Still sitting on W2K3 Servers? Upgrade, here is why

 

1. Windows 2008, W2K8R2, W2K8R2 SP1 features

Follow is a summary of the key features of Windows 2008 R2 SP1 which includes all features from the original Windows 2008 and Windows 2008 R2 (original). That is as compared to Windows 2003 server.

 

1.1. Active Directory

1.1.1. Domain Features

Read-Only Domain Controller (RODC) represents a new type of domain controller available in Windows Server 2008.

Active Directory Federation Services (AD FS), enables secure document and e-mail collaboration. AD FS provides Web-based extranet authentication and authorisation, single sign-on (SSO), and federated identity services for Windows Server environments.

Windows Server 2008, DFS replication for SYSVOL, Advanced Encryption Services (AES 128 and AES 256) support for Kerberos, Last interactive logon information, Fine-grained password policies (FGPP) for individuals and groups.

Authentication mechanism assurance, a user can have access to different resources if they log in with a certificate versus when they log in with just their username and password or via ADFS. Automatic SPN management, Passwords for these accounts will be reset automatically. And administrative tasks for managed service accounts can be delegated to non-administrators.

1.1.2. Forest Features

Windows Server 2008, No additional features.

Windows Server 2008 Windows 2008 R2, Active Directory recycle bin (must be enabled via command line).

 

1.2. Key Windows 2008 Technologies

Server Manager is the unified Microsoft Management Console (MMC) that offers an integrated experience for adding, removing, and configuring server roles and features.

Windows PowerShell, (superseded by PowerShell v2.0 in Windows 2008 R2).

Server Core installation which includes only the subsystems required for those server roles required on that particular server.

Next Generation TCP/IP Stack with redesigned TCP/IP functionality.

New Failover clustering to increase availability of applications and services (Enterprise Edition or higher).

Internet Information Services (IIS) 7.0, (superseded by IIS in Windows 2008 R2)

Windows SharePoint Services is a collaboration technology to improve business processes and enhance productivity.

Terminal Services to provide presentation virtualisation. ie a full Windows desktop from any computer. And application virtualisation via RemoteApp ie presenting only applications instead of the entire desktop.

Network Access Protection (NAP) prevents unhealthy computers from accessing and compromising servers and services.

Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) enhancements include support for enterprise auto-enrolment, Network Device Enrolment Services (NDES), the Online Certificate Status Protocol (OCSP), the Online Responder service, and version 3 certificates.

Windows Firewall with Advanced Security.

Federated Rights Management Services solution, provides a collaboration extension to eliminates the overhead of external user IDs when sharing email or Microsoft office documents to non-staff.

BitLocker Drive Encryption which encrypts the contents of a disk volume.

DFS Replication remote differential compression (RDC); which minimises the volume of replicated data that passes over the WAN. Cross-file replication uses a heuristic to identify when a file exists on the sending computer and not on the receiving computer, but similar files exist on the receiving computer.

Virtualisation through Windows server Hyper-V (superseded by Windows 2008 Windows 2008 R2 SP1)

 

1.3. Key Windows 2008 R2 Technologies

Remote Desktop Services with support for VDI or traditional terminal services.

DirectAccess, allowing remote staff to seamlessly connect to their work environment without the use of a virtual private network (VPN).

Hyper-V Live Migration, enables the movement of virtual machines from one host to another with no perceivable downtime. Hyper-V also supports for up to 64 logical processors to and supports new multi-core hardware and more scalable virtualisation.

BranchCache, reduces WAN bandwidth consumption between the data centre and branch offices.

Windows PowerShell 2.0, provides updated scripting capabilities to help automate server deployment, configuration and management.

File Classification Infrastructure (FCI), is a built-in solution for file classification and management.

Improved Power Management, with support for new processor core and storage power management, reducing power consumption and enhanced budgeting and metering capabilities.

Internet Information Services (IIS) 7.5: Delivers full support for .NET on Server Core, with PHP support, new management tools, and bundled extensions.

 

1.4. Key Windows 2008 R2 SP1 Technologies

Hyper-V Dynamic Memory - Dynamic Memory allows administrators to dynamically adjust memory usage depending on server demand.

VDI with RemoteFX, to support virtualised graphics resources and advanced codecs to enable local-like desktop environment including support for 3D applications, portable graphics content such as Silverlight and Flash, and Windows Aero.

Single set of SP1 updates for Windows Server and Windows 7 – Windows 2008 R2 SP1 delivers all previously released updates prior to Windows deploy and support a single service pack for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2.