Seeking Advice: Optimizing OVH VPS Setup for Windows Server Upgrades and Docker Configurations

naas1201

Hi Folks! Hope you're all doing well and gearing up for Black Friday.

Setup Overview:
I’m running two VPS servers with OVH's KLS-C in the Canada data center:

One SSD VPS and One HDD VPS
Current Services:
Here's what I have set up on my servers:

Nextcloud
Jellyfin
WordPress sites (mostly static content)
Ticketing system (using UVdesk, but considering alternatives)
Moodle
Storage Allocation:
My plan is to use the SSD instance for everything except Nextcloud, which will run on the HDD to handle storage better. For Jellyfin, I'm torn between SSD and HDD; my clients are in Manila with a 200 ms ping, so I’m concerned about performance if I store Jellyfin on the HDD, as it could degrade service quality, especially for my top users.

Part 1: Upgrade from Windows Server 2019 to 2022
I currently run Windows Server 2019 on one of my KLS-C VPS servers with OVH, but I’d like to upgrade to Windows Server 2022. A clean install would be fine, but OVH doesn’t provide a Windows Server 2022 image. I know it’s possible to boot into rescue mode and install an ISO, but my attempt yesterday didn’t go as planned – entirely my own fault, not the instance's.

Today, I found that I could "upgrade" directly from Windows Server 2019 to 2022 (or maybe even take a risk with 2025?). Here’s what I think the steps are:

Ensure system requirements are met (should be fine).
Download the Windows Server 2022 ISO onto the instance.
Mount the ISO.
Run the upgrade.
Success?
My main concern is whether this upgrade process will fully utilize the hardware after the upgrade. Am I misunderstanding anything, or is there anything specific I should be aware of to ensure optimal performance?

Part 2: Docker
I’m new to Docker and still learning. I understand it’s generally better suited for Linux, and I did try it on a Linux Server 22 setup, which worked well, but the lack of a GUI was a struggle for me. I even installed NoMachine on Linux thinking I’d get a GUI – let’s just say, lesson learned!

When I discovered Docker could be installed on Windows, I quickly set it up on Windows Server 2019 with OVH, only to realize it integrates better with Windows 10 and 11. On Windows Server, I’d need to use Docker CE, which doesn’t have a GUI. So I’m stuck because I actually prefer Windows Server over Windows 10/11 for VPS, especially for running applications like Jellyfin and Nextcloud.

My approach to new tech is “try it all, understand it later,” so my instinct is to stay with Windows Server for these applications on a VPS in Canada. However, if there's a more effective setup or something I’m missing, I’d really appreciate any advice or insights.

Thanks in advance!