Windows Server Semi-Annual (Updated September 1400)

Windows Server, version xxxx is the name of a new product from the Windows Server family that is on the SAC or "semi-annual" channel. Until now, all products in this family were only available on the LTSC or "Long Term Service" channel, of which Windows Server 2019 is the latest member. Each version of Windows Server SAC is numbered with a four-digit number indicating the year and month it was built; For example, 2004 means the fourth month of 2020. Each version comes with 18 months of full Microsoft support. Read the post about Windows 10 LTSC for more information on how to publish and service Microsoft products.
- Semi-Annual ChannelThis version of Windows Server is designed for people who always want to use the latest technologies and advanced technologies. The core of this Windows, like normal Windows 10, is being updated rapidly and is constantly offering new features. Most of the new features seen in this Windows server will be added to the next version of Windows Server over time on the LTSC channel.
The question that most IT managers and IT engineers ask is which version of Windows Server to use to manage and optimize their servers. Microsoft briefly states that a version of Windows Server LTSC such as Windows Server 2019 is more suitable for the following applications:- Set up and manage public file servers- Processing high workloads (Microsoft and non-Microsoft)- Work with traditional software- Setting up infrastructure servers- Implementation of data centers defined based on software- Implementation of HCI
While the Windows SAC server version such as Windows Server, version 21H1 is recommended for the following:- Execution of various software implemented in the form of containers and microservices- Set up a container hosting server- Testing and implementing the latest IT capabilities- Software scenarios that take advantage of rapid innovations.
- Hardware compatibilityExcept as otherwise provided, all minimum system requirements for each version of this Windows server are equal to the latest LTSC version at the time of its release.
- ServiceBoth SAC and LTSC versions provide all security and non-security updates for the operating system and differ only in the duration of each support. Like other versions of Windows, this version of Windows Server can be serviced and updated by various Microsoft tools such as Windows Update, WSUS, and Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager.
Is it possible to switch between LTSC and SAC channels?- No. This is not possible because the two versions are on different channels and the base version is different. In some cases it is possible to transfer Server Core editing from the LTSC channel to the SAC.
Why does this version of Windows Server lack a graphical user interface (GUI)?One of the most important steps Microsoft can take in planning any version of Windows Server is to hear the customer's point of view; How do you use Windows Server? What new features have the most impact on your system implementation and day-to-day business? Transmitting user feedback to Microsoft allows new features to be tailored to existing needs and optimized.
On the other hand, most leading IT servers and data centers manage their systems with the PowerShell command line and do not require much graphical interface, especially now that Windows Admin Center is provided for remote management of servers.
By focusing on Server Core editing, Microsoft will be able to put more energy and time into new features while maintaining the traditional Windows Server framework performance.
What happened to Nano Server?The new Nano Server feature, first introduced in Windows Server 2016, is only available as a Container Image of Windows Server version 1803 and must be run as a container on a dedicated host such as Server Core. Creating a Nano Sever-based container differs from previous versions in the following cases:- Optimized for .NET Core software.- Even smaller than Windows Server 2016- Lack of PowerShell Core and Core NET. And WMI by default- Lack of Servicing Stack and release of a new version in Docker- Nano container troubleshooting by Docker- Ability to run Nano containers on IoT Core