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Windows Server 2016 for small servers

Small Steps

Article from ADMIN 42/2017

By Thomas Joos

Small businesses often do not need the full-blown version of Windows Server 2016. If the application scenarios are manageable, the cheaper Essentials version is the ideal solution; however, it does come with a number of restrictions.

The Windows Server 2016 Essentials management interface, known as the dashboard, has not changed since the 2012 version. From the dashboard, clients and users can manage the network centrally, even without IT skills (Figure 1). The server supports up to 25 user connections and 50 computers. If more are in use, companies need to switch to Windows Server 2016 Standard, which does not have a dashboard. However, the Essentials role, with a dashboard, is available in the Standard and Datacenter editions. If you install the Essentials role on a server running Windows Server 2016 Standard or Datacenter, you will not be limited to 25 users and 50 devices.

Figure 1: Windows Server 2016 Essentials is managed in a dashboard, just like its predecessors.

Compliant Licensing

Windows Server 2012 R2 introduced the option of installing the Essentials functions as a server service on the Datacenter and Standard editions. Client Access Licenses (CALs) are not necessary when using Windows Server 2016 Essentials. The server can have a maximum 64GB of memory. In such a scenario, multiple servers with Windows Server 2016 Essentials can be integrated into an existing Active Directory (e.g., for branches or small offices). A 2016 Essentials license costs

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