Windows Server Summit | Recap & what's next
Krähe mit HutAnd what am I supposed to do with all this news now?
With Windows Server 2025, there have been some significant changes under the hood. Now, the usual round of questions and concerns will likely begin -
- Do we really need it/what real added value does it offer us?
- What will it cost us?
- What additional costs will arise (e.g., hardware replacement)?
- etc.
DieUltimately, everyone must answer these questions for themselves. The following scenarios are intended to help identify added value and thus enable you to create your own personal cost-benefit analysis.
Selective deployment of Windows Server 2025
If you recently purchased Windows Server 2022 for your data center without Software Assurance, the question inevitably arises whether another upgrade makes sense, since all physical hosts would need to be licensed again.
There are two options: the new pay-as-you-go licensing model or the option, already introduced with Windows Server 2022, to license individual virtual machines (VMs). With the latter, at least eight virtual cores must be licensed for each VM. This allows for the selective deployment of Windows Server 2025—for example, for deploying new domain controllers to utilize the new LAPS features.
Replacement of traditional services
Typically, companies use services such as a file server or Windows Server Update Services. These usually consume a lot of storage space and don't support native high availability. This limitation can be particularly critical for file services. And WSUS, by its very nature, isn't a service known for its stability.
Azure Files and Azure Update Manager allow you to replace these two services with modern deployment and management approaches. Furthermore, Azure Arc offers many more ways to enrich your IT infrastructure with cloud services!
Outsourcing and modernization of applications
A typical scenario:
"Application X is running slowly! The database server must have insufficient hardware!" "OK, let's upgrade again..." Result: the database server is idle 90% of the time and struggles with poorly written queries 10% of the time.
Azure Migrate allows you to analyze and evaluate applications and their backends free of charge, enabling you to establish the appropriate framework for a transformation to the corresponding cloud services—for example, Azure App Service for web applications and Azure SQL Database for MSSQL-based applications.
This can also be helpful if your company is currently considering the future of its own data center.
- How many new servers do we need?
- Should the VMware licenses be renewed?
- Can we reduce/optimize the costs?
Conclusion
The points mentioned above demonstrate the significant flexibility now available. You don't have to move your entire data center to the cloud; instead, you can selectively choose what's most advantageous for your business.
You're also no longer forced to use traditional (and often very expensive) licensing methods. Flexible models are now available and readily available.
The hybrid IT approach will undoubtedly remain relevant for years to come! Windows Server 2025 supports this with new features and enhanced flexibility.
Additional information
Overview of all articles: Windows Server Summit in a nutshell
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