnets
The latest version of the Windows server offers more options to work with a hybrid cloud, better support for Linux, and a host of other improvements. These include shielded virtual machines, innovations in the storage subsystem, and an improved Windows Admin Center. It also includes tools that help organizations meet regulatory and data privacy requirements. A significant improvement in this release is the ability to encrypt network traffic on a per-subnet basis. This is possible through a certificate stored on a network controller and a PowerShell script run on VMs in each subnet. This allows users to prevent the leakage of sensitive information, whether in motion or at rest. Another important feature in this release is Microsoft Defender application control. This is a set of rules that protect against malware and zero-day attacks. It monitors incoming connections for code integrity and stops processes known to bypass the standard security model of the OS. It also detects malicious behavior and helps administrators respond quickly.
Virtual Network Encryption
With so many data breaches in the news lately, IT admins are always concerned about security. Microsoft is working to close one potential security gap in its Hyper-V virtualization platform by enabling encryption between two virtual machines. It’s an easy feature to turn on and can make a big difference in data leak protection if there is a breach. Windows Server 2019 is built around a few key features:
- The ability to work with a hybrid cloud.
- Better Linux support.
- Increased security through shielded virtual machines.
- Innovations in the storage subsystem.
The new server also offers a single pane of glass for management through the Windows Admin Center. Another significant improvement comes from improved scalability and speed for Storage Spaces Direct. This enables up to four petabytes per cluster, a massive leap over what was previously available for this feature. Microsoft is also introducing a new file deduplication system called ReFS, which reduces storage space requirements by eliminating duplicate data blocks. This makes it much easier to save on storage costs, especially for those servers that require a lot of data.
Role-Based Access Control
Role-based access control lets enterprises grant permissions to staff members based on their needs. For example, a server administrator could only be granted access to servers and other relevant equipment within the data center but not communal areas like the office. This helps eliminate the risk of unauthorized access or privilege abuse. It also gives admins confidence that staff can only access areas and resources essential to their work. Microsoft has addressed security in several ways in Windows Server 2019. The OS now uses Windows Defender Advanced Threat Protection, which monitors the system and stops malware processes that aren’t part of standard operating systems. Finally, the OS has a Linux kernel, meaning it can be run on open-source software and apps without needing to install an additional kernel. The kernel is designed for performance and works with the Storage Spaces Direct feature, which improves storage efficiency through hardware acceleration and removing duplicate data blocks.
System Insights
System Insights is a feature that allows server admins to predict capacity requirements. The software uses machine learning to warn of impending resource shortages by analyzing historical usage patterns. Moreover, it can also issue scripts that can automatically intervene to prevent shortages. Lastly, this software can help server administrators improve their performance by enabling them to configure servers more efficiently. Another key feature of Windows Server 2019 Standard is the ability to protect data with encryption-enabled subnets. This technology uses datagram transport layer security to encrypt packets between virtual machines. This prevents eavesdropping and manipulation of data by anyone with physical network access. In addition, it provides tools to help enterprises comply with regulations like GDPR and CCPA.
