Your Network Solution
Windows 2008 Server – What Does it Mean for Your Business?
In March, Microsoft officially released their latest server operating system, Windows Server 2008, the replacement for their successful Windows 2003 server.
Windows 2008 server offers a multitude of new features and capabilities; in fact, this release is the most substantial upgrade to the Windows product line since Windows 2000. But which features are compelling? Which ones are really worth the price of admission?
True 64 bit
Windows 2008 finally establishes the 64-bit operating system. Sure, 64 bit versions have been available for some time, but there have always been “issues” to hold you back. This version works.
Server Manager
Windows 2008 improves administration with a redesigned Server Manager utility. This new tool, which looks similar to Vista’s management tool, makes managing the server much easier and centralized. No need for Control Panel or Administrative tools menus, just a simple menu application where virtually all server functions can be accessed, a great way to simplify the day to day management of systems.
Read-Only Domain controller (RODC)
For many of our clients, we are installing servers in branch offices and other remote locations, and these servers often connect back to the home office using slow or unreliable WAN links. That creates problems with security and authentication processes. With RODC, a server can be set up and configured in the home office, then shipped to the remote location. From then on, only the user names and passwords of local users - and not the administrator account - are located on the remote server. If the machine is taken from the remote location or job site, security for the entire organization is not compromised.
Combine this with the new drive encryption technology included in Windows Server 2008, and you have a great solution for remote offices needing a local server.
Terminal Services
Perhaps one of the biggest changes in Windows Server 2008 comes in the area of Terminal Services. The new RemoteApp functionality allows administrators to remotely deploy individual applications to desktops, instead of the entire desktop environment, which can be confusing to users. The applications download and run on user desktops and, aside from the initial logon dialog box, function and look almost exactly as they would were they installed locally. This is very similar to how Citrix looks and operates.
The new Gateway feature lets us establish remote sessions over a secure web connection, so users can access their remote applications on the road without having to configure a VPN connection. This is particularly useful because VPN connections sometimes can be difficult and complex to set up, whereas directing a browser to a site is sheer simplicity.
Microsoft has also added a feature called Easy Print, which makes it easier to print to local printers from remote sessions and allows seamless copy and paste operations between the host OS and remote sessions. These features greatly reduce the gap in capabilities between Terminal Services and Citrix.
Hyper-V
Microsoft has touted the new Hyper-V technology as one of the key new features of Windows Server 2008. Hyper-V is a new virtualization technology that improves performance when compared to previous versions suh as Virtual Server. While not as proven as offerings from VmWare, Hyper-V is a significant step forward for Microsoft. Furthermore, from a management perspective, Hyper-V is installed and managed as a role under Windows 2008, just like DHCP, file and print services. That means it's easy to configure, manage, and service.
Conclusion
If you have the need to deploy a new server, certainly consider Windows Server 2008. If you purchase your software through Microsoft’s Open License Program (MOLP), you will buy Windows 2008 even if you choose to install Windows Server 2003.
Give Chris (425-284-5410) or any of the network team members a call to discuss your particular application.
