Item: Windows Server
Rating: 9
Author: Verified User

Overall Satisfaction with Windows Server

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

I have been using and implementing Windows Server since NT 4.0 version and have upgraded and migrated my clients all the way up to the current version of Windows Server 2019. I use Windows Server to manage user security across the whole network. Using Active Directory within Windows Server allows you to manage users and their permissions and control their access to all the areas of the network, from one central place.

Pros and Cons

Pros

Manages user accounts.
Controls access to different areas of the network.
Has a robust GUI that Windows users are already familiar with.

Cons

Constant updates that move where things live within Windows can be frustrating.
It is the most widely used server platform, so it's the targeted system type for most hackers.
In the last few years, updates seem to cause more problems than they fix.
Server hardware requirements keep going up and up with each new version.

Return on Investment

Easy to backup and restore since all modern backup options will cover Windows servers.
Very widely used so lots of software options that are compatible with Windows Server.
Easy to manage since it works and looks like a regular windows system for the most part.

Alternatives Considered

Ubuntu Linux and VMware ESXi

Windows Server is by far the easiest server option to get started with because they offer the same kind of interface with windows that most users are already familiar with. Plus, it's the most graphically friendly option, so it is easy to navigate. Lastly, it is the most widely compatible with third-party software solutions out there because it is the most widely adopted option.

Key Insights

Do you think Windows Server delivers good value for the price?

Yes

Are you happy with Windows Server's feature set?

Yes

Did Windows Server live up to sales and marketing promises?

Yes

Did implementation of Windows Server go as expected?

Yes

Would you buy Windows Server again?

Yes

Other Software Used

Microsoft 365 (formerly Office 365), Microsoft Teams, Trello

Likelihood to Recommend

Windows Server is great for environments where sometimes more capable end users have to do some tasks in the system. Because it is built to look like and work like a regular windows workstation, it isn't that difficult to train end users to do some day to day tasks in it, like checking backups or adding new users.

Once you get into powershell scripting, things can get complicated though, and there is lots to learn about scripting commands and capabilities and even syntax, but luckily there are lots of resources available online to help out.

Comments

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Windows Server is the easiest server environment to get started with.