Windows Nano Server: 5 Things It Can Do for Your Business

If you're interested in managing a cloud-based, 64-bit application that doesn't require any local existent estate, then y'all should look into Windows Nano Server. With this low-maintenance Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) installation option, you'll be able to remotely control your app's operating arrangement (Bone) without the security, capacity, and operation headaches associated with a total version of Windows Server. Before nosotros get into how you can use Windows Nano Server to improve your business, allow's dive a little deeper into what Windows Nano Server is and how it'due south different from Windows Server.

What Is Windows Nano Server?

Dissimilar Windows Server, which is designed to manage local and deject-based apps, Windows Nano Server is designed strictly for cloud operating systems (OSes) and apps that are developed straight on the cloud. Although you're given access to full Windows Server commuter support besides as malware protection, your apps are run entirely on Microsoft's cloud, without ever linking dorsum to a physical server. This means you're running a faster, leaner, more bones server that's designed to avoid some of the struggles associated with larger server installations, especially update headaches and a larger security attack surface.

Remember of it similar this: Windows Server is a cruise ship; Windows Nano Server is a speedboat. A cruise send is designed to host thousands of people for long periods of time, with access to multiple different rooms and activities. Maintaining, steering, transporting, and cleaning the prowl send are each massive undertakings that crave significant manpower. On the other hand, a speedboat requires ane practiced to maintain the boat, steering is equally easy as turning a wrist, and cleaning it just requires a hose, h2o, soap, and a 6-pack of beer (okay, the hose is optional).

Now that yous better empathise the difference betwixt Windows Nano Server and Windows Server, let'due south interruption downward the ways in which your business benefits from choosing the 64-chip Windows Nano Server. Go on in mind, if you're not thinking of using Windows Nano Server for the following instances—as a compute host for Hyper-V virtual machines (VMs), as a storage host for Scale-Out File Server, equally a domain proper noun system (DNS) server, as a web server running Cyberspace Information Services (IIS), or as a host for apps that are developed using cloud app patterns—y'all should probably opt for a more traditional server install.

i. Fewer Reboots

Considering of security and performance issues, Microsoft Azure requires users to reboot in order to deliver patches. However, these patches may not necessarily correlate with any of the programs you're running, and the downtime could cost your business organization significant coin. With Windows Nano Server, you'll likely see a dramatic reduction in the amount of times you lot'll take to reboot, which ways you're A) more operational and B) much less annoyed.

2. Smaller Server Images

Your server image probably takes up too much disk space as is, but when you need to transfer images, or store previous versions of images, you'll really start to see bug occur. Large images take a long time to install, they clog up precious network bandwidth, and you'll quickly run out of capacity saving backup versions. The smaller Windows Nano Server images are quick to install, they transfer quickly, and they don't take up much disk infinite at all—all of which translates to consistent operations and more revenue.

An example Microsoft likes to use is this: If you've got a 4-rack arrangement running on Windows Server, then that's more than 8,000 VMs, each of which runs at 2 GB each (compared to a 600MB Windows Nano Server deployment). And so, whenever your arrangement needs to migrate, you've got to move 16 TB of data across your network. Roughshod.

3. More Room for Other Things

Considering you're using less space on your server deployment, you'll now have the ability to store and transfer more data for other aspects of your business. For example, y'all'll be able to save more backups in the event of a disaster, or y'all'll be able to store additional corporate data that you lot might take had to chip because of capacity concerns.

4. Better Security

Fewer moving parts in your server architecture means fewer admission points for attackers. Considering Windows Nano Server is a small, basic, and cloud-based utility, in that location are fewer entry points for set on. For example, Windows Nano Server is what Microsoft calls "headless," which means there is no local logon capability or graphical user interface (GUI), both of which can be compromised by attackers. It also tin't be used as a proxy server to access the internet, and you can't use it to control an Active Directory (AD) domain controller. A smaller footprint means there'due south a smaller bullseye.

5. Better Overall Performance

We've already discussed some of the reasons why a smaller server deployment is benign, but there is some other important element that y'all should consider: random access retentivity (RAM) consumption. Larger server deployments eat up more of your computing resources, which ultimately slows downwardly the operation of third-party apps. In society to ensure all of your apps are running optimally, a smaller server instance is ideal.