10 new features in Windows Server 2012

Windows Server 2012 has been officially released since September 9, 2012 and many IT experts and system administrators are conducting reviews before deploying the software. The operating system is adding a lot of new features useful for system administrators. Microsoft allows downloading the trial version of Windows Server 2012 so we can explore these features before deciding whether to use the operating system or not.

Although this is not the latest version of Win Server, it still supports a lot of features needed for system administrators. If you are interested in Windows Server 2012, check out the 10 most outstanding features of this operating system, before going to the final option.

Avoid duplicate data

One of the constant constants of technology and the IT industry are data storage requirements and these requirements are growing extremely fast. From bulging email boxes to flooding shared documents, every business needs to use more efficient storage. That is why data deduplication features appear.

The program works as follows: Suppose you have a large number of virtual hard drive (VHD) files to migrate. Each of these VHDs has a lot of identical files and applications, such as mineweeper detection, Windows calculator and other applications in Accessories. Data deduplication will remove all copies of applications from those VHDs but only one copy will be retained. The remaining data is then stored in a separate location in SVI (System Volume Information) and points to files that serve as source templates. This frees up a large amount of special memory space when it is applied to thousands of files. Data deduplication works for many different computer networks and computers running Windows 8 or Windows Server 2012. If you have multiple files and data to save without enough memory, this is a really useful feature.

Installation options allow removal of the GUI

Windows Server 2012 currently has a default installation option that allows installing less core GUI servers. Users can also install Windows Server 2012 with the minimal user interface, meaning they even have more ways to install only the Windows Server files they need. This helps reduce disk space, minimizing the risk of attack from hackers by limiting the minimum number of files to install.

Hyper-V 3.0

Windows Server 2012 is loaded with many new features, but perhaps the biggest improvement is Hyper-V virtualization. Abandoning VMware, Microsoft has now added Hyper-V an impressive list of improvements. One of them is support for up to 64 processors and 1TB of RAM on virtual machines, as well as support for up to 320 logic-level hardware processors and 4TB of RAM on a server (host). The message is clear: Microsoft is doing everything it can to demolish VMware's position, the choice of leading virtualization platform for businesses at this time.

IP address management (IPAM)

One of the biggest concerns of many IT professionals is monitoring IP addresses used on the organization's network. IPAM is a new feature in Windows Server 2012 that allows to locate and manage IP address space on the network. Users can also manage and monitor DNS and DHCP servers. The feature also explores IP automatically and provides a host (host) containing other IP-related tasks, focusing on management, monitoring and inventory.

Network virtualization changes

One of the aspects that are lacking in managing and providing virtual machines is dealing with rules and penalties from IP address management. Microsoft is making major improvements to network virtualization in Windows Server 2012, all aimed at addressing issues related to IP addresses and virtual machines. Features pave the way for the recognition of private clouds, and also dismantle barriers to make access to IaaS easier.

Re-FS

The NTFS file system format has been used for over a decade by Microsoft. Recent requirements from private virtualization and cloud computing require more from NTFS, so Microsoft decided to add new features and strengthen existing features for NTFS. The result is an NTFS upgrade called Re-FS appears.

Re-FS supports larger file and folder sizes, cleans the disk, improves performance, supports advanced virtualization .

Transfer virtual machines

One of the impressive features on Hyper-V 3.0 is the shared nothing live migration, allowing users to move virtual machines from one computer to another, requiring a shared storage before proceeding with a transfer. This feature benefits small IT departments and makes it easier to move virtual machines without expensive shared storage. This is one of the impressive features in Windows Server 2012 and helps small and medium IT departments become responsive and responsive to the needs of businesses and customers.

Storage and storage space

Effective use of all forms of separate storage can sometimes be a very difficult job, especially when storage demand is increasing. Microsoft is hoping to help administrators solve the problem by introducing two Storages and Spaces concepts in Windows Server 2012.

Storage (Storage Pools) aggregating physical storage devices into interconnected units makes it easier to add memory capacity when adding storage. As mentioned earlier, devices stored in the archive are not identical to the device type or storage size. You can combine devices and storage sizes here.

Storage Spaces allow users to create virtual drives with the same characteristics as real devices: Can be plugged, removed, backed up and otherwise managed as with physical drives system. But Spaces even has more useful features. They also have extra functionality in backup, restore .

PowerShell 3.0

Microsoft supports PowerShell in Windows Server 2012. More than 2000 PowerShell (cmdlet) statements have been added to allow administrators to manage the Windows Server environment better. The latest update also improves Web access, calendar appointments, supports disconnection sessions and many other new features.

Changes in CHKDSK

The CHKDSK application has been used since MS-DOS 1.0 and is now reinforced in Windows Server 2012. Instead of losing a large amount of persistence scanning each sector on large disks, CHKDSK now scans the drive Follow two steps: error detection and error logging (can also run in the background) then patch the data.

The difference between the traditional CHKDSK version and the improved version is quite clear in time: Some scans can last 150 minutes to complete, only 4 seconds on the improved version.

See more:

1. Instructions for installing Windows Server 2012 step by step
2. Instructions for creating a Domain Controller - DC on Windows Server 2012
3. How to start Windows Server 2012 in Safe Mode