Windows Server 2022 Standard vs. Windows Server 2019: A Comprehensive Comparison

In the evolving landscape of IT infrastructure, selecting the right server operating system is pivotal. Microsoft’s Windows Server series has been at the forefront, with each iteration bringing enhancements to meet modern demands. This article delves into a detailed comparison between Windows Server 2022 Standard and Windows Server 2019, with a focus on security, performance, hybrid capabilities, and more.

Security Enhancements

Windows Server 2019

Windows Server 2019 introduced several security features aimed at protecting data and infrastructure:

• Advanced Threat Protection Integration with Windows Defender ATP for detecting and responding to security threats.

• Shielded Virtual Machines: Protection for VMs against unauthorised access.

• Encrypted Networks: The ability to encrypt network segments to secure data in transit.

Windows Server 2022 Standard

Building upon its predecessor, Windows Server 2022 Standard offers advanced security measures:

• Secured-Core Server Combines hardware, firmware and OS security features for comprehensive protection.

• TLS 1.3 Enabled by Default Ensures secure communications with the latest encryption protocols.

• SMB over QUIC: Provides secure, VPN-less access to file servers over the internet.

• DNS-over-HTTPS: Encrypts DNS requests to improve privacy and security.

These enhancements make Windows Server 2022 Standard a robust choice for organisations prioritising security.

Performance and Scalability

Windows Server 2019

Windows Server 2019 offered reliable performance, suitable for a variety of workloads.

• Improved Cluster Performance Improvements for failover clustering to achieve greater resilience.

• Storage Spaces Direct: Enables the creation of highly available storage systems using local storage.

Windows Server 2022 Standard

Windows Server 2022 Standard introduces significant performance improvements:

• Storage Bus Cache: Enhances storage performance by caching frequently accessed data.

• SMB Compression: Reduces file sizes during transfer, improving speed and efficiency.

• UDP Performance Enhancements: Improved handling of UDP traffic for better performance in real-time applications.

These features contribute to faster data processing and improved application performance.

Hybrid Cloud Integration

Windows Server 2019

Windows Server 2019 laid the groundwork for hybrid cloud environments: 

• Azure Network Adapter Simplifies connecting on-premises servers to Azure.

• Storage Migration Service: Assists in migrating servers to newer versions or to Azure.

Windows Server 2022 Standard

Windows Server 2022 Standard improves hybrid capabilities:

• Azure Arc Integration: Extends Azure management and services to on-premises environments.

• Hotpatching: Allows updates to be installed without requiring a reboot, minimising downtime.

• Parodied Windows Admin Centre: Offers better management tools for hybrid scenarios.

These advancements facilitate seamless integration between on-premises infrastructure and cloud services.

Application Platform Enhancements

Windows Server 2019

Windows Server 2019 supported modern application development: 

• Windows Containers: Support for containerised applications using Docker.

• Kubernetes Support Basic support for Kubernetes orchestration.

Windows Server 2022 Standard

Windows Server 2022 Standard provides enhanced support for application platforms:

• Smaller Container Image Sizes Reduces download times and improves performance.

• Enhanced Kubernetes Support: Improved integration and support for Kubernetes.

• Application Compatibility: Improved compatibility for applications running in containers.

These features make it easier to develop, deploy and manage modern applications.

Licensing and Support

Windows Server 2019

• Licensing Model: Core-based licensing requires Client Access Licences (CALs).

• Support Lifecycle: Mainstream support until 9 January 2024; extended support until 9 January 2029.

Windows Server 2022 Standard

• Licensing Model: Continues with core-based licensing and CALs.

• Support Lifecycle: Mainstream support until 13 October 2026; extended support until 14 October 2031.

The extended support timeline for Windows Server 2022 Standard offers a longer period for updates and security patches.

Feature Comparison Table

Feature	Windows Server 2019	Windows Server 2022 Standard
Secured-Core Server	No	Yes
TLS 1.3 Support	No	Yes
SMB over QUIC	No	Yes
DNS over HTTPS	No	Yes
Storage Bus Cache	No	Yes
SMB Compression	No	Yes
Azure Arc Integration	No	Yes
Hotpatching	No	Yes
Enhanced Kubernetes Support	Basic	Improved
Container Image Size Reduction	No	Yes

Conclusion

Windows Server 2022 Standard offers substantial improvements over Windows Server 2019, particularly in security, performance, and hybrid cloud integration. Organisations seeking to modernise their IT infrastructure and enhance security should consider upgrading to Windows Server 2022 Standard. 

For those interested in acquiring Windows Server 2022 Standard, it is available for purchase at  

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: Is Windows Server 2022 Standard compatible with applications running on Windows Server 2019?
A1: Yes, most applications compatible with Windows Server 2019 should run smoothly on Windows Server 2022 Standard. However, it’s recommended to test critical applications before full deployment.

Q2: Can I upgrade directly from Windows Server 2019 to Windows Server 2022 Standard?
A2: Yes, in-place upgrades from Windows Server 2019 to Windows Server 2022 Standard are supported. Ensure that your hardware meets the requirements and that you have backups before proceeding.

Q3: Does Windows Server 2022 Standard require new Client Access Licences (CALs)?
A3 Yes, Windows Server 2022 Standard requires CALs. Existing CALs may be valid, but it is essential to check that they are compatible with the new version.

Q4: What are the hardware requirements for Windows Server 2022 Standard?
A4 Minimum requirements include a 1.4 GHz 64-bit processor, 512 MB RAM (2 GB for Server with Desktop Experience), and 32 GB of disk space. Additional requirements may apply based on specific roles and features. 

Windows Server 2022 Standard enhances hybrid cloud capabilities through several key features: * **Azure Arc Integration:** Windows Server 2022 offers enhanced integration with Azure Arc, allowing you to manage your on-premises servers, including Windows Server 2022, as if they were running in Azure. This provides a unified management plane for both cloud and on-premises resources, enabling consistent policy enforcement, governance, and monitoring across your hybrid environment. * **Azure Automanage:** This service can be used with Windows Server 2022 to automate common management tasks such as configuration, patching, and security hardening, reducing the manual effort required to maintain your hybrid infrastructure. * **Azure File Sync:** Allows you to centralise your organisation's file shares in Azure Files while keeping the flexibility, performance, and compatibility of an on-premises file server. Windows Server 2022 works seamlessly with Azure File Sync to enable hybrid file storage solutions, providing cloud tiering and multi-site synchronisation. * **Containerisation Improvements:** Windows Server 2022 continues to improve support for containers, including Windows containers. This makes it easier to build, deploy, and manage containerised applications that can run consistently across on-premises environments and Azure container services like Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS). * **Enhanced Security Features:** With features like Secured-core server capabilities and SMB encryption enhancements, Windows Server 2022 provides a more secure foundation for your hybrid workloads, helping to protect sensitive data in transit and at rest, whether it's on-premises or in the cloud.
A5 Windows Server 2022 Standard integrates with Azure services through features like Azure Arc, enabling unified management of on-premises and cloud resources, and supports hotpatching for reduced downtime during updates.