Windows Server 2016 (Updated Feb 2018) (x64) - DVD (English) .rar: Features, Benefits, and Tips for Your Server
Windows Server 2016 (Updated Feb 2018) (x64) - DVD (English) .rar: What Is It and How to Use It?
If you are looking for a reliable, secure, and versatile operating system for your server, you might want to consider Windows Server 2016. This is the latest version of Microsoft's server operating system, which offers many features and benefits for different server roles and scenarios. In this article, we will explain what Windows Server 2016 is, what a .rar file format is, how to download and install Windows Server 2016 from a .rar file, how to update and patch Windows Server 2016, and how to optimize its performance and security.
Windows Server 2016 (Updated Feb 2018) (x64) - DVD (English) .rar
What Is Windows Server 2016?
Windows Server 2016 is the successor of Windows Server 2012 R2, which was released in October 2016. It is based on the same core as Windows 10, but with additional features and enhancements that are designed for server environments. Some of the key features of Windows Server 2016 include:
Features and Benefits of Windows Server 2016
Hyper-V: This is the virtualization technology that allows you to create and run virtual machines on your server. Hyper-V in Windows Server 2016 has improved performance, scalability, security, and management capabilities. For example, you can use Hyper-V to create shielded virtual machines, which are protected from unauthorized access or tampering by the host or fabric. You can also use Hyper-V to create containers, which are isolated environments that can run applications without affecting the host or other containers.
Storage: This is the feature that enables you to store and manage data on your server. Storage in Windows Server 2016 has several innovations that improve availability, efficiency, and performance. For example, you can use Storage Spaces Direct to create a software-defined storage solution that uses local disks on multiple servers to form a clustered pool of storage. You can also use Storage Replica to replicate data synchronously or asynchronously between servers or clusters for disaster recovery.
Networking: This is the feature that enables you to connect your server to other devices and networks. Networking in Windows Server 2016 has several enhancements that improve speed, flexibility, and security. For example, you can use Software Defined Networking (SDN) to create and manage virtual networks that are isolated from the physical network. You can also use Datacenter Firewall to apply granular firewall policies to virtual machines and network segments.
Identity and Access: This is the feature that enables you to control who can access your server and what they can do. Identity and Access in Windows Server 2016 has several improvements that enhance security and compliance. For example, you can use Privileged Access Management (PAM) to grant temporary privileges to users or groups for specific tasks or resources. You can also use Credential Guard to protect domain credentials from being stolen by malware or hackers. You can also use Just Enough Administration (JEA) to limit the administrative privileges of users or groups to the minimum required for their tasks.
Remote Desktop Services (RDS): This is the feature that enables you to access and use your server remotely from any device. RDS in Windows Server 2016 has several enhancements that improve user experience, scalability, and security. For example, you can use RemoteFX to deliver high-quality graphics and audio over low-bandwidth networks. You can also use Azure Active Directory (AAD) to authenticate and authorize users for accessing RDS resources.
Nano Server: This is a new deployment option for Windows Server 2016 that offers a minimal footprint and faster performance. Nano Server is a headless, lightweight, and cloud-optimized version of Windows Server that runs only the essential components and services. It is ideal for scenarios such as Hyper-V host, container host, or cloud service host. Nano Server can be managed remotely using PowerShell or Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI).
These are just some of the features and benefits of Windows Server 2016. You can learn more about them and other features on the official website or the documentation.
Editions and Servicing Options of Windows Server 2016
Windows Server 2016 comes in different editions and servicing options to suit different needs and preferences. The main editions are:
Datacenter: This is the most comprehensive and expensive edition of Windows Server 2016. It includes all the features and capabilities of Windows Server 2016, such as unlimited virtualization rights, storage features, networking features, shielded virtual machines, and Nano Server. It is designed for highly virtualized and cloud environments.
Standard: This is the most common and affordable edition of Windows Server 2016. It includes most of the features and capabilities of Windows Server 2016, except for some advanced storage features, networking features, shielded virtual machines, and Nano Server. It allows up to two virtual instances per license. It is designed for physical or minimally virtualized environments.
Essentials: This is the simplest and cheapest edition of Windows Server 2016. It includes only the basic features and capabilities of Windows Server 2016, such as file and print services, domain services, web services, remote access services, and RDS. It allows up to 25 users and 50 devices per license. It is designed for small businesses with up to 50 employees.
The main servicing options are:
Long-Term Servicing Channel (LTSC): This is the traditional servicing option for Windows Server 2016. It provides five years of mainstream support and five years of extended support for each release. It receives only security and quality updates, but no new features or functionality. It is suitable for stable and predictable workloads that require a long-term commitment.
Semi-Annual Channel (SAC): This is the new servicing option for Windows Server 2016. It provides 18 months of support for each release. It receives security, quality, and feature updates every six months. It is suitable for agile and innovative workloads that require a fast pace of change.
You can choose the edition and servicing option that best fits your needs and budget. You can also switch between servicing options if you have Software Assurance, which is a subscription that provides additional benefits such as access to new versions, technical support, training, and more.
What Is a .rar File Format?
A .rar file format is a type of compressed file format that is used to reduce the size of files or folders by removing redundant or unnecessary data. A .rar file format can also be used to split large files into smaller parts or to encrypt files with a password. A .rar file format is created by using a software program called WinRAR, which is one of the most popular compression tools in the world.
Advantages and Disadvantages of .rar File Format
A .rar file format has several advantages and disadvantages compared to other compressed file formats such as .zip or .7z. Some of the advantages are:
High compression ratio: A .rar file format can achieve a higher compression ratio than other compressed file formats, which means it can reduce the size of files or folders more effectively. This can save disk space, bandwidth, and time when transferring or storing files.
Multivolume support: A .rar file format can support splitting large files into multiple volumes, which can be easier to handle and transport. For example, you can split a 10 GB file into 10 parts of 1 GB each, and then compress each part into a .rar file. You can also merge the parts back into the original file by using WinRAR.
Password protection: A .rar file format can support encrypting files with a password, which can prevent unauthorized access or modification. For example, you can protect your confidential or sensitive files with a strong password and then compress them into a .rar file. You can also decrypt the files by entering the correct password when extracting them.
Some of the disadvantages are:
Compatibility issues: A .rar file format may not be compatible with some software programs or devices that do not support it. For example, you may not be able to open or extract a .rar file on your smartphone or tablet without installing a third-party app. You may also encounter errors or corruption when transferring or storing a .rar file on some platforms or media.
Recovery issues: A .rar file format may not be easy to recover or repair if it is damaged or corrupted due to various reasons such as virus infection, power failure, disk failure, or human error. For example, you may not be able to extract or access the files inside a .rar file if it is incomplete or broken. You may also lose some or all of the data if the .rar file is encrypted and you forget the password.
Therefore, you should weigh the pros and cons of using a .rar file format before deciding whether to use it or not. You should also backup your important files regularly and use reliable software and hardware to avoid data loss or damage.
How to Extract .rar Files on Different Platforms
If you want to extract or open the files inside a .rar file, you need to use a software program that can handle this type of compressed file format. There are many software programs that can do this, but one of the most popular and widely used ones is WinRAR, which is available for Windows, Linux, and Mac OS. Here are the steps to extract .rar files on different platforms using WinRAR:
Windows
Download and install WinRAR from the official website or another trusted source.
Locate the .rar file that you want to extract and right-click on it.
Select "Extract Here" to extract the files to the same folder as the .rar file, or select "Extract To" to choose a different destination folder.
Wait for the extraction process to finish and then access the extracted files.
Linux
Download and install WinRAR from the official website or another trusted source.
Open a terminal window and navigate to the folder where the .rar file is located.
Type "unrar x filename.rar" (without quotes) and press Enter, where filename.rar is the name of the .rar file that you want to extract. This will extract the files to the same folder as the .rar file.
If you want to extract the files to a different destination folder, type "unrar x filename.rar /path/to/destination/folder" (without quotes) and press Enter, where /path/to/destination/folder is the full path of the folder where you want to extract the files.
Wait for the extraction process to finish and then access the extracted files.
Mac OS
Download and install WinRAR from the official website or another trusted source.
Locate the .rar file that you want to extract and double-click on it.
This will launch WinRAR and show you the contents of the .rar file.
Select all or some of the files that you want to extract and click on "Extract To" at the top of the WinRAR window.
Choose a destination folder where you want to extract the files and click on "OK".
Wait for the extraction process to finish and then access the extracted files.
You can also use other software programs that can extract .rar files on different platforms, such as 7-Zip, PeaZip, The Unarchiver, etc. However, WinRAR is one of the most reliable and compatible ones, especially for Windows Server 2016 files.
How to Download and Install Windows Server 2016 from a .rar File
If you want to download and install Windows Server 2016 from a .rar file, you need to have a valid license key and a DVD or USB drive that can store the installation files. You also need to have a computer that meets the minimum requirements for running Windows Server 2016. Here are the steps to download and install Windows Server 2016 from a .rar file:
Requirements and Precautions for Installing Windows Server 2016
Before you download and install Windows Server 2016 from a .rar file, you should check the following requirements and precautions:
License key: You need to have a valid license key for the edition of Windows Server 2016 that you want to install. You can purchase a license key from Microsoft or an authorized reseller, or use a trial key that is valid for 180 days. You will need to enter the license key during the installation process or after the installation is complete.
DVD or USB drive: You need to have a DVD or USB drive that has enough space to store the installation files. The size of the installation files depends on the edition of Windows Server 2016 that you want to install, but it is usually around 5 GB. You will need to format the DVD or USB drive as NTFS and make it bootable using a software program such as Rufus or WinToUSB.
Computer: You need to have a computer that meets the minimum requirements for running Windows Server 2016. The minimum requirements are:
Processor: 1.4 GHz 64-bit processor
Memory: 512 MB (2 GB for Server with Desktop Experience installation option)
Disk space: 32 GB
Network adapter: Gigabit Ethernet adapter
Display: Super VGA (1024 x 768) or higher-resolution monitor
Keyboard and mouse (or other compatible pointing device)
Internet access (fees may apply)
Backup: You should backup your important data and settings before installing Windows Server 2016, as the installation process may erase or overwrite them. You can use a software program such as EaseUS Todo Backup or Acronis True Image to backup your data and settings to another location.
Compatibility: You should check the compatibility of your hardware and software with Windows Server 2016 before installing it, as some of them may not work properly or at all with the new operating system. You can use a software program such as Microsoft Assessment and Planning Toolkit or Microsoft Compatibility Center to check the compatibility of your hardware and software with Windows Server 2016.
Once you have checked the requirements and precautions, you can proceed to download and install Windows Server 2016 from a .rar file.
Steps to Download and Install Windows Server 2016 from a .rar File
The steps to download and install Windows Server 2016 from a .rar file are:
Download the .rar file: You can download the .rar file that contains the installation files for Windows Server 2016 from various sources, such as Microsoft's website, torrent sites, or file-sharing sites. However, you should be careful about the source and the content of the .rar file, as some of them may be fake, corrupted, or infected with malware. You should also verify the integrity and authenticity of the .rar file by checking its hash value or digital signature.
Extract the .rar file: You can extract the .rar file that contains the installation files for Windows Server 2016 using a software program such as WinRAR, as explained in the previous section. You should extract the .rar file to a folder on your computer or directly to your DVD or USB drive.
Create a bootable DVD or USB drive: You can create a bootable DVD or USB drive that contains the installation files for Windows Server 2016 using a software program such as Rufus or WinToUSB, as explained in the previous section. You should select the appropriate settings for your DVD or USB drive, such as partition scheme, file system, cluster size, etc. You should also select the ISO image file that is extracted from the .rar file as the source of the bootable DVD or USB drive.
Boot from the bootable DVD or USB drive: You can boot from the bootable DVD or USB drive that contains the installation files for Windows Server 2016 by changing the boot order in your computer's BIOS or UEFI settings. You should select the DVD or USB drive as the first boot device and save the changes. Then, you should restart your computer and follow the instructions on the screen.
Install Windows Server 2016: You can install Windows Server 2016 from the bootable DVD or USB drive by following the steps of the installation wizard. You should select the language, time, currency, keyboard, and other preferences. You should also enter the license key for the edition of Windows Server 2016 that you want to install. You should also choose the installation type, either upgrade or custom. If you choose custom, you should select the disk partition where you want to install Windows Server 2016 and format it if necessary. You should also choose the installation option, either Server Core or Server with Desktop Experience. Then, you should wait for the installation process to complete and restart your computer.
Configure Windows Server 2016: You can configure Windows Server 2016 after the installation is complete by following the steps of the initial configuration wizard. You should set a password for the administrator account and change it regularly. You should also configure the network settings, such as IP address, subnet mask, gateway, DNS, etc. You should also join a domain or create a workgroup if necessary. You should also activate Windows Server 2016 using your license key or a KMS server. You should also update Windows Server 2016 using Windows Update or WSUS. You should also install any additional roles or features that you need using Server Manager or PowerShell.
Congratulations! You have successfully downloaded and installed Windows Server 2016 from a .rar file. You can now use your server for various purposes and scenarios.
How to Update and Patch Windows Server 2016
Updating and patching Windows Server 2016 is an essential task that you should perform regularly to keep your server secure, stable, and efficient. Updating and patching Windows Server 2016 can fix bugs, vulnerabilities, and performance issues, as well as add new features and functionality. Here are some tips on how to update and patch Windows Server 2016:
Why Updating and Patching Windows Server 2016 Is Important
Updating and patching Windows Server 2016 is important for several reasons, such as:
Security: Updating and patching Windows Server 2016 can protect your server from malicious attacks that exploit known or unknown vulnerabilities in the operating system or its components. For example, updating and patching Windows Server 2016 can prevent ransomware, malware, denial-of-service, or data breach incidents that can compromise your server's confidentiality, integrity, or availability.
Stability: Updating and patching Windows Server 2016 can improve your server's reliability and availability by fixing bugs or errors that cause crashes, freezes, hangs, or blue screens. For example, updating and patching Windows Server 2016 can prevent system failur