Holy cow, they’re on a roll.
After embracing Open Source, they’re taking the Windows Server OS to a whole new level. The kind of level I, as a Linux enthousiast, am glad to see.
Nano Server
[…] we removed the GUI stack, 32 bit support (WOW64), MSI and a number of default Server Core components. There is no local logon or Remote Desktop support. All management is performed remotely via WMI and PowerShell.
In addition to Server Core editions, Microsoft is announcing Nano Servers, an even more trimmed down version of the OS with only the needed tools to run your applications.
It’s starting to look more like a Linux Kernel. A new version of Windows Server, without the bloat and lagginess that comes from the GUI management tools.
We are improving remote manageability via PowerShell with Desired State Configuration as well as remote file transfer, remote script authoring and remote debugging.
To manage the Nano Servers, they’re investing more in Desired State Configuration, a Windows solution similar to Puppet or Chef’s Config Management. DevOps all around.
Seriously, nice move.
Hyper-V Containers
The newly announced Nano Server is to Hyper-V Containers what CoreOS is to Docker. An OS as tiny as possible, built with one purpose: run containers.
Leveraging our deep virtualization experience, Microsoft will now offer containers with a new level of isolation previously reserved only for fully dedicated physical or virtual machines, while maintaining an agile and efficient experience with full Docker cross-platform integration. Through this new first-of-its-kind offering, Hyper-V Containers will ensure code running in one container remains isolated and cannot impact the host operating system or other containers running on the same host.
Looks like we’ve got Docker containers on steroids, rebranded to Hyper-V containers.
The New Microsoft
It bears repeating: the Microsoft of the last year is one like we’ve never seen before. They’re embracing Open Source, investing in the DevOps culture of automation via tools like Chocolatey, Desired State Configuration, Containers, …
I’ve lost interest in the Microsoft stack in the last few years, but announcements like these force me to give Windows Server a new chance.