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What's in a name? Apparently Microsoft believes there is much to be gained from shifting the name of its flagship operating system from Windows NT to Windows 2000 and then to Windows Server 2003. Since NT stood for "new technology," the 2000 moniker seemed to herald a new millennium of computing. Windows Server 2003 is designed to take on the brave new world of Internet services. In development, the client and server versions were code named Whistler. By the time of release and despite common architectural structure, Microsoft decided to launch the client and server product lines with different names. The client versions inherited the Windows XP name to underscore what Microsoft hoped would equate to a new user eXPerience. The Windows Server 2003 line's designation underscores its Internet readiness. In renaming Windows XP and Windows .NET, the company has created a family of OS products that addresses the entire market from desktop to the largest enterprise. Table 1.1 compares the Windows NT and Windows Server 2003 product lines.
Until the release of Windows XP, Microsoft's client software was divided into two radically different architectures. Windows 3.x and Windows 9x operating systems were based on MS-DOS with a graphical front end. The last iteration of the MS-DOS operating system was the marginally successful Windows Millennium Edition. While Windows ME had a short shelf life, a few new design features, such as expanded device support, found their way into Windows XP. With Windows XP, support for MS-DOS ends. By contrast, Windows NT and Windows 2000 Professional were the first client operating systems based on the Windows NT kernel. Windows XP exploits Windows 2000 Professional with two editions...one designed for home use and one for business and small workgroup environments. Microsoft's promotion of Windows XP has centered on the cleaner user interface, which reduces clutter and expands usability. In addition, Windows XP makes significant leaps in interconnectivity, multimedia support, security, general system stability, and Help functions. Although this book focuses on the server versions, Windows XP's enhanced features are noted as they relate to administration. For a list of Windows XP's specific features, see Microsoft's Web site.
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Windows Server 2003 |
Windows 2000 |
Windows NT Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
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Windows XP |
Windows 2000 Professional |
Windows NT Workstation |
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Windows Server 2003, Web Edition |
No equivalent |
No equivalent |
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Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition |
Windows 2000 Server |
Windows NT Server |
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Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition |
Windows 2000 Advanced Server |
Windows NT Server EE |
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Windows Server 2003, Datacenter Edition |
Windows 2000 Datacenter Server |
No equivalent |
The new addition to the Windows operating system server family is Windows Server 2003, Web Edition. Given Microsoft's commitment to Internet readiness, this is a functionally focused Web server, as the name implies. It does not include many of the common features, like Active Directory, that other Windows Server 2003 servers provide. However, it is specifically optimized as a platform for Web services and hosting. With .NET Framework components like the innovative ASP.NET feature, the sharing of application services in a Web environment becomes possible. The Windows Server 2003, Web Edition facilitates the development and deployment of XML-based services and applications.
Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition refocuses the previous Windows 2000 Server version to address everyday organizational needs such as sharing files and printers and secured Internet connectivity. Like its predecessor, this version is designed for smaller client/server environments, but can manage a moderately complex organization. In system administrator terms, this server is best for an extended LAN and small WAN infrastructure, such as an enterprise that comprises a central office of modest size and several remote branch offices. Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition supports two-way symmetric multiprocessing (SMP) and up to 4 GB of memory.
Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition expands the core of networking and Internet functionality for medium and large enterprises. It is the default general business server operating system. Specifically designed for multidepartment use, it is equally well suited as an applications server and for e-commerce transactions. Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition supports up to 32 GB of main memory—a significant advance over the 8-GB limitation of Windows 2000. It also supports eight-way SMP and four-node clustering with enhanced load-balancing applications. Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition ships in either 32-bit or 64-bit versions.
Windows 2000 Datacenter was Microsoft's first entry designed to seriously compete in the heavy iron marketplace of the enterprise. Windows Server 2003, Datacenter Edition provides yet greater availability, especially for mission-critical solutions. The crown jewel of Microsoft's server line, it supports 32 SMP and eight-node clustering. This product is also available in 32-bit and 64-bit versions. Table 1.2 offers a comparison of features available with Windows Server 2003.
Table 1.3 provides a quick reference for system requirements for each of the Windows Server 2003 platforms. In practical terms, the minimum requirements are woefully inadequate. The recommended levels should be regarded as a practical target.
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Feature |
Web Edition |
Standard Edition |
Enterprise Edition |
Datacenter Edition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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.NET Framework |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
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Internet Information Services (IIS) 6.0 |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
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ASP .NET |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
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UDDI Services |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
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Clustering Load Balancing |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
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Cluster Services |
No |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
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VPN Support |
Partial |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
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Session Initiation Protocol Service (SIP) |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
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IAS Internet Authentication Service |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
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Network Bridge |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
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Internet Connection Share |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
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Active Directory |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
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Metadirectory Services |
No |
No |
Yes |
No |
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Distributed File System |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
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Shadow Copy Restore |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
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SharePoint Team Services |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
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Removable/Remote Storage |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
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Fax Services |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
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Services for Macintosh |
No |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
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IntelliMirror |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
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Resultant Set Policy |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
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WMI Command Line |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
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Remote OS |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
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Remote Install Services |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
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Internet Connection Firewall |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
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PKI Services & Smart Card Services |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
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Remote Desktop Administration |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
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Terminal Server |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
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Terminal Server Session Directory |
No |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
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64-Bit Itanium Support |
No |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
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Hot Add Memory |
No |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
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Non-uniform Memory Access (NUMA) |
No |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
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Requirement |
Web Edition |
Standard Edition |
Enterprise Edition |
Datacenter Edition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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Minimum CPU Speed |
133 MHz |
133 MHz |
133 MHz x 86 733 MHz 64-bit |
133 MHz x 86 733 MHz 64-bit |
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Recommended CPU |
550 MHz |
550 MHz |
733 MHz |
733 MHz |
|
Minimum RAM |
128 MB |
128 MB |
128 MB |
512 MB |
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Recommended Minimum RAM |
256 MB |
256 MB |
256 MB |
1 GB |
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Maximum RAM |
2 GB |
4 GB |
32 GB x 86 64 GB 64-bit |
64 GB x 86 128 GB 64-bit |
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Multiprocessor Support |
1 or 2 |
1 or 2 |
Up to 8 |
Minimum 8 Maximum 32 |
|
Disk Space for Setup |
1.5 GB |
1.5 GB |
1.5 GB x 86 2.0 GB 64-bit |
1.5 GB x 86 2.0 GB 64-bit |
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