We had the chance to test the prerelease version of Windows Server 2012. Some were put off by the interface formerly known as Metro. But focusing mode and the Server Core server interface minimum, the user interface should not play a role in the decision of the majority of those considering the upgrade.What is more important are the major changes and new capabilities that allow Windows Server 2012 to better manage the "workloads" and the needs of your network. Here are ten reasons to seriously consider upgrading to Windows Server 2012.
1. Freedom in the choice of the interface
A Server Core installation provides advantages in terms of safety and performance. But in the past, you had to decide for one side: if you install Server Core, you were immersed "in the dark", with only the command line interface. Windows Server 2012 changed all that. Now you have a choice.
Microsoft has indeed realized that the command line is great for certain tasks, but the GUI is better for others. In Windows Cerver 2012, the GUI becomes a "feature" that you can turn to your liking. To do this, simply use the Delete roles or functionality of the Server Manager.
2. Server Manager
Speaking Server Manager (Figure A), even many of those who do not like the new interface overall mosaic admit that the implementation of this presentation in the new Server Manager is remarkable.
Among the most significant features of the new Server Manager capabilities include multi-server, which facilitate the deployment of roles and features remotely on physical and virtual servers. It is easy to create a server group, ie a group of servers that can be managed together. Improvements in remote administration enable you to service servers without having to establish an RDP connection.
3. SMB 3.0
SMB (Server Message Block) has been significantly improved in Windows Server 2012 and Windows 8. The new version of SMB supports new features of file server, such as SMB transparent failover, scalability SMB, multi SMB, SMB Direct SMB encryption, VSS for SMB file sharing, the lease directory SMB and SMB PowerShell. This is what is called for money ...
It works perfectly with Hyper-V, so that the VHD files and configuration files of virtual machines can be hosted on SMB 3.0. It is also possible to store a SQL database on an SMB share, with better performance. For more details on the new SMB 3.0, read this post.
4. Dynamic access control (DAC)
While some may argue that Microsoft has neglected security in recent years, it would be more accurate to say he has continued to focus on security products for distinct focus on the integration of security into every part of the operating system.
The dynamic access control is an example: it helps professionals create more centralized security models for access to network resources by tagging sensitive data both manually and automatically, depending on factors such as the file's contents or its creator. Access controls based on the statements can then be applied.
5. Storage space
Storage is a hot topic in the world and complex computer today. Despite the fact that we will all end one day or the other by any store in the public cloud, this day is still far away (and for many companies concerned about the security and reliability, it may never happen ).
There are many ways to store data on your network in a way that provides better utilization of storage resources, centralized management and scalability, as well as security and reliability. This is particularly the case of SAN and NAS. But these solutions can be expensive and difficult to implement.
The storage spaces are a new feature of Windows Server 2012 that allows you to use cheap disk to create a storage area, which can then be divided into spaces that are used as physical disks. They can include hot spares and use redundancy methods such as parity or mirrored on two or three players. You can add new records at any time, and space may be larger than the physical capacity of the area. When you add new disks, space automatically uses this extra capacity. To learn more about storage space, read this post appeared on MSDN.
6. Hyper-V Replica
Virtualization is inseparable from the world of today servers, Hyper-V is Microsoft's answer to VMware. Although it took immediately the head, the platform virtualization Microsoft has gone to great lengths to catch up. At each iteration, the Windows hypervisor improves a little more, and Hyper-V in Windows Server 2012 introduces a number of new features, the most interesting being replicas Hyper-V.
This is a replication mechanism that will be a boon for disaster recovery in SMEs are not always able to deploy solutions replication complex and costly. It logs changes to disk in a virtual machine and uses compression to save bandwidth, making replication from a primary server to a replica server. You can store multiple snapshots (snapshots) of a virtual machine on the replica server, then select the one you want to use.
This also works well with autonomous clusters with hosts, in any combination: self-autonomous cluster to cluster, cluster or standalone cluster independently. For more information on Hyper-V Replica, read this TechNet article.
7. Improvements VDI
The Windows Terminal Services have come a long way since they first appeared in Windows NT Terminal Server Edition. Renamed Remote Desktop Services, they are no longer content to establish an RDP connection to the desktop of a remote computer but have largely enriched. Microsoft offered a VDI (Virtual Desktop Infrastructure) centralized in Windows Server 2008 R2, but it was still a bit messy. Significant improvements were made in Windows Server 2012.
Longer need a dedicated graphics card on the server to use RemoteFX, which significantly improves the graphic quality of RDP. Instead, you can use virtualized graphics processor on standard server hardware. Access USB over RDP is much better, and the functionality of a balanced load distribution can control how the processor, memory, disk space and bandwidth is allocated between users to avoid problems of monopolization of bandwidth. To learn more about the improvements and VDI RDP in Windows Server 2012, read this article.
8. DirectAccess more intuitive
DirectAccess was supposed to be the "alternative to VPN" from Microsoft, a means of establishing a secure connection between the client and the corporate network without impacting performance and user experience with a more transparent than traditional VPN. Not only do users do not have to deal with running the VPN, but administrators also benefit from greater control over the machines, with the ability to manage even before users connect to it. To apply a group policy, you use the same tools to manage computers physically present on the corporate network.
Why everyone has he not used DirectAccess in Windows Server 2008 R2 instead of VPN? A major obstacle was the dependence IPv6. In addition, virtualization was impossible. These obstacles are a thing of the past. In Windows Server 2012, DirectAccess works with IPv4 without going through conversion technologies, and the DirectAccess server running at the network edge can now be a Hyper-V virtual machine. Windows Server 2012 version of DirectAccess is also easier to configure, thanks to new assistant.
9. REFS
Despite the many advantages compared to the first NTFS file systems FAT, it is in place since 1993, and Windows aficionados expecting a new file system for a long time. In 2004, we were looking forward WinFS, but we were disappointed in Vista does not include. Similarly, speculations ran quickly to the introduction of a new file system with Windows 7, but that was not the case.
Windows Server 2012 brings the new file system as expected: refs or resilient file system. It supports many of the features of NTFS, but leaves a few others aside, the most notable perhaps being the compression of files, EFS and disk quotas.
In exchange, we offer Refs data verification and auto-correction, and is designed to work with the storage space to create logical storage areas collapsible / expandable. The new file system supports a maximum scalability, supporting up to 16 exabytes in practice. (This is the maximum theoretical specifications NTFS, but in reality, it is limited to 16 terabytes). Refs accepts a theoretical limit of 256 zétaoctets (over 270 billion terabytes), which allows great scalability .
10. Simplified license management
Anyone who has worked with server licenses objected that the very term "simplified license management" is an oxymoron. However, Microsoft has listened to customers who are confused and frustrated by the complexity when they find the correct edition and understand what it really will cost. Windows Server 2012 is available in four editions only: Datacenter, Standard, and Essentials Foundation.
The first two are offered with a per processor license plus a CAL, and the other two (for small businesses) with a license server and limits on the number of user accounts (15 for Foundation and 25 edition edition Essentials). For details of license for each edition, visit Microsoft's website.
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