Microsoft Windows server OS is an enterprise segment Windows server operating system designed for sharing services across the user base in a server networked group and offers an extensive range of administrative actions.
System administrators of servers can have better controls on the data storage, applications, and corporate networks.
The development of the Windows server is initiated in the early 1980s and over the period shaped the Windows servers into a robust solution offering high speeds, reliable security, and resilient features essential for a server-scale operating system, useful for the business environment operating systems.
Before Windows NT (the earlier version of Windows servers), businesses had to rely on the Unix operating system for managing their information systems.
The downside of Unix operating systems was about RISC-based hardware is essential for handling the printing and run-file services.
However, in the case of Windows servers, the scope was to run the Windows server even on X86 machines.
The new age Windows servers in addition to their symmetric multiprocessing abilities have the scope for managing applications to execute faster on machines having a distinct set of processors.
In modern Windows servers, the scope of deployment over the internal data center or a cloud platform like Microsoft Azure is as possible.
Coming of age, the Windows servers are significant to its sustainable solutions in the form of Active Directory, automating the user data management, distributed resources, security, and interoperability with other directories and server managers.
The Server Manager as a system application with Windows servers is supportive to administer server roles and make configuration changes to the virtual or the local machines as essential.
The image above refers to how distinct kinds of Windows server operating systems were released over time by Microsoft, wherein in each version there is some systematic upgrade of the existing features or new age features added to the system, to match with the emerging technologies and user requirements.
The new service offerings from Microsoft as Windows server are in their different editions,
- One of the higher and enterprise versions is the Datacenter version, wherein it is a suitable kind of Windows server for data centers and cloud service providers
- The other one is a standard range Windows server offering solutions for small-scale physical or the ones that are set for minimally virtualized environments.
- The lite version as Windows server essential version is suitable for small businesses having the in-house configuration of up to 50 devices controls or so.
Selecting the right kind of Windows server catering to the requirement is important to ensure the appropriate kind of Windows server license is procured and to ensure optimal utilization of resources.
The other major aspect to understand about the Windows servers is the critical differences between the Windows servers and the routine windows systems.
The scope of correspondence between Windows and Windows servers is high and the critical aspect is how they share the same kind of code base.
In the usage of Windows, the resemblance over the desktop is the same, and the functionalities of the Windows operating system are possible in the Windows servers too.
However, irrespective of the version used as Windows or Windows servers, it is important that there is the right kind of antivirus used for protection.
Difference between Windows 10 and Windows Server
Some of the key differences in the case of Windows and Windows servers are
1. More Powerful
The enterprise-level product supports more significant hardware for managing a larger network. While the Windows 10 Pro can support the RAM capacity of 2TB, Windows servers cater to 24TB of RAM installation support.
By default, structure, Windows servers can deal with more cores and processors, as it has the flexibility of 64 CPU sockets, and in comparison, Windows 10 has only two sockets.
2. GUI usage Requirement
For managing Windows 10, one needs to have GUI (graphical user interface) for navigating the operating system. Windows servers do not require any such navigation as mandatory.
The installation of a Windows server can be among two variations like Server Core or Desktop Experience.
The scope and operational ease in the server roles are much higher for the admin teams to manage the systems, using the Windows server footprint.
In the absence of a GUI too, the Windows server can be managed using the command line feature of Windows PowerShell.
Also, the add-ins like the Windows Admin Center or RSAT can be used for further processes.
3. Server-specific tools
Predominantly the Windows server design is to cater to the server requirements.
Thus, there are some tools and applications which are not found in Windows 10 and are specific to the Windows server.
Some of the applications like Windows PowerShell and command prompt are installed in Windows servers, which will help manage the servers remotely too.
Also, in the Windows server, the other feature is about its business and user-friendly structure specifically designed like Active Directory and DHCP.
A number of external applications from third-party solutions can be integrated into the Windows server for better controls and management.
Some of the end-user solutions like Cortana, Microsoft store, or Edge (some product offerings from Microsoft for Windows) are not available on the Windows server.
4. Connection Limit
Windows 10 in general offers a connection limit to the extent of 20 devices, which is resourceful only to a limited extent in a small business environment.
Windows server supports unlimited connections virtually and is suitable for businesses of all sizes.
By default, the cost of Windows 10 is more competitive than the Windows servers, but considering the operating system scope and its ability, businesses must choose the right kind of operating system.
The other significant factor is about resource availability for server admin teams is easier to find for Windows servers than that of the other Linux or Unix kind of server networks.
Thus, directly there are some additional cost savings evident with the deployment of Windows server than the alternatives.
To know more about Windows servers and have the right fit license selection of Windows servers for your business, engage with Exabytes Singapore for more information and pricing details.
Email or WhatsApp an Exabytes Professional for details on basic concepts of windows operating system.
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