Product overview
Windows Server 2016 is the cloud-ready operating system that supports current workloads while introducing new technologies that make it easy to transition to cloud computing when a customer is ready. It delivers powerful new layers of security along with Microsoft Azure-inspired innovation for the applications and infrastructure that power business.
Strengthen security—starting at the operating system Customers can help prevent malicious attacks and detect suspicious activity where it matters: their operating system and workloads. Rely on security features built into Windows Server 2016 to control privileged access, protect virtual machines, and harden the platform against emerging threats.
Be more efficient with a software-defined datacenter Customers can bring flexibility and control to their datacenter while lowering costs with software-defined compute, storage, and networking. The datacenter can run with an automated and resilient operating system, and customers can access many of the same cloud-efficient features found in Microsoft Azure datacenters.
Innovate faster with cloud-ready application workloads Customers can securely deploy and run their existing applications on Windows Server 2016 to transform them into new cloud-native models. Help developers to innovate and create on-premises and cloud applications using the latest technology—containers, microservices, and Nano Server. Learn more about enterprise application features.
Edition overview and comparison
The Windows Server 2016 product is streamlined and simple, making it easy for customers to choose the edition that is right for their needs. Choose from three primary editions of Windows Server, based on organization size as well as virtualization and datacenter requirements:
Datacenter edition is ideal for highly virtualized and software-defined datacenter environments.
Standard edition is ideal for customers with low density or non-virtualized environments.
Essentials edition is a cloud-connected first server, ideal for small businesses with up to 25 users and 50 devices. Essentials is a good option for customers currently using the Foundation edition, which is not available with Windows Server 2016.
Feature overview and comparison
As with prior versions, Windows Server 2016 Standard and Datacenter editions include the core functionality of Windows Server and offer different virtualization rights. New features were added to both editions of Windows Server 2016, including Host Guardian Service and Nano Server. Windows Server 2016 Datacenter edition includes additional features such as Shielded Virtual Machines, software-defined networking, Storage Spaces Direct, and Storage Replica. For more information on feature.
Server licensing overview
With the launch of Windows Server 2016 Datacenter edition and Windows Server 2016 Standard edition, Windows Server licensing transitioned from being processor-based to being core-based. For both Standard and Datacenter editions, the number of core licenses required equals the number of physical cores on the licensed server, subject to a minimum of 8 core licenses per physical processor and a minimum of 16 core licenses per server. Core licenses are sold in 2-packs and 16-packs. For complete details and information on licensing.
Determining the required number of core licenses
Server software licensing for Windows Server 2016 Standard and Datacenter editions requires core licenses. For each server, the number of core licenses required equals the number of physical cores on the licensed server, subject to a minimum of 8 core licenses per physical processor and a minimum of 16 core licenses per server. Core licenses are sold in 2-packs and 16- packs.
Minimum requirements for Standard and Datacenter editions
The table below provides examples for various server configurations, and the minimum number of core licenses required.
Standard: When all cores on the server are licensed (subject to a minimum of 8 core licenses per physical processor and a minimum of 16 core licenses per server), Standard has rights to use two OSEs or two Hyper-V containers and unlimited Windows Server containers.
Datacenter: When all cores on the server are licensed (subject to a minimum of 8 core licenses per physical processor and a minimum of 16 core licenses per server), Datacenter edition has rights to use unlimited OSEs, Hyper-V containers, and Windows Server containers.
Server access licensing overview
Server software access for Windows Server 2016 Standard and Datacenter editions requires access licenses. There are two classes of access licenses: Client Access Licenses (CALs) and External Connectors. There are two categories of access licenses: Base and Additive. There are two types of CALs: User and Device. There is one type of External Connector. For complete details on server access licensing
Server software access for Windows Server 2016 Standard and Datacenter editions requires either Client Access Licenses (CALs) or External Connectors. CALs are required for users that are either the customer’s or its affiliates’ employees, or its or its affiliates’ onsite contractors or onsite agents. CALs or, alternatively, External Connectors are required for users that are not either the customer’s or its affiliates’ employees, or its or its affiliates’ onsite contractors or onsite agents.
CALs: Each user or device that accesses licensed servers requires a Windows Server CAL (Base CAL). Each user or device that accesses advanced functionality on the licensed server requires the associated CAL (Additive CAL). Additive CALs must be licensed in addition to the corresponding Base CALs for access to advanced functionality.
External Connectors: External access to licensed servers requires CALs (Base CALs) for each accessing user or device or, alternatively, a Windows Server External Connector (Base EC) for each server that is accessed. External access to advanced functionality on licensed servers requires the associated CAL (Additive CAL) for each accessing user or device or, alternatively, the associated External Connector (Additive EC) for each server accessed. Additive External Connector Licenses must be assigned in addition to the corresponding Base access license(s) for access to advanced functionality on the licensed server.
Base and Additive licenses: Each Base access license provides access to server functionality and instances of the server software on the licensed servers. Each Additive access license provides access to advanced server functionality of the server software on the licensed servers. Additive CALs (or ECs) must be licensed in addition to the corresponding Base CALs (or ECs).
Access provided: Windows Server 2016 CALs and External Connectors permit access to the corresponding version of the Windows Server 2016 server software and prior versions of Windows Server 2016 server software. To learn more about CALs
Each user CAL permits one user, using any device, to access instances of the server software on their licensed servers. Each device CAL permits one device, used by any user, to access instances of the server software on their licensed servers. External Connectors permit access to instances of the server software on the licensed servers. Customers may use a combination of User and Device CALs, and External Connector licenses as required.
FAQs
1. How are Windows Server 2016 Standard and Datacenter editions licensed?
With the launch of Windows Server 2016 Datacenter edition and Windows Server 2016 Standard edition, Windows Server licensing transitioned from being processor-based to being core-based. For both Standard and Datacenter editions, the minimum number of core licenses required equals the number of physical cores on the licensed server, subject to a minimum of 8 core licenses per physical processor and a minimum of 16 core licenses per server. Core licenses are sold in 2-packs as well as optional 16-packs (for convenience). Eight 2-packs and one 16-pack are priced the same and provide equivalent use rights. However, point counts may vary, so MPSA and Open Volume customers should assess which pack sizes work best for them.
2. Do the minimum licensing requirements apply to all servers?
Yes. Regardless of the number of physical processors or physical cores on a server, the number of core licenses required equals the number of physical cores on the licensed server, subject to a minimum of 8 core licenses per physical processor and a minimum of 16 core licenses per server.
3. Do I have to license all cores on the server, even if they are disabled?
Yes. All physical cores on all physical processors on a server must be sufficiently licensed, even if they have been disabled.
4. Can I split my Windows Server 2016 core licenses across multiple servers?
Yes. Core licenses are sold in 2-packs, as well as optional 16-packs (for convenience), and each individual license may be assigned to a separate physical server.
5. Can I assign a Windows Server 2016 license to a virtual machine?
No. Licenses are assigned to the physical server. After assigning the required number of core licenses to a physical server, the customer has the rights to use the operating system environments (OSEs) (for example, virtual machines), Hyper-V containers, and Windows Server containers on that licensed server.
6. Can I mix Windows Server 2016 Datacenter and Standard licenses on the same server?
No. All physical cores on a given server must be licensed with the same version and edition. The customer can run different editions or older versions of Windows Server software as guests within virtual OSEs, but they are not allowed to assign licenses of different versions or editions to the same physical server to license the physical cores on the server.
7. Are CALs required for access to Windows Server 2016 Standard and Datacenter editions?
Yes, server software access for Windows Server 2016 Standard and Datacenter editions requires access licenses. Server software access for Windows Server 2016 Standard and Datacenter editions requires either Client Access Licenses (CALs) or External Connectors (ECs). Each user or device that accesses the licensed servers requires a Windows Server CAL. External access to the licensed server requires a CAL for each user or device or, alternatively, a Windows Server EC. Customers may use a combination of user and device CALs and External Connector licenses as required.
8. Which Access Licenses do I use to access Windows Server 2016?
Windows Server 2016 Client Access Licenses (CALs) and 2016 External Connectors permit access to the Windows Server 2016 server software and prior versions of Windows Server software. Each user or device that accesses the licensed servers requires a Windows Server CAL. External access to the licensed server requires CALs for each accessing user or device or, alternatively, a Windows Server External Connector. Customers may use a combination of user and device CALs and External Connector licenses as required.
CALs: Each user or device that accesses licensed servers requires a Windows Server CAL (Base CAL). Each user or device that accesses advanced functionality on the licensed server requires the associated CAL (Additive CAL). Additive CALs must be licensed in addition to the corresponding Base CALs for access to advanced functionality. Microsoft Volume Licensing reference guide for Windows Server 2016 May 2017 22
External Connectors: External access to licensed servers requires CALs (Base CALs) for each accessing user or device or, alternatively, a Windows Server External Connector (Base EC) for each server that is accessed. External access to advanced functionality on licensed servers requires the associated CAL (Additive CAL) for each accessing user or device or, alternatively, the associated External Connector (Additive EC) for each server accessed. Additive External Connectors must be licensed in addition to the corresponding Base External Connectors for access to advanced functionality on the licensed server.
9. Are there any exceptions to the CAL and External Connector requirements?
Yes, CALs and External Connectors are not required for access by another licensed server, to access server software running a web workload or HPC Workload, or to access in a physical OSE used solely for hosting and managing virtual OSEs.
10. What is the difference between Base and Additive access licenses?
Base access licenses provide access for Windows Server 2016 Standard and Datacenter editions. Windows Server CAL and Windows Server External Connector licenses are Base access licenses. Additive access licenses provide access to advanced server functionality, and are available as CALs and External Connector licenses. CALs and External Connector licenses for Windows Server Remote Desktop Services, Windows Server Active Directory Rights Management Services, and Microsoft Identity Manager are all Additive access licenses. Additive access licenses must be acquired in addition to the corresponding Base access licenses for access to advanced server functionality.
11. Do I still need a separate CAL to access advanced server functionality for Windows Server 2016?
Yes. The licensing requirements for access to advanced server functionality have not changed with Windows Server 2016. Advanced server functionality requires Additive access licenses, and are available as CALs and External Connector. Windows Server Remote Desktop Services, Windows Server Active Directory Rights Management Services, and Microsoft Identity Manager all require Additive access licenses. Additive access licenses must be licensed in addition to the corresponding Base access licenses. Base access licenses provide access for Windows Server 2016 Standard and Datacenter editions. Windows Server CAL and Windows Server External Connector licenses are Base access licenses. Additive CALs must be licensed in addition to the corresponding Base CALs for access to advanced functionality on the licensed server.
12. What is the difference between Windows Server 2016 Standard and Datacenter editions?
As with prior versions, Windows Server 2016 Standard and Datacenter editions include the core functionality of Windows Server and offer different virtualization rights. New features were added to both editions of Windows Server 2016, including Host Guardian Service and Nano Server. Windows Server 2016 Datacenter edition includes additional features such as Shielded Virtual Machines, software-defined networking, Storage Spaces Direct, and Storage Replica.
13. What are some of the features available in Windows Server 2016 Datacenter and Standard editions?
There are a variety of new features in Windows Server 2016 Datacenter and Standard editions. Here are just a few examples:
Nano Server is a deeply refactored version of Windows Server with a small footprint and remotely managed installation, optimized for the cloud and a DevOps workflow. It is a purpose-built operating system designed to run born-in-thecloud applications and containers. It is designed for fewer patch and update events, faster restarts, better resource utilization and tighter security. Learn more about Nano Server.
Containers are the next evolution in virtualization and empower software developers to create the next generation of applications experiences. A container is an isolated, resource controlled, and portable operating environment where an application can run without affecting the rest of the system and without the system affecting the application. Other advantages of containers include speed, simplified DevOps, and increased flexibility in application development.
• Windows Server containers provide application isolation through process and namespace isolation technology. A Windows Server container shares a kernel with the container host and all containers running on the host. Learn more about Windows Server Containers.
• Hyper-V containers expand on the isolation provided by Windows Server Containers by running each container in a highly optimized virtual machine. In this configuration, the kernel of the container host is not shared with the Hyper-V containers.
Shielded Virtual Machines (Shielded VMs) provide a more secure environment for VMs and extend to virtual machines the same security capabilities (for example, secure boot, TPMs, disk encryption) that physical machines have enjoyed for years. As a result, the data and state of a Shielded VM are protected against inspection, theft and tampering from malware running on a Hyper-V host as well as the fabric admins administering it. Shielded VMs are available with Datacenter edition.
Host Guardian Service (HGS) is a main component for configuring guarded hosts and running Shielded VMs. HGS provides Attestation and Key Protection services that enable Hyper-V to run Shielded VMs. A Hyper-V host is known as a “guarded host” once the Attestation service affirmatively validates its identity & configuration. Once affirmatively attested, the Key Protection service provides the transport key (TK) needed to unlock & run Shielded VMs. Without HGS, a Hyper-V host cannot power a Shielded VM on because it can’t decrypt it. Why? Because Hyper-V doesn’t have the keys—only HGS does. HGS won’t hand out the keys to a Hyper-V host until that host has been measured and is considered “healthy”—a process known as “attestation.”
14. How do I determine which Windows Server 2016 edition is right for me?
Because Windows Server 2016 Standard and Datacenter editions provide different virtualization rights and offer differentiated features, the decision will be based on virtualization, datacenter, and infrastructure strategies.
Datacenter: If the customer’s strategy includes highly virtualized and software-defined datacenter environments, Datacenter edition provides optimum flexibility. When all physical cores on the server are licensed, Datacenter edition provides rights to use unlimited Operating System Environments (OSEs) or Hyper-V containers and unlimited Windows Server containers on the licensed server. This edition allows elasticity to add and move virtual OSEs across Datacenter licensed servers without needing to track the virtual OSE count on that server. Datacenter edition includes Nano Server, Host Guardian Service, Shielded Virtual Machines, software-defined networking, Storage Spaces Direct, and Storage Replica.
Standard: If the customer’s strategy includes low density or non-virtualized environments, Standard edition is the right product for their needs. When all physical cores on the server are licensed, Standard edition provides rights to use two OSEs or Hyper-V containers and unlimited Windows Server containers on the licensed server. Standard edition includes Nano Server and Host Guardian Service.
Essentials: If the customer’s strategy includes a cloud-connected first server for small businesses with up to 25 users and 50 devices, Essentials edition is the right product for their needs. Each server license provides rights to use one running instance of the server software in either a physical OSE or virtual OSE on the licensed server.
For more information
Volume Licensing Service Center (VLSC)
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