Windows 10: Difference between Semi-Annual Channel and Semi-Annual Channel (targeted) in regards to...

Paul Rittman · Oct 11, 2018

I have never had a problem with updates to my Win 10 laptop, 2 years now. But I have decided to have these updates installed a bit later. Instead of simply delaying my updates for a month, and then turning them back on manually, I think it would be better to simply move my update channel. I have been on the Semi Annual Channel, and would like to move to the Semiannual Channel (targeted). That would still deliver updates, but later, correct?

Also, in regards to the recent cumulative update (I must be the only one who hasn't had a computer goofed up by it)--have users on the Targeted update channel had it delivered yet?

:)

Brink · Oct 13, 2018

Windows Semi-Annual Channel and Targeted Deployment

As you may have already seen on the Windows Experience blog, yesterday we announced that the Windows 10 Creators Update is ready for broad deployment. Additionally, we announced a transition from the Current Branch (CB) and Current Branch for Business (CBB) model of Windows releases to a more predictable, twice-yearly release cadence called the Semi-Annual Channel. With the Semi-Annual Channel, each year we are targeting the release of two Windows Feature Updates, one in March and the other in September, each of which with an 18-month servicing timeline. You can read more about this new Semi-Annual Channel at the Windows for IT Pros blog in Windows as a service: Simplified and Aligned.

Along with this change comes some new terminology, specifically the terms targeted and broad deployment. While these terms roughly correspond with the CB and CBB nomenclature that we've used in the past, they are not an exact translation of these terms and are defined a little differently:

Targeted deployment refers to the phase immediately following the release of a new Windows version when it is recommended to conduct your organization's piloting process and to begin deployments to select devices, such as those with the most modern chipsets and capabilities. Surface devices make excellent candidates for these targeted deployments.

Broad deployment refers to the phase that follows targeted deployment, where your organizations' pilots and targeted deployments have provided successful feedback and Windows has been vetted for deployment to most or all of your organization's devices.

You can read about these new terms and recommended deployment practices in the updated Update Windows 10 in the enterprisesection of Windows Docs, or, for a five-minute video overview, see the Microsoft Mechanics video.

Where does Surface fit into this process?

Surface devices make excellent candidates for piloting and targeted deployments. The modern form factor, chipsets, and Microsoft-tested and approved environment make Surface devices the logical choice for your first wave of deployments in the targeted phase. You'll also find the latest features and capabilities of Windows on Surface first, like the integration of power management with the Power Slider on Creators Update found first on Surface Pro and Surface Laptop and now available on Surface Pro 4.

New devices also make excellent candidates during the targeted deployment timeframe, especially if your organization's purchase of new hardware aligns with the targeted phase. Not only will these new devices feature the latest chipsets, features, and capabilities, but deploying the latest Windows version to your newest devices helps to eliminate duplication of effort. It makes far more sense to deploy once, with the latest build of Windows, than to deploy your new devices with your organization's standard image for broad deployment, resulting in the need to redeploy those devices again when your organization makes the move to a newer version of Windows.

Visit the Surface IT Center to learn more about Surface devices and the IT practices and tools that make Surface the right choice for business.
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Source: The Windows Semi-Annual Channel and Targeted Deployment Surface

cereberus · Oct 13, 2018

Windows Semi-Annual Channel and Targeted Deployment

This is a nice paragraph from link below which sums it up very clearly.

Windows as a service: Simplified and Aligned Windows for IT Pros

As part of the alignment with Windows 10 and Office 365 ProPlus, we are also adopting common terminology to make it as easy as possible to understand the servicing process. The two most important terms to understand:

Semi-Annual Channel. These are the twice-per-year feature update releases, targeting March and September, designed for the broad population of general-purpose PCs used throughout organizations. Each of these releases will be serviced for 18 months from the date of release. (The Semi-Annual Channel replaces the Current Branch [CB] and Current Branch for Business [CBB] concepts.)
Long-Term Servicing Channel. These are less frequent releases, expected every 2-3 years (with the next one expected in 2019), designed for special-purpose PCs such as those used in point-of-sale systems or controlling factory or medical equipment. Each of these releases will be serviced for 10 years from the date of release. (The Long-Term Servicing Channel replaces the Long-Term Servicing Branch [LTSB].)

Brink · Oct 13, 2018

Windows Server version 1803 Semi-Annual Channel update

UPDATE: Windows Server, version 1803 will be generally available for Software Assurance customers on May 7, 2018. You can access the VLSC portal on that date to download the bits.

Last week we announced that Windows Server 2019, the next release in the Long-Term Servicing Channel (LTSC), will be generally available in the second half of calendar year 2018. Today, we would like to give you an overview of the next Semi-Annual Channel release.

Long-Term Servicing Channel and Semi-Annual Channel

In September 2017, we released Windows Server version 1709, the first release in the Semi-Annual Channel. The Semi-Annual Channel has a faster release cadence and addresses feedback from many of you who want faster innovation every few months. This complements the Long-Term Servicing Channel where the release cadence is every 2-3 years.

After the launch of Windows Server version 1709, we learned more from our customers and partners about how they were using the Semi-Annual Channel release. Based on telemetry and feedback that we received from the Windows Insiders program and production deployments, we learned that the Semi-Annual Channel is ideal for modern applications and innovation scenarios such as containers and micro-services while LTSC is the preferred release for core infrastructure scenarios such as software-defined datacenter and hyper-converged infrastructure (HCI). Based on this insight, moving forward, we’re focusing our efforts on specific scenarios for Semi-Annual Channel and LTSC as follows:

[table][tr][td][/td] [td]Long-Term Servicing Channel[/td] [td]Semi-Annual Channel[/td] [/tr] [tr][td]Recommended scenarios[/td] [td]General purpose file servers, first and third-party workloads, traditional apps, infrastructure roles, software-defined Datacenter, and Hyper-converged infrastructure[/td] [td]Containerized applications, container hosts, and application scenarios benefiting from faster innovation[/td] [/tr] [tr][td]New releases[/td] [td]Every 2–3 years[/td] [td]Every 6 months[/td] [/tr] [tr][td]Support[/td] [td]5 years of Mainstream support + 5 years of Extended support[/td] [td]18 months[/td] [/tr] [tr][td]Editions[/td] [td]All available Windows Server editions[/td] [td]Standard and Datacenter editions[/td] [/tr] [tr][td]Who can use[/td] [td]All customers through all channels[/td] [td]Software Assurance and cloud customers only[/td] [/tr] [tr][td]Installationoptions[/td] [td]Server Core and Server with Desktop Experience[/td] [td]Server Core for container host and image and Nano Server container image[/td] [/tr] [/table]

LTSC and Semi-Annual Channel carry an equal amount of importance to us. We will continue to listen to our customers and partners and build features and functionality in the two releases that fit the adoption pattern of our customers.

Windows Server, version 1803 – the next Semi-Annual Channel release

We are excited to tell you that the next version in the Semi-Annual Channel, Windows Server, version 1803, will be available soon. The Semi-Annual Channel enables us to drive rapid innovation and evolution through the full operating system and software stack which is vital to the success of solutions like Docker, Kubernetes, and Service Fabric.

Below are a few features that we are excited about in Windows Server, version 1803. You may have already experienced these in the Windows Insider Program:

Server Core container images: We reduced the Server Core base container image by 30% from Windows Server, version 1709 and improved application compatibility – that will help customers containerizing existing applications.

Curl.exe, Tar.exe, and SSH support: Support for such tools will complement PowerShell for building and debugging scenarios.

Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL): WSL has enabled server administrators to use existing tools and scripts from Linux on Windows Server. Many improvements showcased in the command line blog are now part of Windows Server including Background tasks, DriveFS, WSLPath, and much more.

Container networking enhancements: We added localhost and http proxy support while also improving container scalability and startup time.

Kubernetes journey: Working with-in and alongside the Kubernetes community, we enabled more of the Kubernetes feature set and ecosystem such as the following:

Addition of two storage plugins enabling persistent storage for Windows containers orchestrated by Kubernetes.

Cloud scale networking though initiatives like our partnership with Tigera on Project Calico support.

Windows platform support for Hyper-V isolated Pods (supporting multiple containers per Pod) which enhances container isolation and security in Kubernetes environments.

Figure 1: Kubernetes managing a Windows Server, version 1803 container host

We have more coming to Windows Server, version 1803 and you can check all the new features added to the preview builds in the Insiders space in the Windows Server Tech Community.

You can try it all today!

The good news is that you can try both, the next Semi-Annual Channel and the next LTSC release right now. Windows Server, version 1803 preview and Windows Server 2019 preview are available through the Insiders program. Don’t forget to give us feedback through the Windows Feedback Hub app.

Frequently asked questions

Q: When will Windows Server, version 1803 will be generally available?
A: Windows Server, version 1803 will be available in the first half of calendar year 2018. We’ll share the general availability (GA) date soon.

Q: Will HCI and SDDC features be available in the Semi-Annual Channel release?
A: The Semi-Annual Channel releases will focus on modern application platform and other innovation scenarios such as containers and micro-services. While some infrastructure roles, such as Hyper-V, may be available, the full range of HCI and SDDC scenarios will be the focus of the LTSC channel and not the Semi-Annual Channel. Windows Server 2016, the latest LTSC release, is the recommended version today for Storage Spaces Direct and HCI scenarios. You can also check the Windows Server Software Defined (WSSD) program for validated designs.

Q: Do I have to wait for Windows Server 2019 to test new infrastructure roles, Storage Spaces Direct, SDDC scenarios?
A: No. The preview for Windows Server 2019, the next LTSC release, is already available through the Windows Insiders program.
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Source: Windows Server Semi-Annual Channel update Windows Server Blog

Windows 10: Difference between Semi-Annual Channel and Semi-Annual Channel (targeted) in regards to...

Difference between Semi-Annual Channel and Semi-Annual Channel (targeted) in regards to...

Difference between Semi-Annual Channel and Semi-Annual Channel (targeted) in regards to...

Difference between Semi-Annual Channel and Semi-Annual Channel (targeted) in regards to...

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