Windows Server 2025 and Active Directory with Orin Thomas
Sep 25, 2024
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Orin Thomas, a Principal Cloud Operations Advocate at Microsoft and author of multiple books on Microsoft technologies, shares insights on Windows Server 2025's impact on Active Directory. He discusses key improvements, like the retirement of NTLM and the importance of upgrading to at least Server 2016 functional level for new security features. Orin also explores innovative certification practices, emphasizing hands-on evaluations that reflect real-world skills. Tune in for a deep dive into modernizing IT infrastructure and enhancing security!
Windows Server 2025 focuses on incremental security and scalability improvements, ensuring organizations can maintain stable infrastructures without drastic changes.
The introduction of Applied Skill Credentials provides practical evaluation methods, helping to address the IT skills gap and enhance workforce readiness.
Deep dives
Windows Server 2025: A Reliable Infrastructure
Windows Server 2025 is designed for reliability and ease of management, serving as a foundational technology for organizations across various sectors. It emphasizes a steady, incremental approach to improvements, particularly in security and scalability, rather than revolutionary changes, making it easier for IT departments to maintain and govern. The focus on consistent performance aligns with the growing need for stability in business operations, enabling organizations to prioritize their core functions without constantly worrying about infrastructure volatility. As end-users increasingly expect products like Windows Server to function seamlessly, its evolution reflects the trade-off between innovation and the demand for dependable solutions.
Active Directory's Role in Security
Active Directory (AD) continues to play a critical role as the backbone of identity management for organizations, with enhancements in Windows Server 2025 aimed at improving its security posture. Significant updates include introducing new security protocols and encryption standards that enhance how communication occurs within AD environments. The focus is on encouraging migrations away from older, less secure authentication methods like NTLM in favor of Kerberos, which offers more robust protection. By ensuring that the AD domain controllers are up-to-date and secure, organizations can safeguard their identity infrastructure from potential vulnerabilities.
The Incremental Nature of IT Upgrades
The predictable three-year release cycle of Windows Server versions allows organizations to manage upgrades at a reasonable pace while ensuring that they stay equipped for emerging challenges. This structured approach gives organizations confidence in their infrastructure investments, knowing they can plan for long-term support and predictable upgrades. With the introduction of new features, such as improved local administration tools and managed accounts, the focus remains on enhancing operational efficiency without overwhelming IT teams. This gradual enhancement strategy is particularly appealing to organizations looking to maintain stability while integrating new technologies.
Addressing Skills Gaps in IT Operations
A notable challenge within IT is the skills gap, particularly for newcomers who may not have received adequate training on core infrastructure technologies like Active Directory. Microsoft is addressing this by introducing Applied Skill Credentials, which focus on practical, hands-on exams that assess real-world skills rather than theoretical knowledge alone. This approach benefits aspiring IT professionals by providing a way to demonstrate their competencies, making them more employable and better prepared for the demands of modern IT environments. As the reliance on established technologies continues, ensuring that new professionals are equipped with essential skills is critical for the future of IT operations.
What does Windows Server 2025 bring to Active Directory? Richard chats with Orin Thomas about the new version of Windows Server coming and what to expect around Active Directory. Orin talks about how mature the Windows Server space is, so only incremental improvements are warranted, but they are important ones - like retiring NTLM once and for all. And when it comes to Active Directory, there are new secure features you're going to want, but you do need to up your functional level to get them, and that means getting to at least Server 2016 functional level first... then moving everything else. When was the last time you transferred a FSMO role? Orin also digs into the new certification practice options available, where instead of answering questions, you do the work and get evaluated - cool!