By Michael Cherry [bio]
Posted: Feb. 4, 2008

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.

Contributing analysts: Greg DeMichillie, Rob Helm, Rob Horwitz

Windows Server 2008 is an important update to Microsoft's server OS. It continues efforts to harden the OS against attacks and to make the OS more manageable in branch offices. It also introduces a new network security technology (called Network Access Protection) that could protect organizations against compromised computers. However, Windows Server 2008 does not yet deliver Microsoft's new Hyper-V virtualization technology, which is a critical improvement for server consolidation that will come about six months after the OS release. Windows Server 2008 customers will also have to test the OS carefully for application and hardware compatibility, and upgrade some of Microsoft's own applications to run them on the new OS.

This report outlines improvements of Windows Server 2008 in the following areas:

• Server and security configuration and tools for managing server configurations
• The Active Directory user identity and computer configuration service, including its new "read-only" configuration for branch offices
• The new Network Access Protection (NAP) system for enforcing security policies on devices attaching to an organization's network
• Internet Information Services (IIS) management simplifications and scripting improvements for Web applications
• Terminal Services improvements to simplify remote access, provide a better user interface, and enhance scalability for centrally hosted Windows applications
• Rights Management Services improvements to simplify controlled sharing of sensitive data with customers and business partners.

The report also outlines Microsoft's plans to transition to 64-bit server OSs after Windows Server 2008, explains the major points where compatibility testing is required, and describes system requirements and licensing options of the product, including the new product activation technology. The report briefly summarizes the new Hyper-V virtualization technology, based on a public beta test version released in Dec. 2007.