Comments on: FAQ on Windows Server, version 1709 and Semi-Annual Channel

By: Vinicius Apolinario

Vinicius Apolinario — Thu, 02 Nov 2017 00:57:27 +0000

Hi Michael,
The roles available in Server Core are supported in the Semi-Annual Channel releases. However, we highly recommend you consider the shorter 18 months of support and the effects of having to upgrade your infrastructure server in a faster cadence.
Specifically for Windows Server, version 1709, we have many new features for containers and application platform, so this is a great scenario to consider this specific release. Windows Server 2016 continues to be a great solution for these roles if you don’t plan to upgrade so soon and if the new features don’t apply to those scenarios.
Regards,
Vinicius.

By: Tren Dev

Tren Dev — Wed, 01 Nov 2017 18:18:52 +0000

If we buy a Server 2016 license somewhere, how much is it to add Software Assurance? The official Software Assurance site is overly complicated and is tailored to enterprises.. not a single dev with a single server. I also failed to find any price estimate. Not helpful!

By: sbogar

sbogar — Wed, 01 Nov 2017 18:03:02 +0000

this is now the 9th SKU for the last version of windows ever…impressive.

By: Michael

Michael — Wed, 01 Nov 2017 17:49:47 +0000

So Hyper-V clusters and SMB File Server Clusters are the obvious use cases for 1709. What about other roles that can run with Server Core? Is it recommended/supported to use 1709/SAC for those?

Things like DHCP servers, Active Directory Domain Controllers, general purpose file servers, etc.

By: Vinicius Apolinario

Vinicius Apolinario — Wed, 01 Nov 2017 17:43:12 +0000

Hi Bill,
Yes, If you have Windows Server 2016 Datacenter AND have Software Assurance tied to that license, you can use the Datacenter edition of Windows Server, version 1709.
Regards,
Vinicius.

By: Bill Goeman

Bill Goeman — Wed, 01 Nov 2017 14:17:49 +0000

If you’re licensed for Server 2016 via Datacenter licenses, is 1709 covered under this license? Or is there a different SKU for it, similar to how Server 2012 and Server 2012 R2 were licensed separately?

By: Vinicius Apolinario

Vinicius Apolinario — Wed, 01 Nov 2017 06:31:47 +0000

Hi John,
As in the previous comments, we appreciate the feedback. As we explained in the blog post, the scenarios for the Semi-Annual Channel are Server Core recommend. At this point, if you’re looking for something outside of that, you should continue to use Windows Server 2016.
Regards,
Vinicius.

By: John Daniels

John Daniels — Tue, 31 Oct 2017 20:02:10 +0000

I second all the voices saying it’s a horrible decision to not include the GUI. Honolulu is not a replacement as it’s just a preview and far from a GUI replacement. This is a huge setback to what I so far considered MS sterps in the right direction strategically – this is a throwback to the arrogant MS of old, pushing what they say is best for the users down their throats.

I sincerely hope you reconsider as this is useless.

By: Vinicius Apolinario

Vinicius Apolinario — Tue, 31 Oct 2017 19:25:14 +0000

Hi Luc,
We can offer more coffee… our studies show that developers work better when they have access to unlimited coffee. 🙂
Jokes aside, our recommendation is that if an application is not compatible with Server Core, you should use (or continue to use) Windows Server 2016, which provides the Server with Desktop Experience installation option. We’ll continue to improve application compatibility for Server Core and you should consider use the Semi-Annual Channel releases for the workloads that are compatible and that makes sense given the scenarios explained in this blog post.
Regards,
Vinicius.

By: Vinicius Apolinario

Vinicius Apolinario — Tue, 31 Oct 2017 19:20:15 +0000

Hi Joris,
We’ll have more to share on the upgrade paths soon… keep an eye out for that.
Regards,
Vinicius.