Windowsservers

Windows Server is a family of server operating systems developed by Microsoft. It is designed to run data center and enterprise workloads, provide identity management, networking, storage, and application hosting, and serve as the foundation for IT services across organizations.

The Windows Server line uses two servicing channels. The Long-Term Servicing Channel (LTSC) provides a fixed feature set with extended support, while the Semi-Annual Channel (SAC) delivers newer features on a shorter lifecycle. Examples of LTSC releases include Windows Server 2008 R2, 2012 R2, 2016, 2019, and 2022. SAC releases come more frequently and have an 18-month life cycle.

Core capabilities include Active Directory Domain Services, DNS, DHCP, and File and Storage Services; server virtualization with Hyper-V; web hosting with Internet Information Services (IIS); remote access with Remote Desktop Services; and support for containers and cloud integration. Windows Server can run on premises or as part of larger virtualized and hybrid cloud environments, and it often serves as the backend for enterprise applications and services.

Administration and security: Windows Server supports a minimal Server Core install option to reduce footprint and can be managed with PowerShell, Windows Admin Center, and other tools. It includes security features such as Secured-core server, virtualization-based security, and integration with Azure for hybrid management and backup.

Windows Server is widely used in on-premises data centers, private clouds, and hybrid deployments that combine local servers with Microsoft Azure services. Licensing typically involves server licenses plus client access licenses (CALs) for users or devices accessing the server’s services.