Microsoft Releases Nano Server For Cloud Apps and Containers

Sunday, April 19, 2015

The newly released Microsoft Nano Server is a purpose-built operating system designed to run born-in-the-cloud applications and containers offering an OS that delivers speed, agility and lower resource consumption.

Nano Server is a deeply refactored version of Windows Server with a small footprint and remotely managed installation, optimized for the cloud and a DevOps workflow. It is designed for fewer patch and update events, faster restarts, better resource utilization and tighter security. Nano Server focuses on two scenarios:

- Born-in-the-cloud applications: Provides support for multiple programming languages and runtimes including C#, Java, Node.js, and Python running in containers, virtual machines, or on physical servers.

- Microsoft Cloud Platform infrastructure: Support for compute clusters running Hyper-V and storage clusters running Scale-out File Server.

Nano Server will allow developers to install just the components they require and nothing more. Based on the current builds, compared to Windows Server, Nano Server has:

93 percent lower VHD size

92 percent fewer critical bulletins

80 percent fewer reboots

To lower the footprint for Nano Server Microsoft 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.

Microsoft is also adding Windows Server Roles and Features using Features on Demand and DISM as well as improving remote manageability via PowerShell with Desired State Configuration as well as remote file transfer, remote script authoring and remote debugging. Microsoft is working on a set of new Web-based management tools to replace local inbox management tools.

Because Nano Server is a refactored version of Windows Server it will be API-compatible with other versions of Windows Server within the subset of components it includes. Visual Studio is fully supported with Nano Server, including remote debugging functionality and notifications when APIs reference unsupported Nano Server components.

A preview will be available in the coming weeks and more information will be released at the BUILD conference.