We use this solution for the deployment of virtual machines on Hyper-V.
Helps with migration to Hyper-V, reduces costs, and improves infrastructure
Pros and Cons
- "The most valuable feature of this solution is Hyper-V Live Migration for Critical applications."
- "Support for direct USB recognition for the virtual machines would improve this solution."
What is our primary use case?
How has it helped my organization?
We moved from having more than twelve physical servers to only five, reducing costs and improving the infrastructure during the process.
What is most valuable?
The most valuable feature of this solution is Hyper-V Live Migration for Critical applications.
What needs improvement?
It would be great to have support for direct USB recognition for the virtual machines. This will allow us to easily move files from a USB drive connected to our host to one of our VM's without having to mount and share a drive trough the network to move the files.
Buyer's Guide
Windows Server
October 2024
Learn what your peers think about Windows Server. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: October 2024.
816,406 professionals have used our research since 2012.
For how long have I used the solution?
We have been using this solution for five years.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Manager at a tech vendor with 10,001+ employees
Scalable, easy to implement, and has a nice interface
Pros and Cons
- "We find the initial implementation process to be quick and easy."
- "The technical support needs to be improved."
What is our primary use case?
The solution is mainly used for personal tasks. A lot of the customers are working with Microsoft solutions. This product works well with Microsoft. That's why we provide the Microsoft Windows Server solution to a lot of our customers.
What is most valuable?
The solution is very stable.
The scalability has been good.
We find the initial implementation process to be quick and easy.
The interface is good.
We've found the level of security to be fine.
What needs improvement?
The technical support needs to be improved.
For how long have I used the solution?
I've been using the solution for eight years. It's been a while. I've used it for almost a decade.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
The solution is stable. There are no bugs or glitches and it doesn't crash or freeze. It's reliable.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
The solution is very scalable. If a company needs to expand it, it can do so. It's not a problem.
We only have about 14 people on the solution currently.
How are customer service and technical support?
Microsoft technical support isn't ideal. They could improve their services. We're not 100% satisfied.
They could be faster, more knowledgeable, and more customer-friendly. They need to provide more direct answers.
How was the initial setup?
The installation process isn't too difficult. It's fairly straightforward.
The deployment is fast and only takes about three or four hours or so. It doesn't take long.
In my organization, we have eight people that can handle deployment or maintenance tasks.
What about the implementation team?
As integrators, we can set up the solution for our clients. I can handle a deployment myself. It's not overly complex.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
Customers do need to pay a yearly licensing fee.
What other advice do I have?
I work with both the on-premises and cloud deployment models.
We're an integrator.
I'd rate the solution at an eight out of ten. We're pretty happy with its capabilities.
That said, in Thailand, they do not sell many Windows Servers, so it's difficult to use the product, Windows Server, a lot.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Integrator
Buyer's Guide
Windows Server
October 2024
Learn what your peers think about Windows Server. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: October 2024.
816,406 professionals have used our research since 2012.
Senior Digital Services Engineer at a pharma/biotech company with 1,001-5,000 employees
User-friendly with good scalability and offers multiple deployment methods
Pros and Cons
- "The solution is very user-friendly."
- "The solution needs more integration capabilities."
What is our primary use case?
The product is primarily used for applications, data storage, and communications. We also use it for the directory.
What is most valuable?
The solution is very user-friendly.
The scalability is very good.
You can deploy the solution either on the cloud or on-premises.
What needs improvement?
The solution needs more integration capabilities.
For how long have I used the solution?
I've been using the solution for 15 years at this point. It's been well over a decade. I've used it for a long time.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
The scalability of the solution is good. It's not a problem to expand it.
Likely the entire company is using the solution, however, I cannot speak to exact numbers that are on the solution right now.
How are customer service and technical support?
I've never been in touch with technical support in the past. I cannot speak to how helpful or responsive they are.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
We did not previously use a different operating system.
How was the initial setup?
I wasn't a part of the installation process. I can't speak to how straightforward or complex it was.
We have 12 to 15 team members that can handle deployment and maintenance tasks. There are a manager, an admin, and engineers.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
I don't handle the licensing costs. I don't have any visibility as to how much the company pays for licenses.
What other advice do I have?
We use multiple deployment models, including on-premises and cloud.
I'm not sure which version of the solution we're using.
I'd recommend using the solution to other companies.
I'd rate the solution at an eight out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Sr Reporter at a media company with 201-500 employees
Good support, stable, easy to use, and easy to install
Pros and Cons
- "Windows server is easy to use."
- "Windows Server needs to introduce more dashboards."
What is our primary use case?
We use this solution as our server application. Several applications are based on this operating system.
What is most valuable?
Windows server is easy to use.
What needs improvement?
Windows Server needs to introduce more dashboards.
A common user is not able to implement this solution. It could be simplified.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using Windows Server for a couple of years.
We are using version 2019.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
Windows Server is stable. I have no issues with the stability of the Windows Server.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
We have 45 servers in our organization.
How are customer service and technical support?
Technical support is good. We have no issues with the support of Microsoft.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
We did not use any other solution.
How was the initial setup?
It is quick and easy to install.
The installation can take up to 45 minutes.
All technical people in our organization need to install Windows Server. Any IT engineer can deploy this solution. However, it cannot be set up by a regular user.
What about the implementation team?
I completed the installation myself.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
There is a licensing fee that is paid yearly.
It is an expensive solution.
What other advice do I have?
I would recommend this solution to others who are interested in using it.
It is very popular, I would rate Windows Server a ten out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
GM: Information Systems at a logistics company with 501-1,000 employees
User friendly and compatible with other solutions
Pros and Cons
- "The features that I have found most valuable are its ease of use and the compatibility with most other products."
- "I would definitely like to see bolting monitoring tools. To monitor the server you usually have to install third party tools. I would like to be less reliant on third-party tools. They always create some sort of security issue regarding ports that need to be opened, that type of thing. Windows Server has internally monitorable software but remote monitoring software would be a great add-on."
What is our primary use case?
We are using Windows Server on virtual machines running off-premise.
This operating system for business can be useful for personal documents or any daily or routine stuff.
What is most valuable?
The features that I have found most valuable are its ease of use and the compatibility with most other products.
What needs improvement?
I would definitely like to see bolting monitoring tools. To monitor the server you usually have to install third party tools. I would like to be less reliant on third-party tools. They always create some sort of security issue regarding ports that need to be opened, that type of thing. Windows Server has internally monitorable software but remote monitoring software would be a great add-on.
In the next version I would like to see monitoring tools or maybe an easier way to figure out who were the last people that were working on the server, something that gives me better insights into the actions taken by different users who need to access the server. Our server is definitely not for everybody to access, but even if it had logging installed or activated, it's quite difficult to figure out who did what.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using Windows Server for a couple of years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
It is a stable solution.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
Windows Server is definitely scalable.
We have 200 users using it in the network.
How was the initial setup?
I was not part of the initial setup, I'm not part of the technical team. But I know from the people who did install it that it was quite easy.
What other advice do I have?
On a scale of one to ten I would give Windows Server a nine.
I would recommend Windows Server for users who want to start using it.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Lead Solutions Architect - International Projects at a media company with 501-1,000 employees
Scalable, easy to install and best used for Microsoft applications
Pros and Cons
- "The solution is scalable."
- "The solution is less stable than Linux."
What is our primary use case?
We have an asset management system from a vendor that requires Windows Server. That's where the old content of customers is being stored.
What is most valuable?
The solution is perfect for Microsoft applications.
The stability is okay.
The solution is scalable.
The installation process is easy.
What needs improvement?
I don't like it. However, I'm forced to use it, due to the applications, or the vendor supply, that need to run on it. Many of the applications only support Windows Server.
The solution is less stable than Linux.
For how long have I used the solution?
We've used the solution for a while. We use it constantly.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
The solution is pretty stable. There are no bugs or glitches. It doesn't crash or freeze. It's pretty reliable. That said, Linux is even more reliable.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
The solution can scale. If a company needs to expand it, it can do so easily.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
We also use Linux. We're 50% Linux, 50% Windows.
How was the initial setup?
The installation process is very straightforward. It's very easy. It's not too complex. A company shouldn't have any problems handling the process.
What other advice do I have?
We use various versions of the solution, including 2008, 2012, 2016, and 2019.
We're a service provider. I have colleagues who are MSP-certified. They are the consultants to our customers.
I'd rate the solution at a seven out of ten. it's okay. However, it's not my first choice. I find Linux, for example, more stable.
I would only recommend the solution to a user if they really needed to use it for specific applications. I would not advise it if you needed to install it. I'd only advise it if your application requires Windows. If that's the case, then, of course, you should use it.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Telecommunication Department Head at a energy/utilities company with 1,001-5,000 employees
Stable, scalable, and easy to install
Pros and Cons
- "It is stable and scalable."
- "It is not easy to use. It can be more user-friendly to make our routine work a bit easy. It could also be cheaper."
What is our primary use case?
We use it for a system that we have in our company. We are using Windows Server 2016.
What is most valuable?
It is stable and scalable.
What needs improvement?
It is not easy to use. It can be more user-friendly to make our routine work a bit easy.
It could also be cheaper.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using this solution for four or five years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
It is stable.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
It is scalable. We have around 1,000 users.
How are customer service and technical support?
Support is handled by another department.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
We didn't use any other solution.
How was the initial setup?
I didn't handle its installation, but based on what I know, it was easy to install.
What about the implementation team?
We install and maintain it with the help of another team in our company. They have three engineers for deployment and maintenance.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
It could be cheaper. Its licensing is on a yearly basis.
What other advice do I have?
I would recommend this solution. I would rate Windows Server an eight out of ten.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Software Engineer at a tech services company with 1,001-5,000 employees
Easy to use, simple to set up, and scales well
Pros and Cons
- "The scalability it offers is great."
- "Sometimes we face some overload on the server."
What is our primary use case?
We have the product that my team works on and we need to, for example, deploy the solution on running servers. That way, the client can access it and the QAs in our team could test it.
Also, we have some database servers other than the Windows Server. We use it for servers - indicators for better pages for better performance. We create the databases actually.
What is most valuable?
The remote session is really helpful due to the fact that we are using Windows on our machines. You can access the remote session easily on that server. There's also the database management tool that we use to run queries and show a relational database check. If there is some problem with the data we can see it.
It's good for performance testing on the actual app.
The scalability it offers is great. We can upgrade for the internal services. If we want to increase storage, or our clients do, the solution can accommodate that.
Overall it's really easy to use. It's like using Windows, yet with many other features.
The initial setup is very easy.
What needs improvement?
Sometimes we face some overload on servers. You need to request one of the IT to assist as there is no way that you can do a remote session on it. They need to intervene directly on the server. It has to be done manually. We also can't intervene ourselves as there is no way to log in remotely to the servers. That's why IT needs to get involved. It's a pain point for us as all you can really do is wait.
In a future release, it would be helpful if there were more tools to help us do some performance testing. The last time we needed to look for tools online and choose some third-party tools to analyze how the application is performing. If they could instead provide us with pre-installed tools, that would be better. There are some but they don't really give you the information that we are looking for.
For how long have I used the solution?
We've been using the solution for the last 12 months. We use it pretty much daily.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
The stability is good. It's extremely reliable. We are using it in both the development phase and in production whenever we have a release for a client. It doesn't crash or freeze. There are no bugs or glitches.
It also provides multiple metrics that help us supervise the overall performance of the server based on data collected over the lifetime.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
For my own team, from our own premise, there are more than a hundred users at any given time on the solution. Sometimes there could be multiple deployments on one server.
We do have plans to increase usage. It comes with a variety of good features and it's quite useful to us.
How are customer service and technical support?
I haven't personally worked with technical support in any capacity. However, I have colleagues that have opened tickets and they don't have any complaints. They are helpful and reliable when dealing with our team.
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup was straightforward. There are some requests from the clients to use HTTPS and therefore we needed to test some certificates. The documentation thing for Amazon or Microsoft is really detailed at the center. It's easy to find the details you need.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
We do have a license from Microsoft.
I can't speak to how the subscription works however it's my understanding that it's paid yearly due to the fact that it's a large-scale scheme.
What other advice do I have?
We are just a customer and an end-user.
We have servers deployed within the company's headquarters right here in Tunis which we use for internal purposes. For other clients, it's deployed in other data centers, and they have access to them from our company.
I'd recommend this solution to other companies and users. There are some clients that require this particular server and there are some older solutions that require deployment on a Windows Server. That said, we've moved to .net code to support both Microsoft and Linux.
I'd rate the solution at an eight out of ten.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
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