Windows Server 2016

The previous version of Windows Server superseding Windows Server 2012. Windows Server 2016 added container support: Windows Server Container shares resources, while Hyper-V Container isolates resources for high-trust workloads. Windows Server 2016 makes it easier to run Linux virtual machines (VMs), and Storage Spaces was improved to use local storage in the event of failover. See Windows Server 2012.

ReVS and OpenID
The ReVS file system, introduced in Windows Server 2012, was made more stable. OpenID authentication is supported in Active Directory Federation Services (ADFS), which supports claims-based identity for single sign-on between local and cloud services. See ReFS and OpenID.

Virtual Machine Enhancements
Nested virtualization allows a Hyper-V VM to host other VMs. Hardware can be added and RAM can be allocated without shutting down the machine, and PowerShell is supported in the VMs. In addition, Windows Server 2016 added more control over VM access.

Windows Server Version 1709
In late 2017, this update added a twice-yearly release cycle option instead of every two to three years. In addition Version 1709 includes numerous container enhancements, including support for cluster volumes. Server Core Container and Nano Container were introduced, which provide more flexibility. Nano Server was deprecated.

Version 1709 supports data deduplication under the ReFS file system, and traffic can be encrypted between virtual machines (VMs). More VPN support was added. See Windows Server Essentials.

Edition of             SMPWindows Server 2016    Support  RAM

   64-bit Essentials      2-way   64GB

   64-bit Standard       64-way   24TB

   64-bit DataCenter     64-way   24TB

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