There is a new installation option in Windows Server 2016, called Nano Server. It is a completely headless (NO GUI), remotely administered OS optimized for private clouds and datacenters. It is very similar to Core Server but much smaller without logon capability. Nano server supports ONLY 64-bit applications. It has 93% smaller VHD size, 92% fewer critical bulletins and 80% fewer required reboots. A smaller OS results in fewer operating system components to maintain with less security exposures than the current Windows Server operating system.

We can install it as a Hyper-V host, DNS server, web server running (IIS), host for applications which we run in a container or VM guest OS etc. We will take a look on Nano Server packages and options later in this course.

Nano Server cannot serve as an domain controller, no gpo support (we can use Desired State Configuration instead) , no dpm or sccm support.

I will walk you through a complete Nano server deployment both on physical computer and in a VM machine. We will start by installing it on a physical computer and than move forward with configuration.

I will use Nano server which I will install on my physical server as a Hyper-V host for VMs.

Content at a glance

  1. Nano Server Image Builder (Create Nano server image for physical computer)
  2. How to Deploy Nano Server as a Virtual Machine
  3. Nano Server Recovery Console & Remote Management
  4. How to Implement Packages (Roles and Features) on Nano Server
  5. How To Update Nano Server (Win Upd) & How to update Package Provider
  6. Nano Server Helpful Tips