Kurt Shintaku's Blog

Following on the release of the Windows 8 client, Microsoft Corp. on Thursday released the Windows Server “8” beta.

The new features in Windows Server “8” include significant improvements in virtualization for multi-tenant and self-service configurations, increased stability and performance, and a common identity and management framework for cross-premises connectivity, all driving toward a cloud-optimized server platform. Significant improvements in storage capabilities, management, and core infrastructure services make Windows Server “8” a compelling platform for both private and public cloud implementations.

Some key feature areas to consider in the Windows Server “8” beta include:

• Server virtualization. Hyper-V has been enhanced and expanded to provide a powerful multitenant cloud computing platform. Key features include network virtualization to enable creation of virtual networks for multiple business units or customers on a shared physical network infrastructure, portability of network assignments for VMs, and improved administrative and self-service management.
• Networking. Windows Server “8” simplifies network complexity and eases management in three key areas: connecting users, management, and cloud connectivity. User connectivity improvements include easy deployment of DirectAccess and VPN integration, and improved and streamlined BranchCache deployment for optimizing bandwidth over WAN connections. Some of the new management features include improved NIC teaming, improved DHCP service failover, support for DNSSEC, a new IP Address Management (IPAM) feature for managing IP addresses across the enterprise, and more. A range of new features provide better, more secure, and more reliable mechanisms for connecting private and public clouds.
• Remote Access. Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) offers flexibility for simplified and cost-effective deployment of remote desktops, with simplified installation and configuration, centralized management, and other improvements, supporting a variety of mixed deployment scenarios.
• Identity and Security. Windows Server “8” introduces significant improvements to Active Directory and a new feature called Dynamic Access Control that gives you the capability to apply tags to classify information on file servers based on its content, with rich auditing and forensic analysis capabilities. Dynamic Access Control integrates with Active Directory Rights Management Services to secure the data wherever it resides (or moves).
• Storage and Availability. A host of new improvements in Windows Server “8” reduce storage complexity and cost and improve availability. Just some of the new features include the capability to build SAN-like storage pools from inexpensive, commodity storage; data de-duplication functionality; a new Resilient File System (ReFS) with automated corruption scanning and repair; feature-rich iSCSI-based block storage; improved and expanded management tools; and a variety of high-availability features.
• Server Management. Three key areas in which Windows Server "8" improves multi-server management are the Server Manager tool, Windows PowerShell 3.0, and IP Address Management (IPAM). These features both extend and simplify administrative functions across the platform.
• Web and Application Platform. Key improvements in Windows Server “8” as a Web and application platform include new features for integrating on-premise and cloud services; a common development model between on-premise and Windows Azure; broad development language support; new features targeted at building, provisioning, and managing multitenant environments; increased scalability through centralized SSL certificate support, IIS configuration optimization, and NUMA-aware scalability; and support for open standards including HTML 5 and WebSockets.

For more information on the new Windows Server “8” beta and its capabilities, or to download the beta, visit http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/server-cloud/windows-server/v8-default.aspx.