Windows Server is a group of operating systems that is used to support applications, data storage, management and communication. Windows Server comes in several editions with the most recent being 2016, 2019 and 2022. Each edition offers multiple versions, such as Essentials, Standard, Datacenter etc. In this article, you can read more about Windows Server 2022 Essentials and Windows Server 2022 Standard, their differences, system requirements and licensing models.
What is Windows Server 2022?
Windows Server from Microsoft is a group of operating systems aimed at business users to support data storage and communication. This is why Windows Server is only available for businesses and not for private users. In comparison to the 2019 edition, Windows Server 2022 has mainly received improvements on Azure hybrid integration, security and application platform. In the next paragraphs, you can read about Windows Server 2022 Essentials and Windows Server 2022 Standard.
Windows Server 2022 Essentials
Windows Server 2022 Essentials is tailored to smaller businesses, with up to 25 users and 50 devices. Even though it is a server license, Windows Server Essentials does not require any CALs. This is because the server is limited to 10 cores. With Essentials, you can run 2 virtual machines, with one Hyper-V host per license. Other features that are included within Windows Server 2022 Essentials are information protection, hybrid cloud support and remote access. As Essentials offers limited possibilities when it comes to devices and users, it is the cheapest available version of Windows Server 2022. Windows Server Essentials does not include features such as Storage Replica, Storage Spaces Direct and unlimited virtual machines. These features are only included in Windows Server 2022 Datacenter.
Windows Server 2022 Standard
Windows Server 2022 Standard is a great solution for middle-sized and bigger businesses. With Windows Server 2022 Standard you get the same features as with the Essentials version. One of the main differences is that the Standard allows more users and devices than Essentials. For Windows Server 2022 Standard, you will need to acquire CALs for every User or Device that needs to have access to the server. Further in this article you can find whether to choose User CALs or Device CALs. In comparison to the 2019 edition, Windows Server 2022 Standard received improvements regarding security, storage enhancements, networking and Azure capabilities. The standard support end date for Windows Server 2022 Standard is on October 13th of 2026. The extended support end date is on October 14th of 2031.
If you are looking for features such as Storages Spaces Direct, Host Guardian Hyper-V Support, software-defined networking and Storage Replica, we recommend taking a look at Windows Server 2022 Datacenter.
In this article you can find the most important differences between Windows Server 2022 Standard and Datacenter.
Windows Server 2022 Essentials vs Standard: the differences
The most important difference between these 2 is that Windows Server 2022 Essentials is usable up to 25 users and 50 devices, whereas Standard does not have such a limit. A consequence of this, is that Windows Server 2022 Essentials does not require user/device CALs, but Standard does require these CALs. Another consequence of the difference in limits for users and devices, is that Essentials is aimed for small businesses, while Standard is aimed for middle-sized and bigger businesses. This means, that the biggest, and by far most important difference between Essentials and Standard, is the difference between the number of users/devices that can have access to the server.
Find out more about all features, editions and versions of WIndows Server 2022.
Windows Server 2022 requirements
In order to use Windows Server 2022, there are several requirements that must be met:
- RAM: 2 GB or more
- Processor: 1.4 GHz 64-bit processor, 64-bit compatible
- Disk: At least 32 GB free space
- Graphics: 1024 x 768 pixels display
- Other: Internet connection
Do I need User CALs or Device CALs?
With Windows Server you always need to purchase CALs. CAL is short for Client Access License, and it ensures that you have the correct rights to use the server. Regardless of the Windows Sever version and edition you have; you most definitely need CALs as well. You can choose between User and Device CALs. Whether you need the former or the latter strongly depends on the number of users and devices you need to provide access to the server for. Usually, we recommend to our clients to license the lower amount. Here is an example:
- If you have less users than devices, let's say 80 users and 100 devices, it is more efficient to acquire 80 User CALs instead of 100 device CALs.
- If you have less devices than users, for example 40 devices and 90 users, it is more cost-efficient to acquire 40 Device CALs.
Conclusion:
- The functions are the same when comparing Windows Server 2022 Essentials and Standard.
- Standard allows more users/devices than Essentials, as Essentials is limited to 25 users and 50 devices.
- If you need more than this, you should acquire Windows Server 2022 Standard, or even Datacenter.
- If the features of Windows Server 2022 Standard are not enough for your business, you should acquire Windows Server 2022 Datacenter.
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