Windows Server 2008 R2

One of the key things that got announced yesterday were details about the next release of Windows Server 2008. Called Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2, it will build on the features and capabilities of the current Windows Server 2008 release version. The key features are broken down into 5 key areas which are outlined below and there is more details in the reviewers guide.

Improving the Web Application Platform

Windows Server 2008 R2 includes many improvements that make this release the best Windows Server application platform yet, but by far the most important contributors to this capability are the updates to Internet Information Services 7 (IIS 7). The new Web server includes features to help applications run faster while using fewer system resources. Here are some of the key features :-

1. Reduced Administrative Effort

2. Enhanced Web Application Security

3. Improved File-Transfer Services

4. Improved Availability and Performance for Web-based Applications and Services

Enabling Virtualization and Consolidation

Virtualization is a major part of today’s data centers. The operating efficiencies offered by virtualization allow organizations to dramatically reduce operational effort and power consumption. Some of the key features are :-

1. Improved Computer Virtualization with Hyper-V™ 2.0

2. Increased Availability for Virtual Data centers

3. Hyper-V™ Live Migration Support through Cluster Shared Volumes

4. Improved Cluster Node Connectivity Fault Tolerance

5. Enhanced Cluster Validation Tool

6. Improved Migration of Cluster Workloads

7. Improved Management of Virtual Data Centers

8. Simplified Method for Physical and Virtual Computer Deployments

9. Terminal Services Becomes Remote Desktop Services for Improved Presentation Virtualization

10. Integration between Remote Desktop Services and Virtual Desktop Infrastructure

Streamlining Management

The ongoing management of servers in the data center is one of the most time-consuming tasks facing IT professionals today. Any management strategy you deploy must support the management of both your physical and virtual environments.

To help with this problem, Windows Server 2008 R2 has new features to reduce the ongoing management of Windows Server 2008 R2 and to reduce the administrative effort for common day-to-day operational tasks. And these administrative tasks can be performed on the server or remotely. Some of the key features are :-

1. Improved Data center Power Consumption Management

2. Reduced Multi-core Processor Power Consumption

3. Reduced Processor Power Consumption

4. Reduced Storage Power Consumption

5. Improved Remote Administration

6. Reduced Administrative Effort for Interactive Administrative Tasks

7. Enhanced Command-line and Automated Management

8. Improved Identity Management

9. Improvements for All Active Directory Server Roles

10. Improvements in Active Directory Domain Services

11. Improvements in Active Directory Federated Services

12. Improved Compliance with Established Standards and Best Practices

Scalability and Reliability

Windows Server 2008 R2 is capable of the unprecedented workload size, dynamic scalability and across-the-board availability and reliability. A host of new and updated features contribute to this pillar. Some of the key features are :-

1. Leveraging Sophisticated CPU Architectures

2. Increased Operating System Componentization

3. Improved Performance and Scalability for Applications and Services

4. Improved Storage Solutions

5. Improved Availability for Automated IP Configuration Services

6. Improved Security for DNS Services

Making the Experience Better Together

Windows Server 2008 R2 has many features that are designed to specifically work with client computers running Windows 7. This is the next version of Microsoft’s client operating system. Some of the key features are :-

1. Simplified Remote Connectivity for Corporate Computers

2. Secured Remote Connectivity for Private and Public Computers

3. Improved Performance for Branch Offices

4. Improved Security for Branch Offices

5. More Efficient Power Management

6. Improved Virtualized Desktop Integration

7. Higher Fault Tolerance for Connectivity Between Sites

8. Increased Protection for Removable Drives

9. Improved Prevention of Data Loss for Mobile Users

You can find more details with the reviews guide