By Michael Cherry [bio]
Posted: Feb. 20, 2006

• Sidebar: Windows Server Feature Packs

The following an excerpt of a Research Report published by Directions on Microsoft, an independent research firm focused exclusively on Microsoft strategy & technology. More samples of our content, as well as a list of upcoming articles and reports are also available.

Fulfilling its promise to release an interim update for Windows Server 2003 before the end of 2005, Microsoft released Windows Server 2003 R2 in Dec. 2005. This release will interest large organizations with specific branch office, storage management, identity management, and Unix interoperability issues. It will also trigger updates to the Small Business Server product bundle and to the Windows Storage Server platform for Network Attached Storage (NAS) devices. In addition, Windows Server 2003 R2 incorporates some functionality that was previously available only in separate feature packs. (For details on these feature packs, see the sidebar "Windows Server Feature Packs".)

Many Improvements for File Servers

Key areas of improvement in Windows Server 2003 R2 include the following:

Branch offices. Improvements to file services make it easier to publish files to branch offices, replicate files from branch offices, or support document collaboration between offices. A new management console allows administrators to view and manage all the printers in an organization from any server using the new OS. Together, these improvements could simplify central management of servers in offices that have few or no IT staff.

Storage management. Two new storage management tools help system administrators control the amount and types of data that can be stored in a file directory and configure Storage Area Network (SAN) disk arrays. These tools will help organizations track storage usage and plan and deploy expansions more effectively.

Identity management. A new technology called federated identity enables organizations to share Web applications and services securely with authorized external customers and partners, without giving Windows user accounts to the external users. Windows Server 2003 R2 will also include improvements for managing user identities in corporate applications (through the Active Directory Application Mode service) and integrating Windows user identities data with Unix ones.

Unix migration. Windows Server 2003 R2 includes Unix-compatible file-sharing and directory protocols, and software that enables it to run Unix applications, which will help organizations migrate from Unix to Windows.

Planning, Licensing Considerations

Windows Server 2003 R2 could be the start of a faster release cycle for Windows Server. Specifically, Server and Tools Vice President Bob Muglia has proposed to update Windows Server roughly every two years. Updates would alternate between major releases, similar to Windows Server 2003, that change core functionality or the OS architecture, and interim "R2" releases that deliver new features in the periphery of the OS, such as the Distributed File System. While attractive to customers who want predictable release schedules, a two-year release cycle would require considerable discipline by Microsoft, and also creates new questions about maintenance and support—for example, will organizations need to upgrade to every interim release in order to benefit from future feature packs?

Windows Server 2003 R2 licensing differs from that of any previous update of Windows Server, which could affect the way customers evaluate and deploy it. Specifically, customers must buy new server licenses to run this interim release, but they do not need to buy new Client Access Licenses (CALs). Consequently, Windows Server 2003 R2 falls in an unusual position between a service pack (which can be deployed by licensed customers at no charge) and a version upgrade (which customers must pay for unless they have purchased upgrade rights through Software Assurance).

What's Ahead?

The remainder of this report contains both new material and updates to material previously published in Update and consists of the following chapters:

"Branch Office Improvements" reviews how Windows Server 2003 R2 uses faster data replication and advanced compression technologies to make it easier to centrally manage data and resources, such as printers, in branch or remote offices.

"New Storage Management Features" describes new tools that will help Windows Server 2003 R2 administrators manage storage. For example, with the new tools, administrators can use directory quotas to monitor and control disk space usage, prohibit selected file types on servers, and easily configure and provision iSCSI or Fibre Channel storage area networks.

"Identity Management Improvements" describes how both Active Directory and Active Directory Application Mode (ADAM) have been updated to support Active Directory Federation Services (ADFS), which allows external users to securely access an organization's Web-based applications and services.

"Unix Services Support Migration" details how Windows Server 2003 R2 incorporates the main features of Services for Unix (previously a separate feature pack) for sharing files and identity data between Windows and Unix systems and for running Unix applications on Windows Server.

"Future Directions and Considerations" notes major future events relevant to Windows Server 2003 R2 and identifies some important considerations for organizations considering migration.

"Resources" contains links and pointers to additional material, arranged by chapter.

"Appendix: SP1 Enhances Windows Server Security" looks at the major changes made to the OS with the first service pack. This service pack is a requirement for deploying Windows Server 2003 R2.