Windows 2003 R2 Active Directory Features & SBS R2 Features

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Windows 2003 R2 Active Directory Related Features

I. Extends value of Active Directory deployments to facilitate secure access across organizational and platform boundaries, to allow organizations to manage a single identity across partner, Web, and UNIX applications.

Windows Server 2003 R2 Identity and Access Management Features

Windows Server 2003 R2 offers functionality that extends connectivity and control of identity management for internal and external collaboration. The following Windows Server 2003 R2 features deliver distinct advantages for identity and access management:

1. Active Directory Federation Services (ADFS): ADFS provides Web-based extranet authentication/authorization, single sign-on (SSO), and federated identity services for Windows Server environments, which increases the value of existing Active Directory deployments to B2C extranet, intra-company (multi-forest) federation, and B2B internet federation scenarios.

2. Extranet authentication and SSO services extend the strong authentication and distributed session capabilities Windows has for internal networks to internet-facing perimeter networks. Identity federation makes it possible for two organizations to share a user's Active Directory identity information securely over federation trusts, facilitating collaboration with partners and delegating user management.

3. Active Directory Application Mode (ADAM): ADAM, an independent mode of Active Directory without infrastructure features, provides directory services for applications. Operating as a stand-alone data store or interacting with an Active Directory domain controller, ADAM's flexibility enables administrators to tailor their directory services infrastructure to varying degrees of local control/autonomy or shared services. ADAM provides a data store and services for accessing that data store, uses standard application programming interfaces (APIs) for accessing application data, and works with ADFS to provide a user store for extranet application authentication

4. UNIX Identity Management: Windows Server 2003 R2 provides Windows and UNIX integration, which helps to establish uninterrupted user access and efficient management of network resources across operating systems, through the following updated identity management solutions:

· Server for NIS helps integrate Windows and UNIX-based Network Information Service (NIS) servers by enabling an Active Directory domain controller to act as a master NIS server for one or more NIS domains. Identity Management for UNIX includes an easy-to-use wizard that a Windows domain administrator can use to export NIS domain maps to Active Directory entries.

· Password Synchronization helps integrate Windows and UNIX servers by simplifying the process of maintaining secure passwords. With Password Synchronization, users do not need to maintain separate passwords for their Windows and UNIX accounts or remember to change the password in multiple locations. Password Synchronization automatically changes a user password on both UNIX and Windows networks whenever the user changes his or her password.

II. Extends connectivity and reliability to and from the branch office while controlling the total cost of ownership of branch IT infrastructure.

Windows Server 2003 R2, the first instance in a series of upcoming branch office technologies from Microsoft and industry partners, offers functionality that streamlines operations for remote file and print servers. The following Windows Server 2003 R2 features deliver distinct advantages for branch office integration:

1. Robust File Replication: Windows Server 2003 R2 includes a completely rewritten replication engine for the Distributed File System (DFS). DFS Replication provides a robust multimaster file replication service, which is significantly more scalable and efficient in synchronizing file servers than its predecessor, File Replication Services (FRS). DFS Replication schedules and throttles replication schemes, supports multiple replication topologies, and utilizes Remote Differential Compression (RDC) to increase WAN efficiency. If WAN connections fail, data can be stored and forwarded when WAN connections become available.

2. Advanced Compression Technologies: Remote Differential Compression (RDC) is a WAN-friendly compression technology that replicates only the changes needed to ensure global file consistency.

3. Enhanced Management Tools:

· The Print Management Console (PMC) provides a richer view of a network's printer topology, with which an IT administrator can monitor and react quickly to printer situations, allowing seamless productivity for branch office print users.

· Microsoft Management Console (MMC) 2.1 has been expanded to inlcude an enterprise-wide administration framework for managing file and print services. Businesses can mitigate the need for on-site administrators or third-party consultants for resolving local issues.

· The enhanced DFS Namespaces technology user interface allows for easier management of file system roots within a network infrastructure.

R2 Home: https://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/default.mspx

Small Business Server R2 Features

Automated, network-wide patch and update management for all Microsoft Update supported products lowering the costs of managing a Microsoft-based network and helping to maintain a more secure infrastructure

Increased mailbox limits from 16 GB to 75 GB, enabling improved productivity for employees

Inclusion of SQL Server 2005 Workgroup Edition technology in SBS 2003 R2 Premium Edition

Expanded client access license (CAL) rights, including access to additional Exchange Server 2003 and SQL Server 2005 Workgroup Edition servers in the SBS 2003 R2 network, allowing customers more flexibility in growth

Once available (RTM slated for Q2 2006), SBS 2003 R2 may be obtained through the following channels:

SBS customers with Software Assurance* will be able to obtain SBS 2003 R2 without purchasing a new server license** for a nominal shipping and handling fee.

SBS customers without Software Assurance will be able to purchase a new version upgrade SKU via retail, which will enable them to cost-effectively upgrade from any version of SBS (4.0, 4.5, 2000, 2003) to SBS 2003 R2.

SBS FAQ: https://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/sbs/techinfo/overview/generalfaq.mspx

 

Good day,

 

Stephanie B. Doakes