Microsoft is diligently working on Windows 10 but at the Redmond based company, there is also a much more powerful OS being built that will power the enterprise and beyond called Windows Server. While we have not heard too much about the next version of that platform, that changes today thanks to a leaked slide deck.
Microsoft is creating a new headless deployment option for Windows Server called "Nano Server." The company is saying that Nano Server will be the nucleus of the next-gen cloud infrastructure and applications.
Nano Server is a headless deployment option for Windows Server with a deep refactoring focus on CloudOS infrastructure, cloud applications, and containers. The idea is that Nano Server will have a zero footprint model with roles and optional features living outside of the platform. It will support Hyper-V, Clustering, Core CLR, ASP.Net vNext, PaaSv2 and more.
The goal for Nano Server is to eliminate the need to ever sit in front of a server with access to remote management/automation via Core PowerShell and WMI. Powershell Web Access is available for running cmdlets on the end-node from anywhere in the world.
If all of this makes sense to you and you would like to see the entire slide deck, hit the link below but note that it leads to a Russian website, meaning you probably should not view it on your corporate network.
If you are wondering when it will arrive, Microsoft says that TAP customers will get access to the feature in 2015 but it will not be part of the next Windows Server release. However, it will be part of the release following the next release, so you should be able to get your hands on Nano Server in the next several months.
Check out the full set of slides Here.