Let's take a look at editions of Windows Server 2022 in the enterprise.
First, we have the Standard edition,
followed by Datacenter, and then Datacenter Azure edition,
which is only available in the Azure cloud.
The Windows Server 2022 Standard edition is the most
popular version among the three.
Although it includes all the general features,
it doesn't have Hotpatching or software‑defined networking.
Hotpatching allows you to patch without having to reboot the server.
The Storage Replica option is available, but it can't go beyond a 2TB
partition. And the Standard version offers an option for two virtual machines
at no extra cost, along with two free isolated containers.
The Datacenter edition of Windows Server 2022 is a step above the Standard
edition. Although Hotpatching is not available on this version,
it does include software‑defined networking. Software‑defined
networking allows you to create software versions of network switches
and routers instead of using physical ones.
This can save money and space on your server rack.
The Datacenter edition offers unlimited storage replicas and
includes the Storage Spaces Direct feature as well.
And the Datacenter edition offers unlimited virtual machines, along
with unlimited virtual Hyper‑V isolated containers.
The Windows Server 2022 Datacenter Cloud Azure Edition is not a good candidate
for Windows Deployment Services for automated installation.
The Azure Edition is the most premium among the three, and as the
name says, it's supported on Azure and offers specific features not
available outside of the Azure environment.
Hotpatching is a great feature here, which lets admins apply
patches without rebooting, and it uses SMB over QUIC. This allows
for the highest secure access to shared files over the internet
without the need for setting up VPN.
The admin center includes a menu for the Azure hybrid center,
Kubernetes Services, backup file sync, monitor, and Azure
Security Center. For Windows deployment,
you can either use the Standard or Datacenter version in
Core or with the Desktop Experience.
Once you pick your license and order your product, you can choose how you want to deploy Windows Server 2022.