Windows Server 2012 is the "most significant jump in OS capabilities since Microsoft first introduced Windows as a server OS," observed Forrester analyst Richard Fichera in an article on Computerworld UK.
The Forrester analyst highlighted five technology "buckets" of the new server that will improve the enterprise IT environment:
- new file system
- deployment and management at scale
- improved Hyper-V, virtual networking and associated tools
- emphasis on multi-tenancy
- client and remote office functions
Windows Server 2012's new file system is ReFS, which is designed to survive failures that would bring down or corrupt the previous file system. "Combined with improvements in cluster management and failover, this is a capability that will play across the entire user spectrum," commented Fichera.
In addition, the server is designed to facilitate deployment of multiple OS copies on systems located in different locations.
The new server has made improvements to Hyper-V, including improvements to high availability/disaster recovery provisioning, enhanced virtual networking and expansion in the size of individual virtual machines.
Windows Server 2012 has multiple features to enhance the multi-tenancy capabilities, which will be useful for traditional enterprise IT environment as well as cloud environments, Fichera said.
The server includes improved management of client devices to enable central control of data and enhanced audit and compliance capabilities, as well as improvement in Branch Cache remote file services to enable tighter and more efficient management of data at remote offices.
"So should everyone rush out to deploy it widely across your company? Heck no," cautioned Fichera. "It's new, will have bugs, and like any major release, will certainly need some updates to stabilize it."
"But, and this is critical, you must [his emphasis] begin to evaluate and pilot it even if you are still completing your rollout of Windows Server 2008. My guess is that [the new server] is the future of Windows OS, and will probably serve as the core of Microsoft's strategy for the next decade," Fichera stressed.
"This OS could have the same transformative impact on the industry as the first release of Windows server did, directly addressing Microsoft's strategy to become a major player in the cloud (both enterprise and public), and changing the dynamics of the emerging competitive battle with VMware (NYSE: VMW) as both attempt to become the center of what VMware has begun marketing as the 'software-defined data center'," he concluded.
