Top Reasons to Invest in Microsoft Windows Server From Trusted Software Vendors

Microsoft is best known for its Windows computer operating system, and they produce a special flavor of that system for servers called Windows Server. This system allows business applications to function on powerful computers. This version of the OS has a long life cycle, with mainstream support lasting five years and extended support adding on another five. It also has scalability and is integrated into Cloud-based subscription services.

Robust Security

A key benefit of Microsoft Windows Server 2019 is its built-in security features that can be strengthened with additional tools and solutions. For example, the principle of least privilege (PoLP) reduces an attacker’s ability to wield power. This means an attacker’s code will only execute within a user context – it will not have access to secondary administrative credentials.

As a result, PoLP offers substantial protection against many types of attacks. Microsoft continually updates its security features through servicing. However, some vulnerabilities have been identified that can undermine this defense-in-depth architecture.

For example, if a user has local admin rights, attackers can gain access by capturing cached credentials in a method known as Pass-the-Hash or Pass-the-Ticket. By removing local administrator rights, you can mitigate these types of attacks and significantly reduce your attack surface.

Streamlined Management and Administration

Efficient management and administration of IT resources are crucial for maintaining a well-organized and productive business environment. Microsoft Windows Server simplifies the management of servers, virtual machines, and storage, streamlining administrative tasks and reducing operational complexities. With intuitive management tools and centralized administration features, businesses can optimize their IT operations and ensure seamless organizational workflow management.

Availability

Microsoft is famous for its Windows computer operating system, but the company also produces a different version of its software for servers. This server-oriented operating system is called Windows Server and has undergone several rewrites over the years to improve features and functionality.

One of the advantages of the Windows Server systems platform is that it can be upgraded without requiring any changes to applications running on top of it. This contrasts with open-source software, which requires application vendors to invest in testing and validation of patches.

Maintaining high availability is critical to any business with large data. The Windows Server platforms allow continuous operation by providing various monitoring tools to ensure the server remains operational. This is only sometimes possible with other types of servers, which must rely on hardware elements that can fail at any time.

Scalability

Scalability is the ability of a system to adapt to changing workloads and user demands. To scale up, a system may add hardware or other resources, while to scale down, it might remove them. This enables a business to respond quickly to changes and remain agile and responsive in the face of changing customer demands.

A business can also leverage a variety of cloud hosting providers to run Windows Server in their infrastructure. Microsoft offers the product on a subscription basis as part of their Azure platform. Other providers offer it in their service plans as well.

Since the operating system is intended for business use, it is more expensive than the standard version of Windows that consumers download or buy in stores. It also has a shorter life cycle than the standard version of Windows, with mainstream support lasting only five years and extended support for another five years.

Flexibility

Microsoft’s Windows computer operating system has a special version designed for servers. This version, known as Windows Server, includes various features that enable businesses to host and manage applications and networks.

The life cycle for the most recent version of Windows Server is ten years, with mainstream support lasting five years and extended support adding another two. Additionally, Windows Server supports GUI desktop experiences with releases from the Long-term Servicing Channel and GUI-less setups with Server Core and Nano Server.

Microsoft also added a new licensing feature in October 2022 that allows customers to deploy licenses under Software Assurance for their on-premises data centers to an Authorized Outsourcer’s shared hardware, subject to the same terms and conditions that apply for using such licenses on-premises.

Integration

Microsoft’s Windows Server OS can help businesses set up hybrid network environments with on-premises and Cloud resources. This unique hybrid datacenter platform also helps to speed up application development and improve performance with unified hardware management.

Another benefit of using Windows Server is its native support for business applications. This is an essential feature for enterprises, as it can reduce maintenance costs by eliminating the need to test and validate custom patches.

In addition, Microsoft has pushed security even further in the latest system version. This has included enhancing memory and task management. It has also introduced storage tiering and improved integration with Linux containers, making it easier for businesses to migrate applications into the cloud. It also includes a command line interface called “Server Core,” which appeals to systems administrators more comfortable with a command line environment. These features can be a major advantage for businesses with limited IT expertise.