Microsoft Software Solution Product Guide

Microsoft and Lenovo have been partners for over 25 years. Together we ensure that the latest Microsoft technologies work perfectly with Lenovo ThinkSystem infrastructure and ThinkAgile solutions to provide the most reliable, secure, and high-performing datacenters for our customers. Built with proven Lenovo innovation, Lenovo ThinkSystem servers and ThinkAgile solutions extend Microsoft's operating systems, virtualization technologies, and infrastructure platforms so you can build a highly productive IT environment that can help your business achieve true innovation.

Lenovo has proven experience in developing and delivering Microsoft-based solutions that help customers modernize and simplify their IT infrastructure to dramatically drive down operating costs and open the door to cutting-edge innovations. Built around the latest Lenovo ThinkSystem servers and networking hardware, the Lenovo solution with Microsoft provides businesses with an affordable, interoperable, and reliable industry-leading solution to manage their virtualized workloads.

Lenovo XClarity Integrator integrates Lenovo XClarity Administrator into Microsoft software, providing the functionality you need to manage Lenovo infrastructure right in the console of Microsoft software. Lenovo XClarity Administrator is a centralized resource management solution that reduces complexity, speeds up response, and enhances the availability of Lenovo ThinkSystem infrastructure and ThinkAgile solutions.

Lenovo offers XClarity Integrator for Windows Admin Center, Microsoft Azure Log Analytics and Microsoft System Center. For more information, refer to the Lenovo XClarity Administrator Product Guide, https://lenovopress.com/tips1200-lenovo-xclarity-administrator.

Lenovo offers various types and forms of Microsoft licensing so organizations and partners can leverage best in class Lenovo servers to build agile IT infrastructure that is reliable, secure, and high performing. Choosing a Microsoft OEM license from Lenovo for most customers is the simplest and most cost-effective license. Microsoft licenses from Lenovo are specifically pre-tested and optimized to install on Lenovo servers. Lenovo offers support for all of its Microsoft subscriptions offerings, giving customers a single point of support for their entire datacenter. For OEM licenses support, please ask for support plans to your Lenovo sales representative.

Lenovo holds more world record benchmarks than anyone with SQL Server from Microsoft. Lenovo is the first company to publish a non-clustered TPC-H@10,000GB benchmark performance result running Microsoft SQL Server. Refer to https://lenovopress.com/lp0720-sr950-tpch-benchmark-result-2017-07-11. When you purchase Microsoft SQL Server from Lenovo, you have support and access to the industry-leading Lenovo Engineering team that made this benchmark performance possible.

With co-located engineering organizations and a history of technical collaboration, Microsoft and Lenovo consistently deliver innovative joint solutions for the data center. Lenovo's leadership in reliability, customer satisfaction, and performance, combined with Microsoft’s reputation in software and cloud services, continues to deliver innovative data-center solutions and lower total cost of ownership for our joint customers.

With Lenovo, customers have access to decades of datacenter expertise, industry leading support services and the option to leverage Lenovo consultative, professional, and managed service offerings. Lenovo provides customers with the best solution to generate the business results they are looking to achieve, while leveraging a single partner for all aspects of support and services.

Windows Server editions and licensing

This section describes the editions and licensing for Windows Server:

• Windows Server Licensing
• Core based licensing: Windows Server Standard and Datacenter
• Client Access License (CAL) & Remote Desktop Session (RDS) CAL
• Downgrade rights

Windows Server 2025 is available in the following editions:

• Essentials Edition: ideal for small businesses with up to 25 users and 50 Small companies with basic IT needs purchasing a first server; likely a small or no dedicated IT department. CAL (Client Access Licensing) is not required with this edition. Noted that there is a 10-core max for only one CPU.
• Standard Edition: Ideal for customers with low density or minimally virtualized environments.
• Datacenter Edition: Ideal for highly virtualized and software defined datacenter environments.

* Note: Windows Server 2025 is not available in Storage Edition.

* Some additional or advanced functionality such as Remote Desktop Services or Active Directory Rights Management Services will continue to require the purchase of an additive CAL.

Core based licensing: Windows Server Standard and Datacenter

The licensing of Windows Server 2025 Standard and Datacenter editions based on a per physical processor basis. A minimum of 8 cores per processor and 16 cores total must be licensed. All cores must be licensed, even if user-disabled.
The Base License for the Lenovo OEM Microsoft Windows Server Standard and Datacenter editions will cover up to 16 cores per system. Customers who need to license more than 16 cores can easily do so with Additional Licenses. Additional Licenses are available in 2 core packs and 16 core packs.

• Servers are licensed based on the number of processor cores in the physical server. All physical cores in the server must be licensed.
• A minimum of 16 core licenses is required for each server.
• A minimum of 8 core licenses is required for each physical processor.
• Standard Edition provides rights for up to two Operating System Environments (OSE) or Hyper-V containers when all physical cores in the server are licensed. For every two additional OSEs, all the cores in the server have to be licensed again.
• For more information, please refer to the Lenovo Windows Server Core Licensing Calculator: https://www.lenovosalesportal.com/windows-server-2022-core-licensing-calculator.aspx

Client Access License (CAL) & Remote Desktop Session (RDS) CAL

The Windows Server 2025 licensing model for Standard and Datacenter requires Client Access Licenses (CALs). Each user and/or device accessing a licensed Windows Server Standard or Datacenter edition requires a Windows Server CAL or a Windows Server and a Remote Desktop Services (RDS) CAL.

A Windows Server CAL is required when a user or device is directly or indirectly accessing Windows Server. A Remote Desktop Service (RDS) CAL is also required for users that need to access programs or the full desktop remotely using Remote Desktop Services (RDSs). Both Windows Server CAL (user or device) and RDS CAL (user or device) are required for remote desktop access. RDS CALs contain a product key for activation. As an exception to these rules, up to two users or devices may access the server software, only for server administration purposes, without requiring either a RDS CAL or a Windows Server CAL.

Each user and device that connects to a Remote Desktop Session host needs a client access license (CAL). There are two types of RDS CALs: Device CALs and User CALs.

Each user CAL permits one user, using any device, to access instances of the server software on their licensed servers. Each device CAL permits one device, used by any user, to access instances of the server software on their licensed servers.

The following table outlines the differences between the two types of RDS CALs.

Also refer to the Windows Server Licensing FAQ section below.

For additional details, see: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/licensing/product-licensing/client-access-license.

Downgrade rights

Microsoft Windows Server 2025 includes the optional right to use an earlier version of the software in place of the version you have licensed (e.g., downgrade from Windows Server 2025 to Windows Server 2022) by purchasing an applicable Downgrade Kit for the Server 2025 or Server 2022 version that Lenovo makes available.

Downgrade rights allows you to install an older image version of the OS. The license rules of the purchased version still apply (i.e. Server 2025).

A Lenovo downgrade kit includes the OS installation media of the earlier version of Windows Server and an OS specific product key for activation.

This section provides information on Windows Server 2025 from Lenovo:

• Features
• Feature codes for configure-to-order
• Part numbers for Reseller Option Kits

Windows Server 2025 boasts advanced features that improve security, performance, and flexibility. With faster storage options and the ability to integrate with hybrid cloud environments, managing your infrastructure is now more streamlined. Windows Server 2025 builds on the strong foundation of its predecessor while introducing a range of innovative enhancements to adapt to your needs.

Some of the new Features include:

See a complete list of what’s new in Windows Server 2025 here: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/get-started/whats-new-windows-server-2025

Features

Advanced multi-layer security

For IT professionals, security and compliance are primary concerns. The new security capabilities in Windows Server 2022 combine other security capabilities in Windows Server across multiple areas to provide defense-in-depth protection against advanced threats. Advanced multi-layer security in Windows Server 2022 provides the comprehensive protection that servers need today.

• Hotpatch (preview) is now available to Azure Arc connected Windows Server 2025 machines when enabled in the Azure Arc portal. Hotpatch allows you to apply OS security updates without needing to restart your machine. (Can include an extra cost*) See more about Hotpatching in Windows Server 2025 here.
• Delegated Managed Service Account: This new type of account enables migration from a service account to a delegated Managed Service Account (dMSA). This account type comes with managed and fully randomized keys ensuring minimal application changes while disabling the original service account passwords. To learn more, see Delegated Managed Service Accounts overview.
• Security Baseline: By implementing a customized security baseline, you can establish security measures right from the beginning for your device or VM role based on the recommended security posture. This baseline comes equipped with over 350 preconfigured Windows security settings that enable you to apply and enforce specific security settings that align with the best practices recommended by Microsoft and industry standards. To learn more, see OSConfig overview.

Hyper-V, AI, and performance

• Hyper-V Manager: When you create a new VM through the Hyper-V Manager, Generation 2 is now set as the default option in the New Virtual Machine Wizard.
• GPU Partitioning (GPU-P): GPU partitioning allows you to share a physical GPU device with multiple virtual machines (VMs). Instead of allocating the entire GPU to a single VM, GPU partitioning assigns dedicated fractions of the GPU to each VM. With Hyper-V GPU-P High Availability a GPU-P VM is automatically enabled on another cluster node in the case of unplanned downtime. GPU-P Live Migration provides a solution to move a VM (for planned downtime or load balancing) with GPU-P to another node whether it's standalone or clustered. To learn more about GPU partitioning, see GPU partitioning.
• Dynamic Processor Compatibility is updated to take advantage of new processor capabilities in a clustered environment. Dynamic Processor Compatibility uses the maximum number of processors features available across all servers in a cluster. The mode improves performance compared to the previous version of processor compatibility. Dynamic processor compatibility also allows you to save its state between virtualization hosts that use different generations of processors. Processor compatibility mode now provides enhanced, dynamic capabilities on processors capable of second-level address translation (SLAT). To learn more about the updated compatibility mode, see Dynamic processor compatibility mode.
• NVMe is a new standard for fast solid-state drives (SSDs). NVMe storage performance has been optimized in Windows Server 2025 with improved performance, resulting in an increase in IOPS and decrease in CPU utilization.
• Storage Replica Compression reduces the amount of data transferred over the network during replication. To learn more about compression in Storage Replica, see Storage Replica Overview.
• Storage Replica Enhanced Log help the Storage Replica log implementation to eliminate the performance costs associated with file system abstractions, leading to improved block replication performance. To learn more, see Storage Replica Enhanced Log.
• ReFS native storage deduplication and compression are techniques used to optimize storage efficiency for both static and active workloads such as file servers or virtual desktops. To learn more about ReFS deduplication and compression, see Optimize storage with ReFS deduplication and compression in Azure Local.
• Thin provisioned volumes with Storage Spaces Direct are a way to allocate storage resources more efficiently and avoid costly overallocation by allocating from the pool only when needed in a cluster. You can also convert fixed to thin provisioned volumes. Converting from fixed to thin provisioned volumes returns any unused storage back to the pool for other volumes to use. To learn more about thin provisioned volumes, see Storage thin provisioning.

Windows Server 2025 CTO Feature Codes and Part Numbers

The following tables list the Windows Server 2025 configure-to-order (CTO) Feature Codes and part numbers:

*POS (point of sale) refers to licenses sold at point of original purchase. These are stacked on base licenses when the number of cores or processors exceeds those covered by the base OS license.

Windows Server 2025 ROK Part Numbers

The following table lists the Reseller Option Kit (ROK) part numbers.

Downgrade kits are available at Point of Sale from Lenovo Factory and Business Partners. The provided Lenovo Part Number is orderable by Business Partners / Distributors only.

Windows Server CAL Part Numbers

The following table lists the Reseller CAL part numbers.

Windows Server RDS CAL Part Numbers

The following table lists the Reseller RDS CAL part numbers.

Additional information about licensing.

1. Q: What types of Windows licenses does Lenovo offer?

   A: Lenovo offers OEM licenses for Windows Server, SQL Server as well as the associated CAL products. Please refer to the product list found at: https://dcsc.lenovo.com/#/software.

2. Q: What is the difference between ROK and DIB and Pre-installed offerings?

   A: ROK – the Reseller Option Kit is sold by Lenovo’s authorized resellers and distributors. It is comprised of OS installation media and a MS COA label affixed to the server chassis. Resellers may provide additional OS installation services to the customer.

   DIB (Drop-In-Box) – Lenovo factory direct offering that ships OS installation media and a MS COA label affixed to the server chassis (for customers choosing do-it-yourself installations).

   Pre-installed – Lenovo factory direct offering that ships OS installation media and MS COA label affixed to the server chassis and the OS factory installed in generic fashion onto the server’s mass storage using recent device drivers.

3. Q: How is Windows Server 2022 licensed?

   A: Microsoft is licensing Datacenter and Standard editions by physical processor cores.

   Datacenter Edition provides rights to run unlimited OSEs and unlimited Windows Server containers when all physical cores on the server are licensed.

   Standard Edition provides rights to run up to two OSEs or two Hyper-V containers and unlimited Windows Server containers when all physical cores on the server are licensed.

   With Windows Server Datacenter/Standard:

   • Each physical server is required to be licensed for all physical cores
   • Each physical processor is required to be licensed with a minimum of 8 physical cores
   • Each physical server is required to be licensed with a minimum of two processors, totaling a minimum of 16 physical cores
   • Core licenses are sold in packs of two (that is, a 2-pack Core License)

   Essentials Edition remains on the processor-based licensing starting with the 2022 version may only be used on servers with 1 CPU (the 2019 version of Essentials allowed 1-2CPU)

   To calculate the appropriate core licenses needed for your server, please visit: https://www.lenovosalesportal.com/windows-server-2022-core-licensing-calculator.aspx

4. Q: What are CALs and do I need them?

   A: CALs (Client Access Licenses) are separately purchased licenses that allow Users or Devices to access resources on a licensed Windows Server OS environment.

   Essentials Edition provides support or up to 25 Users; no additional CALs are needed.

   Datacenter and Standard Edition include no CALs as part of the Base license. Customers must purchase User or Device CALs appropriate for their needs.

   >For more detailed information, please reference:
   https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/licensing/product-licensing/client-access-license

5. Q: What is a “Base license” versus an “Additional license”?

   A: The 16 core Datacenter and Standard edition Base licenses provide the minimum OS licensing basis for a physical server. Each server requires at least one Base license.

   Additional core licenses must be purchased depending on the server’s processor configuration.

   To calculate the appropriate core licenses needed for your server, please visit: https://www.lenovosalesportal.com/windows-server-2022-core-licensing-calculator.aspx

6. Q: How are the MS OEM OS licenses delivered?

   A: Base licenses for Datacenter, Standard and Essentials include a Certificate of Authenticity (COA), product key (PK), product software (OS installation DVD), and the Microsoft Software License (formerly known as EULA). Lenovo or Lenovo Resellers will affix the base license COA label to the server chassis (exception being offerings for Windows Server Datacener w/ Reassignment where the COA remains with the SW Shipgroup that contains the OS installation media).

   Additional licenses for Datacenter and Standard include a Certificate of Authenticity (COA), and the Microsoft Software License (formerly known as EULA). The Additional license-COA label is contained affixed to a card in the shrinkwrapped SW Shipgroup (there is no product key included).

   OS-CALs for Datacenter and Standard include a Certificate of Authenticity (COA), and the Microsoft Software License (formerly known as EULA). The CAL-COA label is contained affixed to a card in the shrinkwrapped SW Shipgroup (there is no product key included).

   RDS-CALs for Datacenter and Standard include a Certificate of Authenticity (COA), product key (PK), and the Microsoft Software License (formerly known as EULA). The RDS-COA label is affixed to a card contained in the shrinkwrapped SW Shipgroup (there is a unique 5x5 product key printed on the RDS CAL label).

   Extreme care must be taken to safekeep the provided COA labels (whether they are affixed to the server chassis or contained on the provided SW shipgroup) since there is no way to “reissue” or “replace” these COA labels.

7. Q: Which licenses are available for purchase after point of sale (APOS)?

   A: Currently Microsoft limits the sale of OEM Base OS license offerings for Essentials, Standard and Datacenter editions to “at Point of Sale” (of the server hardware). However, additional licenses for Standard Edition are also available as “APOS” versions to facilitate customer’s changing need for HW upgrades or adding additional VMs.

   Please refer to the product list found at the following page:
   http://dcsc.lenovo.com/#/software

   OS CALs and RDS CALs are available for purchase after point of sale.

8. Q: What are my downgrade rights?

   A: Lenovo offers various “Downgrade” offerings at point of sale. Please refer to the product list found at http://dcsc.lenovo.com/#/software. If you are considering making use of your Downgrade rights, it is recommended to purchase these Downgrade kits at the same time as the server purchase.

   For After Point of Sale Downgrade options, please reference this support page:
   https://support.lenovo.com/us/en/solutions/ht101582

9. Q: Are RDS CALs version specific?

   A: Yes, RDS CALs version must match that of the RDS Host Server’s OS.

   For further information please see:
   https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/remote/remote-desktop-services/rds-client-access-license

10. Q: Are OS CALs version specific?

    A: CALs are only backwards version compatible, e.g. Windows Server 2022 CAL can be used to access Windows Server 2022 and previous versions.

    For further information please see:
    https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/licensing/product-licensing/client-access-license

11. Q: Lenovo provided OS media will not install under VMware ESXi.

    A: When attempting to install Microsoft Windows Server using Lenovo-provided installation media into a virtualized computing environment created by VMware ESXi, the install may fail and an error message similar to this is shown:

    "Please check with your computer manufacturer to resolve any issues you are having with this computer. These tools are built to only run on Lenovo computers. Since this system is not recognized as a valid system, the installation cannot continue."

    Please reference the following solution:
    https://support.lenovo.com/us/en/solutions/HT506366

12. Q: Where is my Activation code?

    A: If your SW offering requires an activation code (see #6), then it is printed on a COA label similar to the one pictured here:

    

    Most OEM Base OS COAs must be adhered to the server chassis, depending on the server chassis, the COA label can be found on the top, or the side chassis (typically adjacent to agency labels):

    

    However, due to space constraints, the COA may also be found on the bottom chassis:

    

    Base OS license products “with reassignment” rights are an exception: its COA is attached to a card that is delivered alongside the server shipment.

    Note that OEM COAs are “tied” to the hardware with which they were originally purchased with and cannot be transferred to another system unless Microsoft Software Assurance is added within 90 days of buying the server or when reassignment rights are specified within the product terms (e.g. included in “ Windows Server 2024, Windows Server 2022, Windows Server 2019 and 2016 Datacenter w/Reassignment Rights” SKU).

    CAL offerings do not include an activation code, their CAL-COA labels are proof of purchase only.

    RDS CAL offerings do include an activation code on their RDS-COA label which is affixed to a card contained in the shrink-wrapped SW Shipgroup.

13. Q: Can I use my OEM activation code on an image installed with Evaluation or Retail OS images?

    A: By Microsoft design, the 25-character activation code (a.k.a. “5x5”) that is printed on the Lenovo OS COA label is designed to only work with OS installations that were performed using the provided Lenovo installation media.

    However, Microsoft has published an unsupported method for license conversion which is provided here for additional reference:
    https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/get-started/supported-upgrade-paths#converting-a-current-evaluation-version-to-a-current-retail-version

    Please note that Lenovo is not able to assist with such license conversion workarounds.

14. Q: The activation code on my COA label is damaged.

    A: Should the 25-character activation code on the COA label become illegible please contact Lenovo Data Center support at https://datacentersupport.lenovo.com/us/en/supportphonelist and reference the “Damaged COA Replacement Process”.

    Note: This process requires a digital picture of the damaged COA to start the replacement process that Lenovo will engage in with Microsoft. Lenovo cannot “replace” or “reissue” COA labels that have been lost.

15. Q: I lost my OS installation media or my media is defective.

    A: Lenovo offers replacement of the Lenovo branded OS installation media should it be lost or becomes defective. Please contact Lenovo Data Center Support at: https://datacentersupport.lenovo.com/us/en/supportphonelist

16. Q: Can I reassign a Lenovo OEM Licenses in the case of new hardware or a disaster recovery scenario?

    A: Lenovo does offer a Datacenter license that includes reassignment rights, which can be reassigned to a new server every 90 days; in the same manner as volume licensing. Lenovo also offers Datacenter and Standard OEM licenses which are more cost effective, and do not have reassignment rights. Should the customer purchase one of these licenses and require reassignment rights they would need to purchase Software Assurance from a Microsoft volume license reseller.

    Note: Software Assurance must be purchased within 90 days of the OEM product and can only be applied to the most recent form of the OS.

Lenovo offers the following types of licenses for SQL Server 2022 Standard Edition:

• CTO (Configure To Order): OEM license that is added to the Lenovo server shipment at manufacturing.
  • “Core based” (No SQL CALs required)
  • “Server + CAL based” (SQL CALs required)
• ROK (Reseller Option Kit): Sold by Lenovo’s authorized resellers and distributors. SQL Server 2022 is offered as a bundled offering with a Windows Server OS such as Windows Server 2022 Standard (16 Core) or Datacenter (16 Core)
  • “Server + CAL based” (SQL CALs required)

Note: Both Windows CALs and SQL Server CALs need to be considered. Client Access Licenses (CALs) can be per-user or per-device.

Each user CAL permits one user, using any device, to access instances of the server software on their licensed servers. Each device CAL permits one device, used by any user, to access instances of the server software on their licensed servers.

Note that the maximum compute capacity for SQL standard is 4 sockets / 24 physical or virtual cores and 128 GB Memory for DB engines. As such, please take this into consideration during configuration of the server hardware.

If the users / devices connecting to the database are large and unknown, Core based licenses should be considered. For Customer environments with a known number of user/ devices, Server + CAL licensing is recommended. The SQL CALs should be chosen based on the users/ devices connecting to database.

This section provides information on SQL Server 2022 Standard Edition from Lenovo:

• Features
• Feature codes for configure-to-order
• Part numbers for Reseller Option Kits

Features

Learn more about SQL Server 2022 Standard Edition features on this page: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/sql/sql-server/editions-and-components-of-sql-server-2022?view=sql-server-ver15

SQL Server 2022 Standard Edition CTO Feature Codes

The following tables list the configure-to-order (CTO) feature codes to order SQL Server 2022.

Please, check on the Country/Geo and the language to identify the part that best suite you.

SQL Server Standard Edition 2022 Downgrade Kit includes installation material for SQL 2019 as well as SQL 2017.

SQL Server 2022 Standard Edition ROK Part Numbers

The following tables list the Reseller Option Kit (ROK) part numbers to order SQL Server 2022.

The Lenovo Server Operating System Interoperability Guide (OSIG) is a comprehensive source of information about operating system compatibility with Lenovo servers. It includes servers in the ThinkSystem, ThinkAgile, System x, ThinkServer, NeXtScale, Flex System and BladeCenter product families and covers servers that are currently supported by Lenovo under warranty.

For more information, please visit the OSIG page: http://lenovopress.com/osig. Use the dropdown menus to filter and finetune your search. In each of the search results, the support statement column contains clickable links that open a popup window with details about the support.

For Lenovo option compatibility, the Lenovo ServerProven® program validates selected products for compatibility with all Lenovo ThinkSystem servers. Through the ServerProven Program, Lenovo works with industry leaders to test their equipment with Lenovo products.

For compatibility information, please visit: http://static.lenovo.com/us/en/serverproven/index.shtml. For more details, please click on the Lenovo product. For compatibility with OS, please click on the green + button to expand the section.

Lenovo XClarity Integrator enables XClarity Administrator to integrate into your existing IT applications, providing the functionality you need to manage Lenovo infrastructure right in the console of the software tools that you already use. XClarity Administrator is a centralized resource management solution that reduces complexity, speeds response, and enhances the availability of Lenovo ThinkSystem infrastructure and ThinkAgile solutions.

For more information on XClarity Administrator, visit:
https://lenovopress.com/tips1200-lenovo-xclarity-administrator

XClarity Integrator for Microsoft System Center

Lenovo XClarity Integrator for Microsoft System Center expands Microsoft System Center server management capabilities by integrating Lenovo hardware management functionality, providing affordable, basic management of physical and virtual environments to reduce the time and effort required for routine system administration.

Lenovo XClarity Integrator integrates with the following Microsoft System Center tools:

• Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager
• Microsoft System Center Operations Manager
• Microsoft System Center Virtual Machine Manager
• Microsoft Admin Center

Download XClarity Integrator for Microsoft System Center from: https://support.lenovo.com/us/en/solutions/lnvo-manage

XClarity Integrator for Windows Admin Center

Lenovo XClarity Integrator for Windows Admin allows you to manage your Lenovo infrastructure from the console of Windows Admin Center. Windows Admin Center is a locally deployed, browser-based app for managing servers, clusters, hyper-converged infrastructure, and Windows 10 PCs.

The Windows Admin Center is a free download separate from Windows Server 2022, available from Microsoft:
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/manage/windows-admin-center/understand/windows-admin-center

Download XClarity Integrator for Windows Admin Center from:
https://support.lenovo.com/us/en/solutions/HT507549

XClarity Integrator for Microsoft Azure Analytics

Lenovo XClarity Integrator for Microsoft Azure Log Analytics lets you analyze events from Lenovo XClarity Administrator and the devices that it manages. These insights can help systems administrators find potential problems in their environment.

Download XClarity Integrator for Microsoft Azure Analytics from:
https://support.lenovo.com/us/en/solutions/ht506712

Lenovo’s Enterprise Server Software Support (ESS) service provides comprehensive, single-source support for a wide range of server operating systems and Microsoft server applications. Lenovo provides 24x7x365 service for critical problems, and support during business hours for noncritical problems.

For more information, see the following web page:
https://support.lenovo.com/us/en/solutions/ht504357

Lenovo offers a broad range of Microsoft based solutions in varying levels of integration to meet different customer requirements and business needs. Solutions range from the turnkey factory-integrated, pre-configured ready-to-go Lenovo ThinkAgile SX series of appliances to build-your-own Engineered Solutions based on Lenovo’s proven reference architecture and everything in between.

ThinkAgile MX Certified Nodes

Storage Spaces Direct is a feature of Windows Server 2016, 2019 and 2022 Datacenter Editions, provided at no extra cost and can be used to build a Hyper-Converged Storage solution. It also supports “Disaggregated Mode”, with no available VM’s, to create a Software Defined Storage environment.

Storage Spaces Direct is software defined storage, using pre-validated Lenovo server configurations with local‐attached drives to create software‐defined storage at a fraction of the cost of traditional SAN or NAS arrays. Its converged or hyper-converged architecture radically simplifies procurement and deployment, while features such as caching, storage tiers, and erasure coding, together with the latest hardware innovations such as RDMA networking and NVMe drives, deliver unrivaled efficiency and performance.

Storage Spaces Direct is included in 2022 Datacenter Editions.

ThinkAgile MX Certified nodes combine the Microsoft Storage Spaces Direct technology included in Windows Server 2022 Datacenter with industry leading Lenovo servers to give HCI building blocks to build your infrastructure solutions. ThinkAgile MX Certified Nodes are designed for deploying highly available, highly scalable hyper-converged infrastructure (HCI) and software-defined storage (SDS) from Microsoft on Lenovo enterprise platforms.

ThinkAgile MX Certified Nodes are built on industry-leading Lenovo ThinkSystem servers that feature enterprise-class reliability, management, and security. The ThinkAgile MX Certified Nodes offer ThinkAgile Advantage Single Point of Support for quick 24/7 problem reporting and resolution. The ThinkAgile MX Certified Nodes can be optimized for various types of workloads, including general purpose workloads for small and medium businesses, virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI), server virtualization, enterprise applications, databases, and data analytics.

Related links:

• ThinkAgile MX Product page
• ThinkAgile MX3520 Appliances and MX 2U Certified Nodes (Intel Xeon SP Gen 2)
• ThinkAgile MX3530 and MX3531 2U Appliances and Certified Nodes (Intel Xeon SP Gen 3)
• ThinkAgile MX3330 and MX3331 1U Appliances and Certified Nodes (Intel Xeon SP Gen 3)
• ThinkAgile MX1020 appliances and MX1021 Certified Nodes for Microsoft Azure Local
• ThinkAgile MX Datasheet
• ThinkAgile MX 3D Tour

With benefits like IT agility, lower TCO, and a transformative customer experience, ThinkAgile SX for Microsoft Azure Stack provides the ease and speed of a public cloud with the security and control of on-premises IT. There is no need to worry about configuring and tweaking settings for virtual or physical infrastructure. Your IT personnel can now focus more on building proficiencies in deploying and operating cloud services—such as IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS—and less on your infrastructure.

ThinkAgile SX for Microsoft Azure Stack is the perfect platform to:

• Deliver Azure cloud services from the security of your own data center
• Enable rapid development and iteration of applications with on-premises deployment tools to help transform your organization
• Unify application development across your entire hybrid cloud environment
• Easily move applications and data across private and public clouds

Related links:

• ThinkAgile SX for Microsoft Azure Stack Product Page
• ThinkAgile SX for Microsoft Azure Stack Hub (SXM4400, SXM6400 – Xeon SP Gen2) Product guide
• ThinkAgile SX for Microsoft Azure Stack Datasheet
• Introducing the Microsoft Azure Stack Development Kit on Lenovo Servers
• ThinkAgile SX for Microsoft Azure Stack 3D Tour

Lenovo Database Solutions for Microsoft SQL Server bring together the right mix of technology and software to align with a range of data warehouse and transactional database use cases. The configurations integrate a variety of Lenovo Systems and appliances, robust Lenovo Storage options and the capabilities of Microsoft SQL Server 2019 Enterprise and Standard Editions to provide the following benefits:

• Improved time to value with pretested hardware configurations
• Optimized SQL server deployment with a significant reduction in hardware testing and tuning
• Reduced total cost of ownership through better price and performance, rapid deployment, and advanced hardware
• Consolidated storage and matched IT investment-to-information-value with several high-performance storage options

Lenovo ThinkSystem based Microsoft OLAP Database Solutions:

• Lenovo Database Performance Benchmarks
• Lenovo Database Solution for Microsoft SQL Server
• Lenovo Database Solution for Microsoft SQL Server RA
• Lenovo Database Configuration for Microsoft SQL DWFT – 65 TB HA
• Lenovo Database Configuration for Microsoft SQL DWFT – 200 TB

Lenovo Database Validated Design for Microsoft SQL Server OLTP on ThinkAgile HX:

• Workloads using Lenovo ThinkAgile HX Series

The following sales training courses are offered for employees and partners (login required). Courses are listed in date order.

1. VTT: Cloud Architecture & Edge VTTs - ThinkAgile MX for Edge and Azure Services August 2024
   2024-09-04 | 60 minutes | Employees Only
   Details
   VTT: Cloud Architecture & Edge VTTs - ThinkAgile MX for Edge and Azure Services August 2024
   
   

   Description: Join our Microsoft and Lenovo panel to learn how combining Azure, Lenovo hardware and Professional Services can optimize ThinkAgile MX for your customer’s business.
   
   Speaker Panel:
   Meena Gowdar, Microsoft Senior Director of Product Management
   Inbal Sagiv, Microsoft Principal Product Manager Leader
   Dr. Jeff Esposito, Lenovo Enterprise Architect, SSG
   Jay Bryant, Lenovo Principal Architect, ISG Software and Solutions Development

   Published: 2024-09-04
   Length: 60 minutes
   

   Start the training:
   Employee link: Grow@Lenovo
   

   Course code: DVCLD215
2. Partner Technical Webinar - Latest on Azure Stack HCI and ThinkAgile MX
   2024-07-01 | 60 minutes | Employees and Partners
   Details
   Partner Technical Webinar - Latest on Azure Stack HCI and ThinkAgile MX
   
   

   In this 60-minute replay, Phil Searles discussed the Thinkagile MX455 and delivered a REPEAT to the very popular Azure Shack HCI. Phil and Amit also shared some announcements such as the ThinkAgile MX450/5, Premier, and OEM skus.

   Published: 2024-07-01
   Length: 60 minutes
   

   Start the training:
   Employee link: Grow@Lenovo
   Partner link: Lenovo Partner Learning
   

   Course code: 06282024
3. Think AI Weekly: Lenovo AI PCs & AI Workstations
   2024-05-23 | 60 minutes | Employees Only
   Details
   Think AI Weekly: Lenovo AI PCs & AI Workstations
   
   

   Join Mike Leach, Sr. Manager, Workstations Solutions and Pooja Sathe, Director Commercial AI PCs as they discuss why Lenovo AI Developer Workstations and AI PCs are the most powerful, where they fit into the device to cloud ecosystem, and this week’s Microsoft announcement, Copilot+PC

   Published: 2024-05-23
   Length: 60 minutes
   

   Start the training:
   Employee link: Grow@Lenovo
   

   Course code: DTAIW105
4. VTT Cloud Architecture: ThinkAgile MX - Latest Premier Solutions, AI, from Cloud to Edge, and AVD
   2024-03-12 | 75 minutes | Employees Only
   Details
   VTT Cloud Architecture: ThinkAgile MX - Latest Premier Solutions, AI, from Cloud to Edge, and AVD
   
   

   Join Amit Kulkarni, Adam Mandelbloom (Lenovo), and distinguished Microsoft speakers for an exclusive VTT call centered around the Lenovo ThinkAgile MX. Amidst the evolving landscape of technology, Artificial Intelligence stands as a pivotal discussion point, often finding its application at the edge. Explore firsthand how Lenovo and Microsoft navigate these challenges with their compelling edge-to-cloud solutions. Journey into the realm of AVD (Azure Virtual Desktop) and its pivotal role in reshaping the paradigms of remote work.
   Introducing Microsoft Premier Solutions, witness firsthand how it stands apart in its approach, offering unparalleled support and expertise to empower an organization's digital journey.
   Furthermore, gain invaluable insights into the nuances between Azure Stack HCI 22H2 and 23H2. Our experts will dissect the differences and elucidate the implications for your infrastructure strategy.
   Join us for an enlightening session where industry leaders converge to explore the forefront of innovation and chart a course for digital transformation. Don't miss out on this opportunity to gain a competitive edge in today's rapidly evolving landscape.

   Published: 2024-03-12
   Length: 75 minutes
   

   Start the training:
   Employee link: Grow@Lenovo
   

   Course code: DVCLD210
5. A Lenovo Seller's Journey in the Cloud Space - Clarifying Your Customer's Challenge
   2024-01-03 | 20 minutes | Employees and Partners
   Details
   A Lenovo Seller's Journey in the Cloud Space - Clarifying Your Customer's Challenge
   
   

   The intention of this learning module is to provide suggestions and guidance for those first customer conversations after the opportunity has been initially identified. In this simulation, the Seller’s objective is to learn about the business and qualify the business gap.
   
   After completing this course, you will be able to:
   • Verify the customer business need
   • Guide the customer conversation to qualify and confirm the business gap
   • Determine next steps to progress the sale

   Published: 2024-01-03
   Length: 20 minutes
   

   Start the training:
   Employee link: Grow@Lenovo
   Partner link: Lenovo Partner Learning
   

   Course code: DCLDB217r2
6. Gaining Insight to Lenovo Cloud Solutions Customers - Practical Scenario
   2024-01-03 | 20 minutes | Employees and Partners
   Details
   Gaining Insight to Lenovo Cloud Solutions Customers - Practical Scenario
   
   

   In this course we are going to explore a productive sequence of questions to gather information about the customer’s business, business processes, and data flow to help position related Lenovo Cloud Solutions.
   
   This course aims to help Lenovo and Partner Sellers identify customers' business landscape in relation to their intended and/or current IT Cloud eco-system.
   
   Completing this learning content will enable you to:
   • Ask questions to uncover your customer's business operations and IT landscape
   • Assess and identify possible opportunities for Lenovo Cloud Solutions and Services
   • Identify the next step to progress the conversation with the customer

   Published: 2024-01-03
   Length: 20 minutes
   

   Start the training:
   Employee link: Grow@Lenovo
   Partner link: Lenovo Partner Learning
   

   Course code: DCLDO115r2
7. Gaining Insight to Lenovo Cloud Solutions Customers
   2024-01-03 | 25 minutes | Employees and Partners
   Details
   Gaining Insight to Lenovo Cloud Solutions Customers
   
   

   In this course we are going to explore how to start the conversation about customer's business and technology.
   
   This course aims to provide the Lenovo and Partner sellers with the foundation to ask fundamental questions about customers’ business and technology to help position related Lenovo Cloud Solutions.
   
   After completing this training, you will be able to:
   • Ask fundamental questions about your customers' business
   • Ask fundamental questions about your customers' technology
   • Understand what a company needs to consider to execute a cloud strategy

   Published: 2024-01-03
   Length: 25 minutes
   

   Start the training:
   Employee link: Grow@Lenovo
   Partner link: Lenovo Partner Learning
   

   Course code: DCLDO114r2
8. The Basics of Cloud Computing
   2024-01-03 | 20 minutes | Employees and Partners
   Details
   The Basics of Cloud Computing
   
   

   As the first course in the ISG Cloud Solutions curriculum, it goes all-out to help Lenovo and Partner General/Technical sellers by providing the foundational information regarding the cloud technology.
   
   This course aims to increase the seller's ability to articulate basic cloud technology concepts and help position related Lenovo Solutions and services.

   Published: 2024-01-03
   Length: 20 minutes
   

   Start the training:
   Employee link: Grow@Lenovo
   Partner link: Lenovo Partner Learning
   

   Course code: DCLDO111r2
9. Azure Services
   2023-11-03 | 50 minutes | Employees and Partners
   Details
   Azure Services
   
   

   This course covers Azure services in some detail. It consists of five videos with a total runtime of around 48 minutes. Azure includes three products that are associated with business continuity: Azure Backup, Azure Site Recovery, and Azure File Sync. These are each discussed in a comprehensive and instructive video. This course also includes videos that discuss Azure IaaS and VMs and explain Azure Cloud Services offerings.
   
   By the end of this course, you should be able to:
   
   
   - Review the three products that are associated with business continuity
   - Azure Backup, Azure Site Recovery, and Azure File Sync
   - Discuss the Azure Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) and Virtual Machines (VMs)
   - Explain the Azure Cloud Services offerings

   Published: 2023-11-03
   Length: 50 minutes
   

   Start the training:
   Employee link: Grow@Lenovo
   Partner link: Lenovo Partner Learning
   

   Course code: SXTW1109
10. Azure Pricing Model
    2023-11-03 | 10 minutes | Employees and Partners
    Details
    Azure Pricing Model
    
    

    This course consists of a single video, “Pricing Model”. The course covers the currencies used for metering usage, comparisons of Azure costs to those of competitors, and different metering and payment options.
    
    By the end of this training, you will be able to:
    
    - Review the different Azure metering and payment options
    - Compare Azure costs to those of competitors

    Published: 2023-11-03
    Length: 10 minutes
    

    Start the training:
    Employee link: Grow@Lenovo
    Partner link: Lenovo Partner Learning
    

    Course code: SXTW1111
11. Lenovo Solutions Supporting Microsoft Business Continuity Services
    2023-02-01 | 30 minutes | Employees and Partners
    Details
    Lenovo Solutions Supporting Microsoft Business Continuity Services
    
    

    This training aims to build familiarity with Lenovo Microsoft solutions for BCDR (Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery) and the relevance of Lenovo Cloud Marketplace, Azure Backup and Azure Site Recovery.
    
    Completing this course will enable the sellers to:
    • Describe Lenovo Solutions supporting Microsoft Business Continuity Services
    • Identify customers who would benefit from Azure Backup and Azure Site Recovery
    • Start the Business Continuity conversation
    • Start the customer conversation.

    Published: 2023-02-01
    Length: 30 minutes
    

    Start the training:
    Employee link: Grow@Lenovo
    Partner link: Lenovo Partner Learning
    

    Course code: DMSO200
12. Lenovo and Microsoft Cloud Solution Provider Program - Overview
    2022-10-27 | 30 minutes | Employees and Partners
    Details
    Lenovo and Microsoft Cloud Solution Provider Program - Overview
    
    

    This course aims to provide ISG and Partner Inside and Field Sellers with an understanding of the role of Lenovo as a Microsoft Cloud Service Provider (MS CSP) and Azure Services.
    
    Completing this course will enable the sellers to:
    • Describe the Microsoft Cloud Services program
    • Discuss Lenovo's role in MS CSP Program
    • Identify customers who would benefit by purchasing Azure Services from Lenovo
    • Start the customer conversation.

    Published: 2022-10-27
    Length: 30 minutes
    

    Start the training:
    Employee link: Grow@Lenovo
    Partner link: Lenovo Partner Learning
    

    Course code: DMSO100
13. New Lenovo Optimized Solutions
    2022-09-16 | 3 minutes | Employees and Partners
    Details
    New Lenovo Optimized Solutions
    
    

    This Quck Hit introduces four new Lenovo Optimized Infrastructure solutions. Three of these are ThinkAgile solutions for Microsoft Azure, in the areas of artificial intelligence, business continuity, and virtual desktop infrastructure. The fourth is a TruScale solution designed for HPC data centers.

    Published: 2022-09-16
    Length: 3 minutes
    

    Start the training:
    Employee link: Grow@Lenovo
    Partner link: Lenovo Partner Learning
    

    Course code: SXXW2507a
14. Microsoft CSP Solutions Preview
    2022-09-16 | 7 minutes | Employees and Partners
    Details
    Microsoft CSP Solutions Preview
    
    

    This Quick Hit introduces three new CSP offerings: Microsoft CSP Azure Virtual Desktop Solutions, Microsoft CSP Azure SQL Server AI and Data Insights Solution, and Microsoft CSP Business Continuity Solutions.

    Published: 2022-09-16
    Length: 7 minutes
    

    Start the training:
    Employee link: Grow@Lenovo
    Partner link: Lenovo Partner Learning
    

    Course code: SXXW2508a

These web pages provide additional information:

• Microsoft OS Support Center
• Microsoft Windows Server Catalog