Microsoft announced Windows Server 2019 being available in preview mode for participants in the Windows Insider program. General availability will be second half of 2018 (probably October). Microsoft also announced that the licensing principles for Windows Server will not be changed, leaving us with a per-core licensing model for the server and Client Access Licenses (CALs) for server access. Good to know, there is a likely price increase for the CALs when formal available.
Four pillars
Windows Server 2019 has been built on the strong bits-and-bytes of the 2016 edition, but Microsoft has added four focused pillars after consulting with customers and Microsoft partners:
• Hybrid Cloud Scenario’s
• Security (think cybersecurity risks)
• Application Platform, since Apps usage is increasing rapidly
• Hyper-converged Infrastructure
Azure
Though Microsoft is pushing Windows Server 2019 as the best platform for software defined services within the Hyper-converged Infrastructure, they still have a huge bet on Azure. The suspected price increase for Sever software access (the CALs) is pointing in that direction. Good to know, customers who use Azure as their platform for running virtual machines do not need access licenses and that can mean another cost reduction for customers.
System Center
As we know it today, the System Center software is aligned with Windows Server. Both in version, edition, licensing model as in launch dates. So expect System Center 2019 to be available around the same time as general availability of Windows Server 2019, somewhere second half of this year.
Need more information on Windows Server 2019? Please contact one of our consultants to help you.