Yes as detailed here
“There will be two primary release channels available to Windows Server customers, the Long-term Servicing Channel, and the new Semi-annual Channel.”
When installing SQL Server the key thing to remember is:
“Windows Server products in the Semi-annual Channel will have new releases available twice a year, in spring and fall. Each release in this channel will be supported for 18 months from the initial release.”
18 months = 1.5 years so not very long and given that SQL Server releases are typically every 2 years, I’m not sure how viable this the new Semi-annual Channel will be for hosting SQL Server. Time will tell.
(source Microsoft)
What is really interesting is that, to me, it appears that Microsoft may have gone from a market leader to a follower, I could be wrong:
- Cloud
- Linux
- Open Source
- Docker
- Git
- Channels
- Core licences
- …