Windows Server 2022 represents a milestone in server operating systems, offering a cutting-edge platform designed to meet the ever-evolving needs of modern businesses. With an unwavering commitment to security, scalability, and hybrid cloud integration, this iteration introduces Secured-Core Server technology, fortifying the system against advanced threats and firmware vulnerabilities. Boasting improvements in containerization, virtualization, and storage management, Windows Server 2022 provides a robust foundation for organizations embracing digital transformation. The integration of Azure services, enhanced management tools like Windows Admin Center, and support for the latest application frameworks underline its status as a comprehensive solution, empowering enterprises to efficiently manage diverse workloads across on-premises, cloud, and edge environments. At its core, Windows Server 2022 prioritizes performance, responding to the demands of modern hardware configurations with optimizations that ensure heightened responsiveness and reliability. With features such as Storage Migration Service, Active Directory updates, and advancements in GPU virtualization, Windows Server 2022 stands as a versatile and forward-looking server operating system, empowering businesses to navigate the complexities of today's IT landscape with confidence and efficiency.

1. Now that you are familiar with the history of Windows servers, let's discuss the features and
needs of Windows Server 2022.
The most recent iteration of Microsoft's server operating system, which has been enhanced over
several years, is Windows Server 2022. These improvements have strengthened cloud
capabilities and increased performance in addition to strengthening security.
This server, which is Microsoft's most dependable and secure server, is compatible with
Azure. Cyberattacks have climbed by 50% per week since the release of this new version of
Windows, indicating that Windows 10 will solve these growing security concerns and
cyberattacks.
Owing to the sophisticated security features of Windows Server 2022, enterprises can manage
their expanding workloads and fully benefit from cloud integration and the best degree of
security. To enhance our comprehension of the features and benefits that Windows Server 2022
presents, let's take a look at earlier iterations of the product.
Hardware Windows Server 2022 Requirements
Windows Server 2022 Hardware Requirements: Unleashing Potential with the
Right Foundation

2. Windows Server 2022 unlocks a world of advanced features and performance, but
building a solid foundation is crucial. Let's dive into the hardware requirements
necessary to unleash its full potential and keep your server humming smoothly.
Minimum Requirements:
● Processor: 64-bit processor with 1.4 GHz clock speed (recommended: 2 GHz or
higher)
● RAM: 512 MB (Server Core installation) or 2 GB (Desktop Experience
installation) (recommended: 8 GB or higher)
● Storage: 32 GB of available disk space (recommended: SSD for optimal
performance)
● Network adapter: Gigabit Ethernet with support for TCP/IP (recommended: dual
NICs for enhanced network resilience)
● Other: UEFI 2.3.1c-based system and firmware that supports secure boot,
Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0 (recommended)
Windows Server 2022 Versions
Core Editions:

3. ● Standard Edition:
○ Ideal for physical or minimally virtualized environments.
○ Supports up to 2 virtual machines with Hyper-V isolation.
○ Offers essential server features like file sharing, printing, and Active
Directory.
● Datacenter Edition:
○ Built for highly virtualized datacenters and cloud environments.
○ Provides unlimited virtual machine capabilities with Hyper-V.
○ Includes advanced features like Storage Spaces Direct and
Software-Defined Networking.
Specialized Editions:
● Azure Edition:
○ Designed specifically for Azure virtual machines.
○ Optimized for cloud-based workloads and integration with Azure services.
● Essentials Edition:
○ Tailored for small businesses with up to 25 users and 50 devices.
○ Simpler licensing model and doesn't require CALs (Client Access
Licenses).
Specific server roles, such web and DNS servers, are installed on the server during the
server version installation. Remote desktop sessions are installed during the desktop
version installation process without requiring the installation of any server services on
the server.
Windows Server provides various benefits while managing an intricate system. It can
integrate with cloud services and other Microsoft products more successfully and offers
better support. Each has a minimal set of system requirements, such as a graphics
processor running Windows Vista or later and a 64-bit processor operating at 1.4GHz.

4. It comes with four main editions:
1. Windows Server 2022 Standard
2. Windows Server 2022 Data Center
3. Windows Server 2022 Data Center Azure Edition
4. Windows Server 2022 essential
The distinctions between these four versions will be discussed soon. The desktop and
server core versions, however, can be installed on any version. Installing the desktop
version takes place in between other components for remote desktop sessions and
non-server services.
Windows Server 2022 Standard :

5. For the time being, Windows Server 2022 Standard Edition is the best available version.
A version like this can help firms, people, or groups that own real machinery. It is also
applicable in an environment with little to no virtualization. The standard version of
Hyper-V has a licensing scheme that restricts the concurrent use of one license to two
virtual machines and one Hyper-V host.
For $1,680, the Standard Edition with 16 CPU cores is offered. Additional licenses
can be necessary for systems that have greater hardware requirements. A Client
Access License (CAL) is required for a client to access a server running the standard
edition.
In summary:
This is Windows 2022's base version. One Hyper-V host and two virtual machines can
be used with a single license.With just one partnership, you will have the choice of
replica storage. The Standard version will not have software-defined networking, hot
patching, or storage features.
Windows Server 2022 Data Center
Applying the Data Center edition to cloud settings or highly virtualized data centers can yield the
most benefits. This is more popular than the Standard edition because it differs from the
Standard version in a few minor areas.An approved virtual machine or container for the
Standard Edition is not the same as one licensed for the Data Center Edition. The Data Center
Edition offers the highest degree of freedom as a result.
In addition, the Data Center edition supports up to 16 cores and costs $6,155. Every extra core
requires an additional license. A Customer Access License (CAL) is necessary for any client
accessing the Data Center edition.

6. As a summary: The protected virtual machine feature includes this feature. This is a
safety precaution to safeguard the virtual machine's firmware and startup files.
You may make use of storage replication and software-defined storage using Storage
Spaces Direct.
supports a cluster storage capacity of up to 1 petabyte and up to 16 servers.
Windows Server 2022 Data Center Azure Edition :
It can be installed as virtual machines on Azure or as clusters on Azure Stack. Additionally, the
edition cannot be installed on hypervisor virtual machines but on bare hardware. Even so, it has
a ton of features that neither the Standard nor Data Center editions provide.
By using Azure Edition's Hot Patch capability, updates can be installed without requiring a
server restart. Shared files can be accessible over the network using QUIC by using the Server
Message Block, which removes the requirement to log in via a VPN in order to process them.
Windows Server 2022 Essential Edition
With up to 50 devices and 25 employees, small enterprises or startups would profit from
Microsoft's Essential Edition. There is no license needed to use the $501 edition of Windows
Server 2022 Essentials. Virtual machines cannot be run on it, however it does support one
socket and ten cores.
When considering whether to upgrade, have a look at some of its features.
This is intended for small businesses that can accommodate up to 25 users and 50 devices.
This version does not contain the following features: dashboard, client backup, and access.
Processors with up to 10 cores can be supported by it.
Windows Server 2022 features
Apart from the capabilities included with Windows Server 2022, there are a few more
components that are absent from the previous iteration of Windows Server 2019. Moreover, it
provides malware protection with the Windows Defender program.
You can decide if it's worth upgrading by looking at its functionality. We've included some of the
most important features below.
1. Improved Security
According to other organizations, Microsoft has the best and most comprehensive security
procedures in place. Microsoft has improved security in Windows Server version 2022 in three
important ways: hardware trust, firmware protection, and virtual environment security.

7. The security improvements include supporting AES-256 for Server Message Block SMB,
ensuring encrypted DNS over HTTPS with DNS-over-HTTPS, and supporting HTTPS and TLS
1.3 for Azure Arc and Azure Automate.
With Secured-Core Server, not only are the hardware firmware and operating systems
protected, but the data on the machines are also safeguarded. This objective is made possible
by two elements: Windows Defender System Guard and Trusted Platform Module 2.0.
Because of With the help of these improvements and protocols, the Windows 2022 server can
handle sensitive data and important apps without the need for outside data sources.
Today's sophisticated attacks on server cores require protection of both the drivers and the
hardware firmware in order to avoid these kinds of disasters.
2. Improvements in Azure Capabilities
Azure Cloud Platform Message Blocks replace the old Transport Control Protocol with the Quick
UDP Internet Connection (QUIC) protocol to facilitate direct connections.With this strategy, you
can access your Azure file servers from any location, even if you don't have a VPN configured.
Additionally, you can run Windows Server 2022 on-premises and take advantage of cloud
services by updating to these upgrades for Windows Server 2022. On file servers, extensions
for SMB compression will be available for you to use.
3. Application Platform Enhancements
As a result, Microsoft improved Windows Server 2022 in a number of ways to enable dynamic
and flexible management of container apps. Large, mission-critical programs like SQL Server,
which need at least 48 terabytes of memory, are supported.
It loads 30% quicker than the previous iteration of Server 2022 because its container size is
lower.
4. Storage Enhancements
The greatest gains in storage capacity are offered by this. In order to solve the challenges
posed by the increasing volume of data, data engineers have totally revamped servers.
See three examples of storage enhancement in Windows Server 2022:
Advanced caching: This configuration has the advantage of allowing important data to
be kept on faster storage volumes. On the other hand, slower storage volumes can hold
less important data, which will enable faster reading and writing activities.
Faster, Manageable Storage: Hard drive repairs can be completed more quickly by
restarting a server or by addressing a hardware issue.

8. ReFS file snapshots: Regardless of the quantity of the data, metadata operations are
quick enough to enable consistent ReFS snapshot taking.
5. Effortless Management of cloud
Several significant features were introduced to Windows 2022's Azure edition, including
cloud administration and automation in addition to best practices for security:
Virtual machine administration for Windows Server and Linux can be greatly
streamlined and automated to save expenses and increase productivity.
One useful feature is the ability to apply security fixes without having to restart the
server.
The instantaneous update of templates and the administration and accessibility of
resources on demand.
The tracking, archiving, and monitoring of Azure resources can all be automated.
Retain your on-premises IP address while migrating from on-premises to Azure.

9. 6. Networking improvements
Network communication is accomplished through the use of TCP Transmission Control
Protocol and UDP User Datagram Protocol. Microsoft has made major improvements to
these protocols' security in Windows 2022.
How can I get Windows Server 2022?
If a user has an active license agreement with Microsoft, they can access both the
Microsoft Volume license Center and the Azure Marketplace.
Windows Evaluation Center offers installers in ISO and VHD formats in addition to
evaluation versions. Windows Server 2022 license will be determined by the quantity of
cores that are available, and CALs will be needed in order for devices and users to
access your servers through the platform.
Microsoft's licenses for Windows Server 2022 are divided into two and sixteen core
packs, just like Windows Server 2019. While each server has a minimum of 16 cores,
each pack has a minimum of eight CPU cores.