Microsoft Releases Windows Server 2019 Preview, Full Release Expected in 2H 2018

Microsoft has announced the launch of Windows Server 2019 Preview. The preview is available now through the Insiders program, while the full Server 2019 operating system will be available in the second half of 2018 according to Erin Chapple, director of program management, Windows Server.

Chapple gives an idea of ​​what will be new in Server 2019 by noting that it is built on the “strong foundation” of Windows Server 2016. Chapple also points out that Windows Server 2016 was the fastest version of Windows Server ever adopted.

Chapple wrote, “We also spent a lot of time with clients to understand future challenges and where the industry is headed. Four themes were consistent: hybrid, security, application platform and hyperconverged infrastructure. We are bringing many innovations on these four themes in Windows Server 2019.”

Server 2019 will have hybrid cloud scenarios allowing for the combination of on-premises and cloud environments working together. The hybrid approach used by Microsoft also enables applications running on-premises to take advantage of cloud innovations such as AI and IoT. Server 2019 will also integrate Project Honolulu technology.

Chapple wrote, “Project Honolulu is a flexible, lightweight, locally deployed browser-based platform and solution for management scenarios. One of our goals with Project Honolulu is to make it simpler and easier to connect existing Windows Server deployments to Azure services. With Windows Server 2019 and Project Honolulu, customers will be able to easily integrate Azure services such as Azure Backup, Azure File Sync, Disaster Recovery, and more, so they can take advantage of these Azure services without disrupting their applications and their infrastructure. »

Security is a top priority in Server 2019 and Microsoft touts a three-pronged approach to security: Protect, Detect, and Respond. Protection includes Shielded VMs that support Linux VMs. VMConnect has been extended to improve troubleshooting of shielded virtual machines for Windows Server and Linux. Microsoft is also adding encrypted networks allowing administrators to encrypt network segments. For detection and response, Server 2019 integrates Windows Defender Advanced Threat Protection to provide preemptive protection, detect attacks and zero-day exploits.

Microsoft has also focused on the application platform for Server 2019. One such aspect is the containers introduced in Server 2016. Microsoft says it aims to reduce the base Server Core container image to one-third of its current size of 5 GB in Server 2019. Significant Kubernetes enhancements are coming to Server 2019, including enhancements to compute, storage, and networking components.

A major change is the Windows on Linux subsystem to allow customers to run Linux containers side-by-side with Windows containers on a Windows server. “In Windows Server 2019, we continue this journey to improve WSL, helping Linux users bring their scripts to Windows while using industry standards like OpenSSH, Curl & Tar.”

Another big focus is hyperconverged infrastructure or HCI. “Customers looking for HCI solutions can use Windows Server 2016 and the Windows Server Software Defined program today. We have partnered with industry leader hardware vendors to provide an affordable and extremely robust HCI solution with valid pattern. In Windows Server 2019, we’re building on that platform by adding scalability, performance, and reliability. We are also adding the ability to manage HCI deployments in Project Honolulu, to simplify management and day-to-day activities on HCI environments,” Chapple wrote.