Microsoft Announced the Innovations in Windows Server 1803

Microsoft has published additional notes about the new features of the upcoming release of Windows Server 1803, while suggesting a reorientation. The 1803 release will be the second release in the Semi-Annual Channel SAC of Windows Server. The first 1709 release of this series had been published last fall. The exact release date of the new release has not yet been determined in Microsoft's blog post. Only a few weeks earlier, the software group announced Windows Server 2019, the next release in the Long-Term Channel (LTSC).

The focus of the new features and improvements in version 1803 is on modern application and innovation scenarios, such as containers and micro-services. This is shown in a 30% reduction of the Server Core base container image, improved application compatibility, or extension of container networks by supporting localhost or http proxy. In addition, the new version provides enhanced integration with Kubernetes, a cross-platform system for automating, scaling and managing container applications. New features include two storage plug-ins that allow the use of permanent storage for Kubernetes controlled Windows containers. In addition, the Windows platform will support isolated Hyper-V pods (set of "Guarded Hyper-V" hosts) to improve container isolation and security in Kubernetes environments. Further innovations concern the Windows subsystem for Linux, such as the integration of Curl and Tar, or the support for OpenSSH.

The strong focus on container services goes hand in hand with the future direction of the Windows Server version in the bi-annual channel, which could potentially lead to the discontinuation of further infrastructure services. In the blog post, Microsoft itself describes that the full range of HCI and Storage Spaces Direct scenarios will be part of Windows Server's Long-Time Channel (LTSC) rather than the Semi-Annual Channel (SAC). For the software company, the role as Hyper-V host is probably at a tipping point. Microsoft strongly recommends Windows Server 2016 for the development of hyper-converged infrastructures.

Source: Microsoft