While it is true, Windows Server is one of the most recognized Microsoft services today. Thus, distribution of said technology company that has been designed for the use of servers , especially.
In this sense, because it is a multi-process and multi-user system , it reveals many advantages for the organizations that make use of it. Either execute several server functions and different operating systems on a single server, as well as reduce the amount of hardware required to run server workloads and minimize the configuration time of both software and hardware.
That is why, it is necessary to know everything about Windows Server. But, especially, its origin and evolution , as well as all existing versions to date , detailing its main features.
Index:
What is Windows Server and what is this Microsoft tool for?
To begin with, it is important to know what this Microsoft tool consists of and therefore, we define it as a distribution of said company for the use of servers . Which basically means that it is a server operating system that allows a computer to handle network functions. Which, is multithreaded and multi-user , as we indicated earlier.
It should be noted that, Windows Server is developed in the C ++ programming language that is widely used by billions of companies around the world, in view of the excellent features and benefits it provides. Taking into account that, this is a system that can be used by all employees of a certain company, so that manages to centralize the management and administration of files .
In addition to this, the distribution of Microsoft in question, favors the work of developers and programmers, since it allows to improve operating results completely . Among other advantages, we point out that it has a very simple and flexible administration; therefore, it can be handled quickly and efficiently.
Origin
In reference to the origin of this important tool, we highlight that its first version was “Windows 2000 Server” which, as its name implies, was launched at the beginning of the new millennium in 2000 .
Since then, it was cataloged as an ideal solution for when it was not required to have a server dedicated to each task, for the possibility of having everything centralized on a single server , thanks to this tool that , at that time, it had the ability to support up to four processors . Reason why, it was conceived to operate as the file, print and web server of various companies.
Evolution
As you know, over time, Microsoft has added notable improvements to the Windows Server system and its latest version, is in the year 2019 ; This is the most recent.
For this reason, in view of the remarkable significance of this Microsoft tool, it is valuable to know the evolution it has had from its first version to the newest, in a summarized way. Bearing in mind that, as the years go by, has adapted more to the needs of today’s world .
In this sense, we specify that its ease of administration has been increasing from each version, so it is very easy to manage the work of developers and programmers.
Added to this, the performance has also increased in the most current versions and from 2000 to 2019 its developer community has been greatly increased, so are already more applications and systems running with this server operating system .
Full timeline of all versions of Windows Server created by Microsoft
Specified the above around the evolution of Windows Server, it is necessary to know each of the versions that this OS has had since its inception . So, then, chronologically, we announce the main features and details of each of these:
Windows Server 2000
Release date: February 17, 2000
As we indicated, the origin of this Microsoft tool lies in the early 2000s , specifically. Which, at the beginning, was simply software designed for implementation in web service servers.
Main features:
- Among the tasks that Server 2000 can perform, include: create user accounts, assign resources and privileges, act as a web server , FTP, print server, DNS or resolution of domain names and DHCP server.
- It was very simple to use, since it had a poorly saturated interface . In addition, it displayed typified menus and the scheme icons work infrequently and disappear from the established menu. It also had an HTML-based search assistant to perform targeted searches of local devices and remote files.
- It had a large-capacity MultiLanguage version that you can modify from one language to another without the requirement to restart the device. Even when you have an application in Spanish and another in English, you manage to work with both languages concurrently.
- He added techniques in order to show established networks much more comfortable to make, install, manage and accept .
Windows Server 2003
Release date: April 24, 2003
Three years after the first version of Windows Server, the second proposal appeared in order to improve with respect to the security domain. Which, based on NT technology and in the case of its version of the NT kernel, belongs to 5.2 .
Main features:
- In reference to the most important server functions it handles , we highlight that they are: Web server and web applications, file and print server, mail server, directory server, system DN domain, DHCP server, remote access server / virtual private network (VPN), streaming server, etc.
- This version of Windows Server was categorized as one of the safest and faster than there has been , compared to the other server operating systems. Taking into account that, it provides great reliability, availability, scalability and keeps business information protected.
- Guarantees a great economy and especially when combined with other Microsoft products such as software and hardware, to allow you to obtain the highest return on infrastructure investments made.
- It is responsible for offering tools that allow you to implement, manage and use your network infrastructure to get the best possible productivity from flexible tools, automated tasks, etc.
Windows Server 2008
Release date: February 04, 2008
After five years of the establishment of 2003, a new version of Windows Server emerged that stood out from the rest for having many similarities with Windows Vista . This, mainly, because both systems shared specific areas of Microsoft code. Taking into account that, due to its particularities, this version could change the way the OS is used, drastically.
Main features:
- It included a new NTFS system repair process, being a background process that repairs damaged files with great efficiency. In addition, it supported the creation of user sessions in parallel, so decreases timeouts in Terminal Services.
- Many improvements were noted in terms of the performance of Windows Server virtualization , in general. Which, currently, is a transcendental technology in data centers.
- Windows Server 2008 managed to optimize the web application platform and offered 30 to 40 times faster access to the multimedia servers.
- It stood out for providing malware protection in loading drivers in memory.
- It is the old version that had more editions available :
- Windows Server 2008 Standard Edition (x86 and x86-64).
- Windows Server 2008 R2 All Editions (Only 64Bit).
- Windows Server 2008 Enterprise Edition (x86 and x86-64).
- Windows Server 2008 Datacenter Edition (x86 and x86-64).
- Windows HPC Server 2008 (replaces Windows Compute Cluster Server 2003).
- Windows Web Server 2008 (x86 and x86-64).
- Windows Storage Server 2008 (x86 and x86-64).
Windows Small Business Server 2008 (Code name «Cougar») (x86-64) for small businesses s.
- Windows Essential Business Server 2008 (Code name “Center”) (x86-64) for medium-sized businesses.
- Windows Server 2008 for Itanium-based systems
- Windows Server 2008 Foundation Server.
Windows Server 2008 R2
Release date: November 12, 2008
Next, this version was launched as an improved version of Windows Server 2008 and thus, it is one of the most important developments in the computer sector. Since, Windows Server 2008 R2 consists of the first 64-bit operating system installed by Microsoft .
It should be noted that, although its development was completed on September 16 of that year, it was officially launched on November 12.
Main features:
- This is a server variant of the Microsoft Windows 7 operating system.
- Among its most notable improvements, we find the inclusion of a number of new and excellent virtualization features, including Live Migration and Cluster Shared Volumes .
- It shows reduced energy consumption , new features of Active Directory as a recycle bin for deleted AD objects, a new set of management tools and a new version of ISS (7.5) that adds a renewed FTP server.
- This version of Windows Server exhibits the increase in the number of processing cores ranging from 64 to 256 .
- With this version, improvements in performance could be evidenced and this was a truly transcendental development area. Well, Microsoft did optimal work to reduce boot time and improve the efficiency of I / O operations while improving storage device speed.
Windows Essential Business Server
Release date: September 16, 2008
It is a version that is dedicated to medium-sized companies, due to its ideal functions to simplify its administration. Taking into account that, it supports up to 300 users and / or devices. But, was discontinued in 2010 , specifically on June 30.
Main features:
- It stands out for offering a single administration and management console, from which you can control and supervise the collection of clients and managed servers .
- This service also includes Microsoft Remote Web Workplace . Which, is a remote web work site and facilitates the access of users to the facilities when their email is out, for example.
- It has a function “out-of-the -box ” that allows users to configure improved security remote access for the company’s computers, easily.
- It was a version built from the Windows Server code 2008 and two editions are planned: Standard and Premium.
Windows Small Business Server
Release date: 2011
As the name implies, this Microsoft operating system has been developed for small business management . Thanks to that, it offers specific solutions to them, such as the Remote Web Workplace and provides remarkable benefits.
Main features:
- Among its most notable advantages, we highlight that it provides integrated configuration management, improves monitoring and offers qualified remote access to access files from anywhere .
- Also known as Windows SBS, it has two versions that are: Windows SBS 2011 Essentials and Windows SBS 2011 Standard. Which, are based on the 2008 R2 version .
- Guarantees automatic backups with respect to company data and has recovery features very simple Therefore, it allows you to protect against loss of information of any business.
- It has excellent business functionality capabilities of high quality and productivity . Thanks to its functions of email, intranets, Internet access and file sharing of printers.
- It offers the necessary tools to organize all the information easily.
Windows Server 2012
Release date: September 04, 2012
Mainly, it was the version for Windows 8 servers and of course, it is the official successor of Windows Server 2008 R2. In addition, it should be noted that its main objective was to attract subscribers .
Main features:
- This version of Windows Server was cloud-oriented , since it was optimized to use Windows services in the cloud to make user tasks easier.
- Manages very flexible server installation , that is, the possibility of installing core mode and with GUI. Achieving this way, run from a GUI version to core and vice versa.
- It does not support computers with Intel Itanium processors and four editions are sold.
- Presents a Hyper-V update that adds network virtualization, cross-premise connectivity, cloud backups, storage resource pools, multi-tenancy, etc. Apart from that, in this version of Hyper-V each virtual machine can access up to 64 virtual processors, 1 terabyte of memory and even up to 64 terabytes of virtual disk space for each virtual disk.
Windows Server 2016
Release date: September 26, 2016
Also known as “Windows Server vNext” , this is one of the newest versions released by Microsoft Windows for use on servers. It is one of the most relevant, positions that were carried out alongside its counterpart Windows 10, simultaneously.
Main features:
- It has a function called “Active Directory Federation Services” that allows you to set AD FS to authenticate users stored without AD.
- Offers Windows Server Antimalware, which is installed and activated by default without the graphical user interface.
- One of its most important features, is the soft restart . Being this, able to accelerate the boot process and skip the initialization of the hardware and also restart the software by itself.
- Deliver remote desktop services with support for OpenGL 4.4 and OpenCL 1.1 This improves performance and stability.
Windows Server 2019
Release date: October 2, 2018 was its initial release
Three years later, the newest version of Windows Server was created that is built on the basis of Server 2016 . Which, stands out from the rest for providing a hybrid environment to companies, with which they have the possibility to take advantage of the benefits of public clouds and local environments.
Main features: