Changes to Windows Server 2016

With the expected release of Windows Server 2016 this upcoming February/March, I wanted to make you aware of the changes Microsoft will make to Windows Server. Please contact me directly if you would like more guidance on these changes. My contact info is available on my LinkedIn page.

1. The licensing basis will change from processor to core on the physical server that Windows is running on.  They will replace the 2-processor license with a 2-core license.  
2. Customers will need to license their Windows servers for a minimum of eight cores per processor, and sixteen cores per server.  (Single processor servers require sixteen core licenses.)
3. Pricing will be net neutral.  The price of eight 2-core licenses will be about the same as the current price of one 2-processor license.  This is true for both the Standard and Datacenter Editions.
4. Windows 2016 introduces something called Hyper-V containers, which allow virtual machines to share an operating system.  Windows Server Standard Edition licenses a server for two virtual machines or two Hyper-V containers.  Windows Server Datacenter Edition licenses a server for any number of virtual machines or Hyper-V containers. 
5. Microsoft has developed a transition plan for customers with Windows Server under Software Assurance.  When their current SA coverage expires, customers can renew this coverage under the new per-core model.
   • Both Standard and Datacenter 2-processor licenses will exchange for 2-core licenses at a ratio of eight to one.
   • SA customers who have servers with more than eight cores per processor can take a self-inventory of their servers, document the actual numbers of cores, and receive the appropriate number of 2-core licenses to reflect that number.  This process is similar to the process used by customers with SQL Server Software Assurance.
   • Customers with Enterprise Agreements, and others that include locked-in pricing, can continue to purchase the processor-based Windows licenses as they had before.  When their current agreements expire, they will move to the per-core model with their next agreement.
6. Windows Server Datacenter Edition also provides additional technology not included in Windows Server Standard Edition, including:
   • Storage Spaces Direct and Storage Replica
   • Shielded Virtual Machines and Host Guardian Service
   • New Azure-inspired features for advanced virtualization scenarios

1. Licensing for System Center 2016 will change to a core basis as well, and the changes above for Windows Server will hold true for System Center too.

Again, please let me know if you have any questions on these changes.

Eric Green