Exploring Windows Server 2008 Operating Systems, Research Paper Example

Microsoft windows server is a hub for centralized administration in the local area network. The features of the server are implemented and utilized according to the business requirements. A comprehensive definition is available in the ‘Network dictionary’ which says “Windows Server System is an integrated set of server software from Microsoft. It forms the infrastructure for operating the back end of an information technology system”.

Windows Server 2008

Windows Server 2008 is the most customers focused released apart from the previous editions. The server management utility summarizes the management and configuration of the server with ease. The Hyper –V technology facilitates the Information Technology professionals to run many servers on a single platform identifying each of them by their primary role. In corporate organizations, servers are implemented to bear the workload of the business requirements and processes. For each core process, a server is implemented. For example Web server, Domain controller, File server, Email server etc. Windows serve gives the freedom for running various core processes on the same platform.

Server Editions for the Year 2008

Standard

Windows server standard edition is the most strong and robust operating system to date. Virtualization and enhanced web capabilities are integrated to increase the reliability and flexibility, at the same time reducing time and cost. Powerful built in tools provide better accessibility of processes to streamline configuration and management tasks. The enhanced security provides a solid foundation for business at the corporate level.

Enterprise

Windows Server® 2008 Enterprise distributes an enterprise platform for implementing mission critical applications on a high scale. This version bundles with consolidated identity management features to provide improved security. The infrastructure cost is reduced by combining applications with virtualization licensing rights. This edition also provides a highly dynamic Information Technology infrastructure.

Datacenter

Microsoft Windows Server 2008 Datacenter delivers a venture of class for business critical applications along with virtualization on small and large scale servers. It includes enhanced clustering and vibrant hardware separating capabilities. Processor supports from 2 to 64 processors.

Web Server

This edition was released for a single purpose web server. The web server bundles a newly architecture IIS 7.0, ASP.Net, and Microsoft.Net framework. This edition enables organizations to efficiently deploy web services, web pages and web applications.

HPC Server

The high performance computing edition consists of advanced monitoring, reporting of system’s health with the help of integrated diagnostic tools. The operating system gives freedom for creating and managing groups of resources and failover options.

Storage Server

The storage server enhances the file server features by file and block storage ‘iSCI” and data duplication capabilities with the help of “SIS”. The storage server supports advanced storage technologies and simplified management.

Small Business Server

The windows small business server is an integrated affordable solution for small businesses. It is bundled with anti spam and antivirus software for providing protection against viruses and spywares. The data can be stored as a ‘backup’ on the network.  The small business server provides the functionality to access the business computer desktop, emails, business applications and more.

Essential Business Server

Essential business server provides optimized core infrastructure including Microsoft exchange server 2007, Microsoft server 2008, System Centre essentials and more. It poses a unified administration console for pro actively managing organizations IT environment.

For Itanium-Based Systems

This edition is optimized for vast databases, businesses and custom made applications supporting up to 64 processors for meeting the needs of demanding business applications and mission critical systems.

Foundation

This edition is a general purpose server. It allows the organizations to afford the technology with low cost for running a business. It provides channel convenience by an extensive network of trusted Microsoft partners.

Windows Server Limitations

Memory Limitations

The Fig 1.1 shows the memory limits of various Windows Server editions.

Processor Limitations

Limitation of processors by each version is shown in Fig 1.2.

Windows vs. Linux

Flavors

Windows and Linux are available in a variety of flavors. For windows, all the flavors are released from Microsoft, flavors for Linux are released from different companies (i.e. Redhat, Suse, Ubuntu, Linspire,Xandros, Knoppix, Slackware and Lycorix etc.) As compared to windows, Linux is more customizable,

Graphical User Interface

Linux allows customization of themes and appearance of the graphical user interface. Windows do not provide customization options.

Cost

Linux is open source and is based on annual subscriptions. The organization has to pay every year. As compared to Linux, the organizations purchase a license for each user and the application itself.

Manageability

Linux provides tools for downloading packages and updates of the software. The emphasize is not on the corporate level requirements for instance, Email, business and database applications. The DSI (Dynamic Systems initiative) is a technology from Microsoft to assist organizations to enhance the vibrant potential of their employees, business processes and IT.

Active Directory

A comprehensive definition is published on computer encyclopedia which says ” An advanced, hierarchical directory service that comes with Windows servers. Introduced with Windows 2000, Active Directory uses the LDAP directory access protocol and is built upon the Internet’s Domain Naming System (DNS). Workgroups are given domain names similar in structure to Web addresses, and any LDAP-compliant Windows, Mac, Unix or Linux client can access them.”

Active directory is built in the directory service bundled with Windows server 2000 and 2003. It provides centralized administration and provides access policies for each user in the organization. First step will be the group creation. Second step is the user creation. The access policies include services for example, local network, email, printing devices, Internet, Applications etc. The administrator can assign the rights on any of the user as per the policies of the organization.

Benefits of Active Directory

Easy User and Network Administration

Active directory constructs hierarchical structure of information that makes it easy for the administrator to control the credentials, locate the network resources of files and printers.

Secure

Active directory flexible and secure as it supports ‘kerebos’ V5 protocol, Secure Socket Layer(SSL), and transport layer security (TLS) authentication protocols and X.509 certificate for security groups.

Advanced Directory services  

Light weight directory access protocol (LDAP) provides the flexibility to merge the requirements which are specific to applications. Users, applications, devices and workstations can be organized in a simple and easy way.

Single Platform

There is a centralized administrative point which is called a ‘Global Catalog’ is utilized for monitoring and messaging of the entire directory.

GPC (Group Policy Container)

For applying management policies within the organization, only GPC is updated and can be used through the entire directory eliminating the import and export of the group policy objects.

Recovery and Backup

The main server is only one which is called the domain controller. It means every location has a full domain back up .Only server backup is required in case of any disaster or server crash.

References

“Active Directory.” Computer Desktop Encyclopedia (2010): 1. Computers & Applied Sciences Complete. EBSCO. Web. 7 Nov. 2010.

“Windows Server System.” Network Dictionary (2007): 528. Computers & Applied Sciences Complete. EBSCO. Web. 7 Nov. 2010.

Windows Products and Technologies History. Digital image. Windows Products and Technologies History. Microsoft. Web. 7 Nov. 2010.