NEWSLETTER - THE BENEFITS OF WINDOWS SERVER 2008
Due to launch on 27 Feb 2008, Microsoft Windows Server 2008 is the next generation of the Windows Server operating system. It has been designed to help IT professionals maximise control over their infrastructure while providing unprecedented availability and management capabilities, leading to a significantly more secure, reliable and robust server environment than ever before.
In addition to new functionality, Windows Server 2008 provides powerful improvements to the base operating system over Windows Server 2003. Notable improvements include those to networking, advanced security features, remote application access, centralised server role management, performance and reliability monitoring tools, failover clustering, deployment, and the file system.
As a result of these changes Windows Server 2008 will deliver benefits in four main areas:
Web
Windows Server 2008 provides the ability to deliver rich Web-based experiences efficiently and effectively, with improved administration and diagnostics, development and application tools and lower infrastructure costs through:
- Simplified Web server management with Internet Information Services 7.0, a powerful Web platform for applications and services. This modular platform provides a simplified, task-based management interface, greater cross-site control, security enhancements and integrated health management for Web services
- Task-based interface that simplifies common management Web server tasks
- Cross-site copy that allows the easy copying of Web site settings across multiple Web servers without additional configuration
- Delegated administration of applications and sites enables control to be given to different parts of the Web server to those who need it
Virtualisation
With built-in server virtualisation technology, Windows Server 2008 enables you to reduce costs, increase hardware utilisation, optimise infrastructure and improve server availability through:
- The capability to virtualise multiple operating systems - Windows, Linux and others -on a single server
- Centralised application access and seamless integration of remotely published applications. Improvements also add the ability to connect to remote applications across firewalls and without the use of a VPN, enabling quick response to the needs of users, regardless of their location
- New deployment options to provide the most suitable method for your environment
- Interoperability with the existing environment
Security
Windows Server 2008 is the most secure Windows Server ever. Its hardened operating system and security innovations, including Network Access Protection, Federated Rights Management and Read-Only Domain Controller provide unprecedented levels of protection for the network, data and business through:
- Protection of the server with security innovations that reduce attack surface area of the kernel, resulting in a more robust and secure server environment
- Protection of network access with Network Access Protection that gives the power to isolate computers that do not comply with set security policies
- Enhanced solutions for intelligent rules and policies creation to increase control and protection over networking functions, allowing a policy-driven network
- Protection of data to ensure it can only be accessed by users with the correct security context and to make it available when hardware failures occur
- Protection against malicious software with User Account Control with a new authentication architecture
- Increased control over user settings with Expanded Group Policy.
Solid foundation for business workloads and applications
Windows Server 2008 is the most flexible and robust Windows Server operating system to date. It provides the most versatile and reliable Windows platform for all workload and application requirements through:
- Increased dependability with advanced reliability enhancements to reduce loss of access, work, time, data, and control
- Simplified management of IT infrastructure by using new tools that provide a one-stop interface for server configuration and monitoring, as well as the ability to automate routine tasks
- Streamlined installation and management of Windows Server 2008 by installing only the roles and features needed
- Effectively pinpointing and resolving trouble spots with powerful diagnostic tools that give ongoing visibility into the server environment, both physical and virtual
- Increased control over servers located in remote locations, such as the branch office. With optimised server administration and data replication, it can provide users with a better service while reducing management headaches
Next steps
Windows Server 2008 is designed to provide organisations with the most productive platform for powering applications, networks and Web services from the workgroup to the datacenter with valuable new functionality and powerful improvements to the base operating system.
If you would like to take a closer look you can download the current release candidate from http://technet.microsoft.com/en-gb/bb687945.aspx
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