Introducing Windows Server 2008 - MCTS Guide to Microsoft Windows Server 2008 Active Directory Configuration - page 31

Chapter Summary

1

A server is largely defined by the software running on the computer hardware rather
than the computer hardware on which the software is running. Although most client
OSs now provide some server services, such as file and printer sharing, a true server
OS is usually defined as providing these important network services: directory services,
DNS, remote access, DHCP, and robust network application services. In addition, cur-
rent server OSs include hardware support for multiple processors, disk fault tolerance,
and clustering.

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Windows Server 2008 is available in four main editions: Standard, Enterprise, Datacenter,
and Windows Web Server 2008. In addition, each edition except Windows Web Server 2008
can be purchased with or without the Hyper-V role. The differences between these editions
revolve around hardware support and advanced fault-tolerance features. Windows Web
Server 2008 and Standard Edition support up to 4 processors, Enterprise Edition supports
up to 8, and Datacenter Edition supports up to 64. Other differences include support for
clustering, hot-add or hot-replace hardware capabilities, and the number of virtual licenses
included in 64-bit versions.

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The technologies that make up the core functionality of Windows Server 2008 include
NTFS, Active Directory, the Microsoft Management Console, disk management, file and
printer sharing, networking components, and IIS.

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Windows Server 2008 includes 17 primary server roles and a plethora of supporting role
services, so administrators can configure a server as a narrowly focused device, providing
just one or two specific services, or as a general, do-it-all system that's the center of a
Windows network.

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Windows Server 2008 builds on the success of Windows Server 2003 by adding a host of
new and improved services. They include an improved Server Manager, Server Core,
Hyper-V, enhancements in storage management and networking (such as Network Access
Protection features), improvements in Remote Installation Services and Terminal Services,
and many new or improved Active Directory roles and role services.

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Key Terms
Active Directory The Windows directory service that enables administrators to create and
manage users and groups, set network-wide user and computer policies, manage security, and
organize network resources.
Datacenter Edition A Windows Server 2008 edition with support for up to 64 processors,
primarily intended for organizations managing huge amounts of data, using virtualization on a
large scale, consolidating servers, or running high-volume, transaction-heavy applications.
domain controller A Windows server that has Active Directory installed and is responsible
for allowing client computers access to domain resources.
Enterprise Edition A Windows Server 2008 edition suitable for medium to large businesses
that need high-availability network services. Supports up to eight processors and up to 2 TB
RAM. Its most notable feature that isn't available in Standard Edition is clustering.
member server A Windows server that's in the management scope of a Windows domain but
doesn't have Active Directory installed.
network client The part of the OS that sends requests to a server to access network resources.
network protocol Software that specifies the rules and format of communication between
devices on a network.
network server software The part of the OS that receives requests for shared network
resources and makes those resources available to a network client.
New Technology File System (NTFS) A file system used on Windows OSs that supports
compression, encryption, and fine-tuned permissions.