Windows Server 2016 Overview

Windows Server 2016 is a powerful operating system from Microsoft designed for enterprise environments. This version of Windows Server 2016 introduces significant features such as Nano Server, improved Hyper-V virtualization, and enhanced security protocols. In this article, you will learn about the key benefits and updates in Windows Server 2016 that make it a leading choice for server infrastructure.

Following this, Microsoft introduced Windows Server 2019 and the Semi-Annual Channel in 2017. While Microsoft ended mainstream support for Windows Server 2016 on January 11, 2022, it continues to offer extended support until January 12, 2027.

Key Features of Windows Server 2016

Windows Server 2016 adds many features that improve security, performance, and manageability. For example:

Active Directory Federation Services

Administrators can now configure AD FS to authenticate users stored outside Active Directory, including X.500 LDAP directories and SQL databases.

Windows Defender Integration

Windows Server installs and enables Windows Defender Antimalware by default, though without a GUI. Administrators can add the graphical interface as an optional feature.

Remote Desktop Services Enhancements

Windows Server 2016 supports OpenGL 4.4 and OpenCL 1.1, boosting graphics capabilities. Additionally, it includes the MultiPoint Services role to improve multi-user scenarios.

Storage Services Improvements

This release introduces Storage Quality of Service (QoS) policies for centralized control, alongside Storage Replica technology. Storage Replica enables block-level volume replication between servers using SMB3, enhancing disaster recovery.

Failover Clustering

Administrators can perform cluster OS rolling upgrades without downtime. Storage Replica integrates with failover clustering to increase availability.

Web Application Proxy and IIS 10

The system supports preauthentication for HTTP Basic publishing, wildcard domain publishing, and HTTP-to-HTTPS redirection. IIS 10 adds HTTP/2 support, improving web performance.

PowerShell and Containers

PowerShell 5.1 ships with Windows Server 2016, providing powerful automation tools. Meanwhile, Windows Server Containers allow containerized applications to run natively.

Networking Features

Windows Server 2016 includes several networking enhancements:

DHCP and DNS Updates

Since Microsoft deprecated Network Access Protection, the DHCP role no longer supports it. DNS clients and servers now support service binding for multi-interface computers, new DNS policies, and additional DNS record types.

Network Controller and Virtualization

A new Network Controller role centralizes management of virtual and physical network devices. Hyper-V network virtualization adds programmable switches, VXLAN encapsulation, and Microsoft Software Load Balancer interoperability.

IP Address Management (IPAM)

IPAM expands support to subnet ranges like /31, /32, and /128. It improves DNS server discovery and integrates DNS, DHCP, and IP address management more tightly.

Hyper-V Enhancements

Windows Server 2016 improves Hyper-V virtualization with:

• Rolling cluster upgrades to maintain availability during node updates

• Storage QoS for comprehensive monitoring and policy enforcement

• A new binary VM configuration format for faster processing

• Production checkpoints and enhanced Hyper-V Manager tools

• Distribution of integration services via Windows Update

• Hot-add/remove capabilities for network adapters and memory

• Linux secure boot support and connected standby compatibility

• Storage resiliency to pause VMs during storage interruptions

• RDMA-compatible virtual switches for improved network performance

Nano Server: Minimal Footprint Option

Microsoft offers Nano Server as a headless, minimal-footprint installation. It removes the GUI, WoW64 (32-bit support), and Windows Installer. Administrators manage Nano Server remotely using WMI, PowerShell, and Remote Server Management Tools. Notably, Technical Preview 5 restored local PowerShell administration.

Compared to traditional Windows Server, Nano Server provides a 93% smaller VHD size, 92% fewer critical security advisories, and 80% fewer reboots. Initially, Microsoft offers Nano Server only to Software Assurance customers and on cloud platforms like Azure and AWS. From version 1709 onward, Microsoft supports Nano Server only as a container host.

Development and Preview Releases

Satya Nadella merged the Server and System Center teams to streamline development. In early 2017, Microsoft showcased an internal ARM64 version of Windows Server 2016 exclusively for Azure subscribers.

Technical Previews

• Technical Preview 1 (October 2014): Initial public beta.

• Technical Preview 2 (May 2015): Introduced Nano Server and rolling upgrades.

• Technical Preview 3 (August 2015): Added Windows Server Containers and AD FS improvements.

• Technical Preview 4 (November 2015): Expanded Nano Server roles and Hyper-V Containers.

• Technical Preview 5 (April 2016): Focused on container networking, shielded VMs, and refinements.

• Link to your other articles on Windows Server versions (e.g., Windows Server 2019) or related Microsoft server products.

• Link to your content on Hyper-V virtualization or Microsoft Azure services.

Public Release and Licensing Changes

Microsoft released Windows Server 2016 at Ignite 2016. Instead of licensing by CPU socket, Microsoft now sells licenses per core. They require a minimum of 8 core licenses per physical processor and 16 per server. This approach aligns with BizTalk Server 2013 and SQL Server 2014 licensing models.

• Official Microsoft Windows Server 2016 page:
  https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/get-started/windows-server-2016

• Microsoft Ignite conference details:
  https://ignite.microsoft.com/

• Windows Server Nano Server official docs:
  https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/get-started/nano-server

Semi-Annual Channel Releases

Version 1709

Released in October 2017, this version dropped the “2016” branding and offers only Server Core and Nano Server modes. Nano Server is available only as a container image, while Server Core can run on bare metal.

Version 1803

Launched in April 2018, version 1803 was the last Semi-Annual Channel release based on the Server 2016 codebase. Later releases share versions with Windows Server 2019.