The most important functions and features of Windows Server 2016 at a glance

A Device - or User-CAL for Windows Server 2016 entitles you to use many improvements and additions compared to Windows Server 2016 and also to benefit from many important new functions, which support IT even better in all relevant administration tasks and areas, but also in virtualization. The interface, already familiar from Windows 10, makes Windows Server 2016 particularly easy to use.

Compared to the previous version, the Windows Server 2016 Standard and Datacenter versions offer Core & Nano server deployment, virtualization/Hyper-V container and Windows Container as well as Host Guardian Service.

With a User or Device CAL, the Datacenter Edition of Windows Server 2016 also offers the use of features that are particularly aimed at companies with extensive workloads and many virtual systems - and thus also high IT requirements. These include Software Defined Networking (SDN) as well as network stacks (Protocol Stack), Storage Spaces Direct (S2D), Storage Replica and Shielded Virtual Machines (Shielded VMs).

Furthermore, various tools such as Open-SSH or cURL make it much easier to set up and connect to a Linux server.

Depending on the degree of virtualization of a company or institution, the editions of Windows Server 2016 available from Wiresoft offer users all the functions and features they need.

Windows Server 2016 Standard Edition

Windows Server 2016 Standard is suitable for companies that either operate exclusively physical servers or use only slightly virtualized environments (VMs). This cloud-enabled edition is of course also suitable for web hosting.

Windows Server 2016 Standard has many features that support the move to a cloud environment, including even greater stability and infrastructure security. This makes it possible not only to create a complex network, but also to operate your own data center to manage a company's IT infrastructure. Other benefits include even higher speed and improved protection against network and storage failures.

So there is also the possibility to start the Windows Server system in the simpler core application. This is not equipped with a graphical user interface, which significantly increases performance, especially on older devices.

The assignment of user rights and server roles has been expanded with additional options. This enables an even more secure and at the same time more efficient administration of the entire server system. Furthermore, the following features of the Standard should also be mentioned in detail:

nano server

Nano Server in Windows Server 2016 now makes it possible to design significantly leaner servers, because a virtual machine can save more than 90% of space. Nano Server can be used for common server services, for example as a file server or for creating Hyper-V clusters.

Server container and docker support

Windows Server 2016 now supports server- and docker-compatible containers, which not only provide a leaner alternative to VMs, but also simplify application deployment.

New features in Hyper-V

Hyper-V in the 2016 server edition offers higher scalability, in line with the requirements for a public cloud. In addition, there are practical storage features such as the iSCSI initiator and support for storage spaces or multi-path I/O.

In addition, hot-add of NICs, a rolling upgrade for Hyper-V-Clusters as well as VM Storage Resiliency increase the availability by a higher tolerance against storage system failures.

Windows Server 2016 Datacenter Edition

The Windows Server 2016 Datacenter Edition has, in addition to all the functions included in the Standard Edition, additional features that allow the use of highly virtualized cloud and datacenter environments. With its innovative technology, it is therefore especially tailored to modern companies and the right choice when virtualization, cloud integration and software defined storage play an important role.

The Datacenter Edition offers many advantages, especially in the areas of security and data storage, which are so important to the company. For example, the corresponding applications provide the necessary flexibility to quickly adapt IT infrastructures to current business requirements. This also includes server virtualization in addition to a virtual desktop infrastructure.

Many exclusive features, such as shielded virtual machines, Storage Spaces Direct as well as Storage Replica and Software Defined Networking (SDN) support administrators in building a stable network structure. This also includes important innovations in failover clustering in Hyper-V, which increases the resilience of the networks - especially in the event of failures.

The Windows Server 2016 Datacenter Edition also provides cost-effective storage and application platforms and software-defined networks. It also provides better server management and automation, as well as greater protection when accessing critical data.

Hardware requirements for running Windows Server 2016

In order to ensure a safe and trouble-free operation of Windows Server 2016, the following minimum requirements are necessary. The actual requirements also depend on the respective system configuration and other installed applications in individual cases.

Processor architecture: 64-bit

Processor speed: 1.4 GHz

Memory: 512 MB (Server Core and Server Nano) or 2 GB for installation with desktop display

Storage space on the hard disk: at least 32 GB

Network card: at least 1 Ethernet adapter with data throughput in the Gigabit range

Buy User and Device CALs for the Server Edition 2016 from Wiresoft

For the legal use of the functions of the Standard or Datacenter Edition of Windows Server 2016, Microsoft provides CALs (Client Access Licenses), which must be purchased. This means that with this licensing model, the implementation of a software must be supplemented by a permission to use it in the form of a license. In order to be able to use all services and functions of the respective Microsoft Server Edition 2016, a number of CALs is thus required, depending on the number of terminal devices or users who are to access them.

Each CAL is an individual license and only grants access to the Windows Server 2016 to the respective authorized user or end device. All other devices or users who do not have a corresponding access license are consequently denied server access. This restriction not only means greater security in general, but also protects critical data from unauthorized employees of your own company.

Difference between User CALs and Device CALs for Windows Server 2016

Microsoft's Client Access License distinguishes between User CALs and Device CALs. This offers the following advantage: The differentiation between CALs for end devices and users allows simple, flexible and needs-based rights management in the company. Device CALs and user CALs can also be combined. In addition, a CAL for Windows Server 2016 also authorizes access to an older Windows Server edition - but this is not possible the other way round.

Wiresoft offers both client access licensing forms for the available server versions 2016 Standard and Datacenter: User CALs and Device CALs. The decision for one or both types of CAL can be determined by the factors described below. 

Windows Server 2016 User CAL

Each User CAL for the Windows Server 2016 only allows one specific user to access the server. The User CAL is therefore not bound to a specific device, but grants the authorized user access to the server on different devices.

User CAL therefore offers the advantage that it allows access to the server, for example, once from the PC at the workplace in the company, OR also from another terminal device (e.g. laptop or tablet) that the access-authorized user uses while on the road or in the home office. A User CAL thus allows particularly flexible and mobile use of Windows Server 2016.

Windows Server 2016 Device CAL

The Microsoft Device CAL is an exclusively device-related access authorization. A single terminal device receives access rights for the Windows Server. The type of device is arbitrary: whether a locally used PC, OR a laptop or tablet, which can then be used by everyone who is authorized to do so, for example on a specific computer at the company site or mobile on a single laptop.

The Device-CAL offers the advantage that any user who is authorized to use the licensed end device also has access to the Windows server.

Device CAL or User CAL?

Which license form - Device CAL or User CAL - is the more practical depends on the predominant use of the end devices in a company. For employees who mainly access the Windows server locally, at their workplace in a company, a Device CAL is therefore more suitable, especially if several users share a computer.

If, on the other hand, the way an employee works requires him to access the server alternately from different devices or workstations - for example in the company and also from on the road or in the home office - then User CAL is more advantageous.

However, a combination of Device CALs and User CALs may also best suit the use of Windows Server in a company. It should always be noted that the respective CAL type cannot be switched.

Buy Device and User CALs for Windows Server 2016 from Wiresoft at a low price

Wiresoft offers both device and user CALs for Windows Server 2016 at a reasonable price. With us, you can cover or supplement your individual needs for both single licenses in a very flexible way. If you have any questions about your licensing with Device and User CALs for Microsoft Server 2016, please do not hesitate to contact us. We will advise you on which is the best and most cost-effective form of licensing for you.

All Microsoft Client Access licenses available from Wiresoft are original, unused European device or user CALs. Thus, you benefit from a price advantage for software licenses which Wiresoft has purchased from other companies and has checked them thoroughly for authenticity. Many of our satisfied customers have already recognized and confirmed the advantages of buying a license from Wiresoft. For further information about our offer of CALs for Windows Server 2016 please contact us.