Windows 2003 SP2 Released
I'm sure many of you will notice shortly (as the Service Pack is replicated out to all the download sites and Windows Update), but Service Pack 2 has been released for Windows Server 2003 (and for Windows XP x64). I haven't had a chance to play with it yet, but once I do I will be sure to put up a post with the changes, any gotchas, and some Best Practices for upgrades. In the meanwhile, I give you...
The enhancements to Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2 include:
- Windows Deployment Services (WDS)
- Enabling ‘Firewall Per Port’ Authentication
- Microsoft Management Console 3.0 (MMC 3.0)
- Wireless Protected Access 2 (WPA2)
- iCACLS tool
- Expanded Windows Server 2003 Datacenter SKUs
- Release of MUI Packs to insure greater compatibility between base and MUI language
- Performance Improvements for SQL Servers
- Enhanced discoverability options in MSConfig
- Improved IPsec filter management
- Performance Improvements under Windows Virtualization
- Increased default storage for Message Queuing
- Improvements to DCDIAG Domain Name Service tests
- New Events for Cluster Service Accounts
- Scalable Networking Pack
Useful Reading:
- 2003 SP2 TechNet Site
- Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2 Installation and Deployment Guide
- List of Updates in SP2 (KB Article 914962)
- SP2 Release Notes
- Top 10 Reasons to Install Windows Server 2003 SP2
- Windows Server Devision Blog
- Small Business Server 2003 users should read KB932600 before applying SP2
Deployment Tools:
- Block SP2 Installation from Windows Update or Automatic Update
- Deployment Tools (KB Article 926028)
- Hotfix Scan Tool
SP2 on the Download Center
Download this version of SP2 if you need to deploy it to multiple servers over a network.
SP2 Standalone ISO Image
Download this version of SP2 if you want to create your own CD.