Overview

Windows Server 2003 R2 extends the Windows Server 2003 operating system, providing a more efficient way to manage and control access to local and remote resources while easily integrating into your existing Windows Server 2003 environment. Windows Server 2003 R2 provides a scalable, security-enhanced Web platform, seamless interoperability with UNIX-based systems and enables new scenarios including simplified branch server management, improved identity and access management, and more efficient storage management. Windows Server 2003 R2 Enterprise Edition also delivers dynamic new licensing that allows customers to get even more value out of server virtualization. This page provides an overview of benefits, new features, and improvements in Windows Server 2003 R2. Windows Server 2003 R2 Enterprise, x64 Edition, is well-suited for business-critical applications such as large databases and line-of-business applications, as well as for Terminal Server deployments that use Terminal Server Session Directory.

Main Features

• More centralized management: Provides centralized management tools for file and print functions
• Reduced remote administration: Minimizes local administration and local back up
• Better WAN efficiencies: Enables faster data replication over wide area networks
• Greater user efficiency: Fewer user passwords, for both internal and partner-hosted  applications, through extranet Single Sign-On and identity federation
• Enhanced IT efficiency: Centralized administration of extranet application access, fewer password resets, and the ability to delegate user management to trusted partners
• Better security: Automated shut off of extranet access based on disabling a users Active Directory account
• Better regulatory compliance: Log user access to partner applications in external security domains
• Improved interoperability with heterogeneous systems: Cross-platform Web Single Sign-On and identity federation using Web Services interoperability specifications and tools to manage and dynamically update user accounts and passwords across Windows and UNIX systems using Network Information Service (NIS). Also performs automatic synchronization of passwords between Windows and UNIX operating systems.
• Better storage utilization: Provides storage utilization information through detailed storage reports
• Better quota management: Monitors and controls disk space usage with directory quotas
• Better file screening: Limits types of files allowed on servers with file screening
• Simpler SAN configuration: Easily configures and provisions storage area networks (SANs)
• Better performing web platform:Windows SharePoint Services delivers a cost-effective collaboration solution that can be deployed, configured, and managed quickly
• ASP.NET enables fast development of rich, Dynamic Systems Initiative-ready Web Services and applications using the .NET Framework
• IIS 6.0 delivers a more secure, high-performance Web server
• x64 support enables better performance at lower cost
• Better virtualization value: Windows Server 2003 R2 Enterprise Edition provides better value in server virtualization. Licensing policy changes now allow customers to run up to 4 virtual instances of Windows Server 2003 R2 Enterprise Edition on one licensed physical server or hardware partition
• Enable Cross Platform Management: UNIX administrators can manage both UNIX and Windows systems using many tools, utilities and scripts that you are using today with the Utilities and SDK Web Download, which includes shells and SVR-5 utilities. Windows administrators can use familiar Windows commands to manage UNIX systems, users, permissions and passwords
• Integrate UNIX Applications: The Sub-system for UNIX-based Applications (SUA), is a source-compatibility subsystem for compiling and running custom UNIX-based applications on Windows Server 2003 R2. SUA allows for some parts of a UNIX application to be run on Windows, for instance building a Windows-based Graphical User Interface (GUI) for an existing UNIX-based application
• Migrate UNIX Applications: SUA enables the phased migration of UNIX-based applications by allowing most custom applications to be re-compiled and run natively on Windows. Applications can be converted or re-written one component at a time, without significant end-user downtime or extensive cut-over times

System Requirements

• Hard Disk
  

  4GB.

  
  
• Memory
  

  512MB RAM.

  
  
• Processor
  

  x64 architecture-based computer with Intel 64-bit Xeon.

  
  
• Platform
  

  Windows Server 2003 R2 Enterprise x64.