Windows Server 2016 DataCenter supports you in building a stable network infrastructure and offers many exclusive features that are only included in this edition. These include Shielded Virtual Machines, Software Defined Networking (SDN) features, Storage Spaces Direct and Storage Replica. Companies that increasingly rely on virtualization will find Microsoft Windows Server 2016 DataCenter to be the right choice. Among the most important innovations in Hyper?V are the advances in failover clustering, which increase resilience to temporary storage and network outages. 

New features in Windows Server 2016 DataCenter

• Cloud technologies and Windows containers provide increased speed and flexibility
• Failover clustering to increase resilience to temporary storage or network outages
• Secure management of the server system through new server roles and minimal installation in Nano Server without a graphical user interface for increased performance and reduced maintenance requirements
• Storage Replica provides preventive protection against failures
• Storage Spaces Direct enables the construction of scalable, highly available storage systems using local storage
• Shielded Virtual Machines protect your data within VMs from unauthorized access
• Software Defined Networking (SDN) features for centralized management and configuration of physical and virtual network devices, such as routers, switches or gateways

Enhanced security with Windows Server 2016 DataCenter

Microsoft Windows Server 2016 DataCenter supports you with a hardware-anchored "zero trust" security approach to protect against current threats. Resources in shared environments are protected by shielded virtual machines, which enable isolation between the underlying host and virtual machines. The "Host Guardian Service", as a new Windows Server role, enables the identification of trusted hosts. In addition, "Just in Time" and "Just Enough" administration allow rules to be set to limit administrator access. Windows Server 2016 DataCenter thus delivers added value in terms of security.

New licensing model introduced with Windows Server 2016

In previous versions, both the Standard and the Datacenter licenses applied to every two physical CPUs. With the new licensing model there was a change from per?CPU to per?core licensing. It is assumed that a server has at least 8 cores per processor and at least two processors in total, i.e. a total of 16 cores. 16 cores per server are then the minimum; at least 8 cores per CPU must be licensed. Better?equipped servers must be upgraded with additional licenses. The complementary add?ons are available in increments of 2, 16 and 24 cores. In addition, the purchase of the corresponding User or Device CALs is necessary, which you can also obtain from us at a favorable price.