The official release notes do not list out the Windows Server 2019 System Requirements yet. So, we will have to wait and see when we can get the official word from Microsoft.
Wait, What is Windows Server 2019? Microsoft has announced the release of its next iteration of Windows Server, dubbed as Windows Server 2019. The new release comes under the Long Term Servicing Channel or LTSC which comes with full desktop experience and other new features such as shielded Virtual Machines, Offline mode, encrypted traffic between VM’s and more. It is expected to be out in the second half of 2018 with support for Linux workloads and of course containers!
The new Windows Server operating system is also releasing Project Honolulu, a web-based management interface, which is supposed to remove the age-old MMC based management consoles which date back to early 2000’s.
The move to the new admin interface is supposed to ease automation and monitor the overall performance of the system. The current LTSC release is Build 17623 and the ISO is available to download for anyone who’s signed up for the Windows Insiders program.
Since this is in a preview, do not try to perform any existing in-place upgrades. It is recommended that you spin-up a fresh new VM or use a spare server to test this out.
Windows Server 2019 System Requirements
For Windows Server 2019, we are still recommending the existing 2016 system requirements, till we get the official information.
Processor requirements:
- A minimum of 1.4 GHz 64-bit EMT64 or AMD64 processor. Quad Core Recommended for production systems.
- Support for security features like NX Bit and DEP (Data Execution Prevention)
- The processor should support CMPXCHG16b, LAHF/SAHF, and PrefetchWNeeds
- Needs to Support EPT or NPT (Second Level Address Translation)
Disk Space:
For Core installation, a minimum Disk Space of 32 GB is required. Additional 4 GB is necessary for GUI installation.
Disk Space Capacity Planning:
Microsoft Support recommends the following:
- 3 times the RAM size limited up to 32 GB. Which means 96 GB (32×3 = 96 GB)
- Additional disk space of 10-12 GB for additional roles and features installed based on server roles. For 32 GB Systems with GUI (96 + 12 = 108 GB)
- Additional 10 GB is required for Windows Updates. So, 108 GB +10 GB = 118 GB for 32 GB Systems.
- 10 GB extra space for miscellaneous files and logs (Perfmon, Server Trace, etc.) (128 GB for 32 GB Systems)
- Any Disk Space requirements for applications that are installed on the OS partition are additional. For example SQL, Exchange, SharePoint MS-CRM, etc.
Disk Controller:
- Needs to be a PCI Express Compliant Disk Controller.
- ATA/PATA/IDE/EIDE are not supported for either boot, page, or data.
RAM (Random Access memory) Requirements:
- 512 MB ECC supported Memory Modules
- 800 MB for VM Installations, post-installation, reduce RAM to 512 MB.
Optional System Requirements Features:
- Support of UEFI 2.3.1c-based system and firmware with support for secure boot
- Trusted Platform Module
- Graphics Accelerator device and monitor, capable of SVGA (1024 x 768) minimum. 1080 p monitors or higher-resolution recommended.
- Input devices such as a Keyboard and Microsoft® mouse (or other compatible pointing devices)
- Internet access to download Windows Updates where the tenant is managing the updates.
Network Requirements:
- Minimum a Gigabit Ethernet adapter with 1 Gbps throughput.
- Needs to be PCI Express Compliant hardware.
- Support for Pre-boot Execution Environment (PXE). As you may know, Wireless Devices cannot be used to boot from the network.
Once we get the full details, we will update this post with more information.