How to change Windows edition without reinstalling Windows? Installing DHCP Components

There are four versions operating system Windows Server 2003. Below we list all available versions and then detail the differences between them.

■ Standard Edition. This version is designed to support print and file services, as well as universal application support. This version can also serve as an Internet gateway and dial-up server.

■ Enterprise Edition. This version allows you to upgrade the Windows 2000 Advanced Server operating system. This operating system supports more RAM and more processors than the Standard Edition. In addition, clustering and advanced certificate services are supported. This version is designed for high-performance solutions and fault-tolerant services. This version of the operating system supports services that are not included in the Standard Edition.

■Datacenter Edition. This version is distributed as part of a hardware/software solution available from authorized dealers. This version of the operating system supports twice the memory and twice the larger number cluster nodes than in the Enterprise Edition. In addition, it is possible to create more fault-tolerant solutions. This version of the operating system is designed for running applications in large and critical data storage centers.

■ Web Edition. The newest member of the Windows family of server operating systems is designed for Web services applications and remote user data storage. This version of the operating system lacks many of the features of the Standard Edition, but it offers an attractive price and an easy-to-manage platform that allows you to achieve the necessary level of security.

Standard and Web operating system options are provided for 32-bit architecture (IA32) only. The Enterprise and Datacenter options are available in both 32-bit and 64-bit architectures. Versions for 64-bit architecture run only on Intel Itanium processors. There is no version of the Windows Server 2003 operating system for Alpha processors.

The table shows the minimum recommended hardware requirements as defined by Microsoft. The word recommended is highlighted due to the fact that minimum requirements, published by Microsoft, do not achieve acceptable levels of performance for enterprise systems.

In addition, Microsoft recommends allocating a minimum of 1.5 GB for the operating system partition (for IA64 versions, at least 2 GB), but the author of this book recommends allocating at least 4 GB for the operating system. This will allow application support files to be installed, and the additional free space can be used during defragmentation.

Minimum hardware requirements for the Windows Server 2003 operating system

Hardware Component	Web Edition	Standard	Enterprise Edition	Datacenter Edition
Central processor, MHz	550	550	550 (733 for IA64)	733
RAM	256 MB	256 MB	256 MB (1 GB for IA64)	1 GB
Maximum amount of RAM, GB	2	4	32 (64 for IA64)	64 (512 for 1A64)
Cluster support	No	No	8 knots	8 knots
Number of processors	1 or 2	From 1 to 4	From 1 to 8	8 to 32 (64 for IA64)

The Enterprise and Datacenter Edition versions of the operating systems targeting the IA32 platform are able to use memory beyond 4 GB (this limit is imposed by the 32-bit architecture). For this purpose, a set of technologies jointly developed by Microsoft and Intel is used.

Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition

In addition to the characteristics presented in table. 1.1, the Windows Server 2003 operating system, Standard Edition has a number of significant differences from the Windows 2000 Server operating system.

■ Processors. The Standard Edition supports up to four processors connected using the Symmetrical Multiprocessor (SMP) architecture. At the same time, for servers based on Xeop processors using Hyperthreading technology, not only physical processors are considered. Thus, a four-processor computer based on Xeop processors with Hyperthreading technology will be shown in the Task Manager window as an eight-processor computer, and all eight logical processors will be used in operation.

■ Memory. Supports up to 4GB of physical RAM, just like Windows 2000 Server, but the Standard Edition also supports 4GB Tuning, which is only available on Windows 2000 operating systems.

Advanced and Datacenter Server. This feature allows you to allocate an additional 1 GB of RAM for applications running on the server. In the Boot. ini, the 13GB or /USERVA parameter is used for this.

■ Network load distribution. The Standard Edition supports Network Load Balance clusters (NLB clusters). In the case of the Windows 2000 operating system, to obtain network load balancing, you had to purchase the Advanced or Datacenter Edition.

■ Terminal Services. The Standard Edition supports Terminal Services in Application mode, but does not support the Terminal Server Session Directory (load balancing of client terminal connections during sessions with a clustered Terminal Server) in a Network Load Balancing (NLB) cluster.

■ Certificate Services. A Certification Authority (CA) running Standard Edition can issue the same certificates as a CA in Windows 2000. To support the newer version 2 of certificates and automatic user enrollment, you must purchase the Enterprise or Datacenter edition .

Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition

If you require the following operating system features, you will have to pay an additional price for the Enterprise Edition. Prices vary significantly, but as with other Microsoft products, discounts are available for bulk purchases.

■ Support for IA64 architecture. The 64-bit Enterprise Edition enables the next generation of Intel processors.

■ Processors. The Enterprise Edition supports up to eight central processors in Symmetric Multiprocessor (SMP) configurations and the ccNUMA (cache-coherent Non-Uniform Memory Access) architecture.

■ Memory. The Enterprise Edition for IA32 architecture supports up to 32 GB of physical RAM. Compare to 8 GB of supported RAM in Windows 2000 Advanced Server operating system. The IA64 architecture version supports up to 64 GB of RAM.

■ Clusters. The Enterprise Edition supports clusters of 8 nodes. The Windows 2000 operating system supports two-node clusters.

■ Quickly add memory. With hardware support, it is possible to add RAM to a running server. This feature is also available in the Datacenter Edition.

■ Support for metadirectories. Microsoft Metadirectory Services (MMS) version 3 was delayed until the release of Windows Server 2003 to provide the ability to combine multiple directory services, but this capability is only supported in the Enterprise Edition. Additional information is available at www.microsoft.com/windows2000/server/evaluation/news/bulletins/mmsroadmap.asp.

Windows Server 2003, Datacenter Edition

This version is intended for the most powerful systems, for example, for creating data warehouses, graphical and economic modeling, as well as implementing online analytical reporting systems (Online Analytical Processing - OLAP). In addition to the features available in the Enterprise Edition, the following features are supported in the Datacenter Edition:

■ IA64 support. The 64-bit Datacenter Edition takes advantage of the scalability capabilities of IA64 servers, including support for up to 512 GB of RAM (with motherboard support) and up to 64 CPUs.

■ Processors. The IA32 Datacenter Edition supports up to 32 processors in Symmetric Multiprocessor (SMP) and ccNUMA architecture configurations.

■ Memory. The Datacenter Edition for the IA32 architecture supports up to 64 GB of physical RAM.

■ Clusters. Datacenter Edition supports up to eight nodes per cluster. For comparison, the Windows 2000 operating system supports up to four nodes in a cluster.

You cannot purchase Datacenter Edition software alone. This operating system is only provided as part of ready-made solution from suppliers such as IBM, HP, Groupe Bull, Hitachi and Unisys, as well as from Intel apologists such as Dell, Gateway and NEC. Full list partners is available on the Microsoft website at www.microsoft.com/servers in the Datacenter Edition section.

By purchasing a Datacenter Edition solution from one of these vendors, a customer receives a package of software and hardware, as well as a range of services. Each system is tested using a set of tests for certification by Microsoft before delivery to the client. The provider provides 24/7 support. Microsoft experts answer your questions. The supplier must provide such services.

■ Guaranteed minimum uptime - 99.9% (up to nine hours of downtime for maintenance is allowed throughout the year)

■ Installation and configuration services

■ Accessibility assessment

■ 24/7 hardware and software support

■ Hardware and software support with a specialist visiting the client

■ Update Services

As you might guess, these platforms and services come at a high price. But in the sky-high world of high-reliability servers, a solution built entirely on Datacenter Edition costs much less than a similar RISC-based solution.

Windows Server 2003, Web Edition

This version is sometimes called Blade Server due to the fact that it was designed to run on large Web servers (called Web farms) that use a high component density.

Apart from being limited to 2 GB of RAM (virtual memory is also limited to 4 GB), Web Edition does not support certain features that users often associate with servers running the Windows operating system. The operating system is devoid of all functions that are not needed by the Web platform, which allows for greater security of the solution. Here short description reduced set of functions.

■ Routing and remote access. The Web Edition only supports one VPN connection, which is for operating system management. This operating system variant is not able to function as a server remote access or as an Internet gateway. ICF firewall is also not supported.

■ Active Directory. The Web Edition cannot function as a domain controller. A server running this operating system can be part of a domain.

File and print services. The Web Edition is capable of connecting to Windows clients and can contain a Distributed File System (DFS) volume. File encryption is supported. Shadow copying is not supported. The Web Edition cannot be used as a Remote Installation Services (RIS) server.

Certificates. The Web Edition does not support Certificate Services, and a computer running this version cannot act as a CA.

Terminal Services. In the Web Edition, you can organize two remote access sessions for administration purposes, but this operating system cannot act as a full-fledged terminal server running in application mode.

Windows Server 2003 R2 versions

The Windows Server 2003 R2 operating system is available for all major editions of Windows Server 2003 except Web Edition. This is due to the fact that all the innovations in R2 do not affect the IIS components, so there is nothing to improve in the Web Edition. Thus, there is Windows Server 2003 R2 Standard Edition, Windows Server 2003 R2 Enterprise Edition, and Windows Server 2003 R2 Datacenter Edition.

All three major editions of Windows Server 2003 R2 are available on the 32-bit x86 and 64-bit x64 platforms (also known as AMD64 or Intel EMT64). Also for the x64 platform, Windows Storage Server editions have been released for the first time and a Small Business Server release is planned. There is no version of Windows Server 2003 R2 for the Intel Itanium platform. Support for this platform will be implemented in the Longhorn server operating system.

A notable innovation in Windows Server 2003, in contrast to Windows 2000 Server, is the pre-installed .NET Framework shell, which made it possible to support the Microsoft .NET platform. Initially, Microsoft planned to call the new product “Windows .NET Server.” But later this name was rejected. Windows Server 2003 introduces many administration and management commands. Also included in the system for the first time is a shadow copy service, which allows you to automatically save previous versions of user files.

Editions

The operating system was released in four editions:

• Wed Edition. A "light" version of Windows Server 2003, designed primarily for web hosting and support of XML web services in small organizations and departments. This edition is provided only through Microsoft partners and is not sold as a "boxed product".
• Standard Edition. It is a publication aimed at use in medium and small businesses. The only features that are not available in the Standard Edition are those that Microsoft believes only large enterprises need. In addition, it is possible to use up to 4 processors simultaneously, as well as 4 GB of RAM.
• Enterprise Edition. A publication aimed at large and medium-sized businesses. Enterprise Edition allows you to use up to 1 terabyte of RAM, supports up to 8 processors simultaneously, adding RAM on the fly and clustering.
• Datacenter Edition. The most powerful of all editions of Windows Server 2003, designed for use in large organizations. This edition does not contain some services, the use of which is only advisable in small companies or groups.

There were also Enterprise Editions and Datacenter Editions for 64-bit systems based on Itanium 2 processors.

Server roles

Windows Server 2003 is a multitasking operating system that can manage different sets of roles centrally or distributedly, depending on user needs. Some of the server roles:

• file server and print server;
• web server and web application server;
• mail server;
• terminal server;
• remote access server/virtual private network (VPN) server;
• Directory service, Domain Name System (DNS), Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) server, and Windows Internet Naming Service (WINS);
• streaming media server.

System requirements

• Minimum processor frequency 133 MHz (400 MHz for Datacenter Edition) for x86-based computers, 733 MHz for Itanium-based computers
• Minimum RAM 128 MB (512 MB for Datacenter Edition)
• Installation disk space 1.5 GB for x86-based computers, 2 GB for Itanium-based computers

OS End of Support

On July 14, 2015, official support for the Windows Server 2003 operating system ended. Microsoft says that many customers have already switched from the outdated server platform to a more recent one. However, there are quite a few companies that have not yet managed to update or do not intend to do so, putting their computer systems at risk.

As reported on the Microsoft website, the company will stop releasing security updates for Windows Server 2003/R2 and applications running on this OS, and will also stop providing online support to these users on July 14, 2015. All data centers running Windows Server 2003/R2 will not be compliant with security or government regulations, and Microsoft recommends migrating to the new OS as soon as possible. This is especially true for those companies that deal with sensitive data (for example, healthcare and financial institutions).

As of July 2014, as Microsoft reported then, there were about 24 million servers in the world managed by Windows Server 2003. The company did not provide more recent figures. Most likely, the number of such cars has decreased significantly over the year.

According to Mike Schutz, general manager of cloud platform marketing at Microsoft, an "overwhelming percentage" of the company's customers have already migrated their server workloads from Windows Server 2003. However, there still appear to be many companies that have retired their servers. Microsoft security patches, notes ComputerWorld.

One of these is the large American pharmaceutical company Sanofi, which has more than 12 thousand servers based on x86 architecture. Mike Stager, senior director of servers, storage and data recovery at Sanofi, said the company was too late in upgrading the systems, so the process would take several years.

Despite the end of support for Windows Server 2003, Microsoft will continue to release critical updates for this OS as part of special program Custom Support Agreement (CSA). Its subscribers will have to pay $600 per server in the first year of the program. Next year the cost will double and then triple.

The company offers Windows Server 2012 R2 as a new operating system.

Companies that have not planned to migrate to new OS versions may face a number of difficulties. The most serious ones include the lack of access to security updates for the operating system and the need to incur additional maintenance and security costs. In addition, servers based on Windows 2003/R2 will not be certified by regulators during an audit.

“In 2003, Windows Server 2003 was a modern operating system that took into account the realities and challenges of those times. A decade later, the OS is outdated and cannot meet all the requirements of modern IT needs, says Rodion Tulsky, manager for promoting infrastructure solutions for data centers, Microsoft in Russia. “Microsoft offers customers a modern operating system that is fully compliant with today’s challenges and trends and includes server virtualization capabilities, support for cloud technologies, advanced storage functionality and new advanced security mechanisms.”

Microsoft offers specialized migration services from Microsoft Consulting Services to customers and actively collaborates with partners and developers to ensure that they can efficiently and effectively migrate and offer applications that support Windows Server 2012R2.

At the same time, companies planning a transition can purchase a new hardware server, install the Windows Server 2012 R2 operating system and transfer loads to the new server, or choose the virtualization path and transfer loads to a virtual machine running the Windows Server 2012 R2 operating system, reducing costs for equipment and electricity , cooling, place in the data center. Another alternative would be to migrate to virtual machines, for example, Microsoft Azure or service providers.

After support for Windows Server 2003 ends, companies should update not only the server OS, but also the hardware. Migration can take varying amounts of time, depending on the number of servers, the role they play in the infrastructure, and the applications being supported. Migration to new and more modern operating systems will allow companies not only to update their fleet of operating systems, but also to modernize their infrastructure. Thus, when replacing hardware, the company will receive not only a new operating system, but also a completely different, more high level productivity.

The right migration strategy to newer and more modern operating systems includes several key elements. It requires identifying the remaining systems running Windows Server 2003, analyzing the workloads, and determining the appropriate path to move to new features and technologies. Microsoft suggests Windows Server 2012 R2 virtualization, Microsoft Azure, and Office 365 as the best systems to migrate from Windows Server 2003.

Migration includes:

• Consolidate physical servers or paid virtualization platforms into Hyper-V to save money.
• Migrate workloads such as Exchange or Office 365 to improve productivity and reduce workloads.
• Update from SQL Server 2005 to SQL Server 2014 for mission-critical performance and faster access to any data.
• Migrate web applications to Microsoft Azure or Cloud OS Network to simplify access and scale applications, as well as improve and cost-effectiveness.
• Enhance consumer and business applications to meet the needs and mobile work environments of today's office workers.

Windows Server 2003 will continue to work after support ends, but it is important to note that software outside of support carries serious security risks and can lead to financial losses.

The migration process is usually divided into 4 steps. The duration of each of them depends on the specifics of the company’s infrastructure. The stages should be performed one after another and at each of them you should be attentive to detail.

Data collection

At the data collection stage, it is necessary to find out what state the IT infrastructure is in, what applications and their components are hosted on servers running the old operating system. The compiled catalog of servers and applications must also include information about the current loads on the system for their subsequent analysis.

Analysis

The analysis phase consists of the process of processing the received data and assessing the criticality of applications. It is necessary to find the most business-critical applications and think through approaches to their migration, as well as procedures for testing functionality after the migration itself.

This stage is also a good opportunity to create a list of applications and identify owners or responsibilities for them, eliminate applications that are no longer in use, or reallocate resources to the most loaded and critical tasks.

Choosing a path

The list obtained at the previous stage will allow you to determine the further vector of development of your IT infrastructure. At the stage of choosing a path, it is worth thinking about the use of new technologies. Perhaps on at this stage You decide to reconsider your current capacity and give preference to virtual environments, taking the first step towards a private cloud. This will save resources and avoid spending additional money on scalability or fault tolerance.

Migration The last step is the simplest and all that remains is to follow the planned migration process. Of course, we should not forget that before starting something large-scale, in our case this is migration, it is necessary to make a backup copy of the infrastructure and think through options for rolling back the system to its original state.

How can a team of experienced specialists help?

The migration process does not always go smoothly. There are many pitfalls that, without regular practical experience, cannot be taken into account when planning work. Therefore, during planning and testing, it is worth involving specialists from various fields to solve complex and non-trivial problems. For example, when migrating a database, it is advisable to keep a maintenance specialist on hand so that in the event of a malfunction or failure, he can quickly get involved in eliminating the consequences.

In addition, experienced server migration specialists in various business areas:

• will ensure that the migration process is maximally adapted to your IT infrastructure;
• will offer proven plans taking into account the specifics of your company and information systems, involved in it;
• taking into account the time allocated for the project, they will draw up an optimal roadmap for the migration of individual components, depending on their impact on the infrastructure;
• will prioritize in the right order the migration of such critical parts of information systems as directory services, network infrastructure, file services, security components, etc.;
• use a flexible approach to project implementation, which will allow the involvement of experts from various IT areas at all stages of the project: from survey to support;
• optimize the infrastructure, identify weaknesses and make recommendations for eliminating them.

FSTEC does not plan to certify Windows Server 2003 after 2017

The Federal Service for Technical and Export Control (FSTEC) does not intend to extend the validity of certificates of conformity for the operating systems Windows Server 2003 and Windows Server 2003 R2 after August 2017.

This is due to the fact that Microsoft will stop supporting and releasing updates for these OSs, including those aimed at eliminating errors and vulnerabilities, starting July 15, 2015.

As FSTEC notes, at present, a significant part of the certified versions of the Windows Server 2003 and Windows Server 2003 R2 operating systems continue to be used to protect confidential information (including personal data) in the information systems of federal bodies state power, public authorities of the subjects Russian Federation, local governments and organizations. This is due, among other things, to the presence of a large amount of specific application software developed for these operating systems, used to implement their powers by government bodies and organizations.

The cessation of release of OS updates, combined with the likely discovery of new vulnerabilities in them, is fraught with threats to the security of confidential information. In addition, FSTEC predicts increased interest in unprotected operating systems from hackers.

To date, three versions of the operating systems Windows Server 2003 and Windows Server 2003 R2 have been certified according to information security requirements in the FSTEC certification system of Russia; licenses were issued until August 5, 2017.

FSTEC recommends that organizations working on these systems take into account additional information security threats associated with the end of the OS update, and also plan measures to transfer information systems to operating systems certified according to information security requirements and supported by their manufacturers before August 2017.

FSTEC also advises installing all current mandatory certified updates for certified versions of the Windows Server 2003 and Windows Server 2003 R2 operating systems, released by Russian manufacturers, then establishing a ban on automatic OS updates, and, if possible, excluding connections to the Internet and to departmental (corporate) networks. computer equipment or segments of information systems running Windows Server 2003 and Windows Server 2003 R2 operating systems.

This article is devoted to the basics of the operating system. Here we will look at:

• Difference from previous versions;
• Editions of this OS;
• Installing Windows Server 2003;
• Server roles;
• Active Directory Basics;
• Command line functions;
• Setting up a remote desktop;
• Setting up a DHCP server.

Microsoft Windows Server 2003 is one of the most powerful server operating systems for PCs. Today there are newer versions of server operating systems, for example: Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2008 R2, but today we will talk about this operating system because... During this time it has become so popular among system administrators, and many of them still do not want to switch to newer versions of the OS. This OS implements completely new system management and administration tools that first appeared in Windows 2000. Here are some of them:

• Active Directory - An extensible and scalable directory service that uses a namespace based on the standard Internet Domain Naming Service ( Domain Name System, DNS);
• InteiUMirror — a configuration environment that supports mirroring of user data and environment settings, as well as central administration of software installation and maintenance;
• Terminal Services - Terminal Services, which enables remote logon and management of other Windows Server 2003 systems;
• Windows Script Host - Windows script server to automate common administrative tasks such as creating user accounts and reporting on event logs.

Although Windows Server 2003 has many other features, these four are the most important for performing administrative tasks. This applies to the maximum extent to Active Directory, so for successful work The Windows Server 2003 system administrator must clearly understand the structure and procedures of this service.

If you already have experience with Windows 2000 servers, upgrading to Windows Server 2003 will be relatively easy because it is the next step in updating the Windows 2000 platform and technologies.

You can find an extensive list of new features in many books on new systems. In fact, the list of changes in Windows Server 2003 compared to the previous version is quite large, and there are features that will interest almost every administrator.

In addition to its extensive list of new features, Windows Server 2003 is also exciting because it comes in 32-bit, 64-bit, and embedded ( embedded) options. However, the most important differences concern the four editions of the OS, which are listed below in order of functionality and, accordingly, price:

• Windows Server 2003 Web Edition;
• Windows Server 2003 Standard Edition;
• Windows Server 2003 Enterprise Edition;
• Windows Server 2003 Datacenter Edition.

Web Edition

To help Windows Server 2003 compete with other Web servers, Microsoft released a stripped-down but fully functional edition specifically for Web services. Feature set and licensing make it easy to deploy Web pages, Web sites, Web applications, and Web services.

Windows Server 2003 Web Edition supports 2 GB of RAM and dual-processor symmetric processing ( symmetric multiprocessor, SMP). This edition supports an unlimited number of anonymous Web connections, but only 10 incoming server message block connections ( server message block, SMB), and this is more than enough to publish content. Such a server cannot act as an Internet gateway, DHCP or fax server. Although the server can be managed remotely using Remote Desktop software, it cannot play the role of a terminal server in the traditional sense: it can belong to a domain, but cannot be a domain controller.

Standard Edition

This edition is a robust, feature-rich server that provides directory, file, print, application, multimedia and Web services for small and medium-sized businesses. Extensive ( compared to Windows 2000) the set of functions is supplemented by a number of components: MSDE ( Microsoft SQL Server Database Engine) - a version of SQL Server that supports five parallel connections to a database up to 2 GB in size; free pre-configured POP3 service ( Post Office Protocol v3), which together with the SMTP service ( Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) allows the node to play the role of a small stand-alone mail server; useful NLB tool ( Network Load Balancing), which was only present in Windows 2000 Advanced Server.

The Standard Edition supports up to 4 GB of RAM and four-processor SMP processing.

Enterprise Edition

Windows Server 2003 Enterprise Edition aims to be a powerful server platform for medium and large enterprises. Its enterprise features include support for eight processors, 32 GB of RAM, eight-node clustering including SAN-based clustering ( Storage Area Network, SAN) and geographically distributed clustering, plus compatibility with 64-bit computers based on Intel Itanium, which allows support for 64 GB of RAM and eight-processor SMP processing.
The following are other differences between the Enterprise Edition and the Standard Edition:

• MMS services support ( Microsoft Metadirectory Services), allowing you to combine directories, databases and files with the Active Directory directory service;
• « Hot» adding memory ( Hot Add Memory) - you can add memory to supported hardware systems without shutting down or rebooting;
• Windows System Resource Manager ( Windows System Resource Manager, WSRM), supporting the distribution of processor and memory resources between individual applications.

Datacenter Edition

The Datacenter Edition is available only as an OEM version, offered with high-end servers, and supports virtually unlimited scalability: for 32-bit platforms - 32-processor SMP processing and 64 GB of RAM, for 64-bit - 64 -processor SMP processing and 512 GB of RAM. There is also a version that supports 128-processor SMP processing based on two 64-processor sections.

64-bit editions

Compared to 32-bit editions, 64-bit editions of Windows Server 2003 running on Intel Itanium computers utilize processor speed more efficiently and perform faster floating point operations. Improvements in code and processing have significantly speeded up computing operations. Increased speed of access to a huge memory address space improves the performance of complex, resource-intensive applications, such as large database applications, research applications and high-load Web servers.

However, some features are not available in 64-bit editions. For example, 64-bit editions do not support 16-bit Windows applications, real-mode applications, POSIX applications, and print services for Apple Macintosh clients.

Installing and configuring Windows Server 2003

At Windows installation The Server2003 system is configured according to its role in the network. Servers typically become part of a workgroup or domain.

Working groups are loose associations of computers in which each computer is controlled independently.
As an administrator, you have undoubtedly spent a lot of time installing Windows platforms. The following are important features to consider when installing Windows Server 2003.

• Installation from bootable CD. Windows Server 2003 continues the tradition of installing from a CD. However, there is also an innovation: installation from floppy disks is no longer supported;
• Improved graphical user interface during installation. During installation, Windows Server 2003 uses a graphical user interface ( GUI), similar to the Windows XP interface. It more accurately describes the current state of the installation and the time remaining until it is completed;
• Product activation. Retail and trial versions of Windows Server 2003 require activation. Bulk licensing programs such as Open License, Select License or Enterprise Agreement do not require activation.

Once Windows is installed and activated, you can configure your server using the well-designed Manage this server page ( Manage Your Server), which automatically opens when you log in. This page simplifies the installation of some services, tools, and configurations depending on the server role. Click the Add or Remove Role button ( Add Or Remove A Role), the Server Configuration Wizard window will appear ( Configure Your Server Wizard).
If you select the Typical setup for the first server switch ( Typical Configuration For A First Server), the wizard will make the server a new domain controller, install Active Directory services and, if necessary, DNS services ( Domain Name Service), DHCP ( Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) and RRAS ( Routing And Remote Access).

If you select the Special configuration switch ( Custom Configuration), the wizard can configure the following roles.

• File server (File Server). Provides centralized access to files and directories for users, departments and the organization as a whole. Selecting this option allows you to manage user disk space by enabling and configuring disk quota controls and speed up file system searches by enabling the Indexing Service ( Indexing Service).
• Print server (Print Server). Provides centralized management of printing devices, giving client computers access to shared printers and their drivers. If you select this option, the Add Printer Wizard will launch ( Add Printer), which allows you to install printers and related drivers. Additionally, the wizard installs IIS 6.0 ( Internet Information Services), configures the IPP printing protocol ( Internet Printing Protocol) and Web-based printer management tools;
• Application Server IIS, ASP.NET (Application Server IIS, ASP.NET). Provides the infrastructure components that are required to support hosting Web applications. This role installs and configures IIS 6.0, ASP.NET and COM+;
• Mail Server POPZ, SMTP (mail server POP3, SMTP). Installs POP3 and SMTP so that the server can act as a mail server for POP3 clients;
• Terminal Server (Terminal Server). Allows multiple users to use the Terminal Services client software ( Terminal Services) or Remote Desktop Control ( Remote Desktop) connect to server applications and resources, such as printers or disk space, as if those resources were installed on their computers. Unlike Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003 provides Remote Desktop Control automatically. Terminal server roles are required only when you want to host applications for users on a terminal server;
• Remote access server or VPN server (Remote Access/VPN Server). Provides multi-protocol routing and remote access services for switched, local area (LAN) and wide area network (WAN) networks. Virtual private network ( virtual private network, VPN) provides a secure connection between the user and remote nodes via standard Internet connections;
• Active Directory Domain Controller (Domain Controller Active Directory). Provides directory services to network clients. This option allows you to create a new or existing domain controller and set DNS. If you select this role, the Active Directory Setup Wizard ( Active Directory Installation Wizard);
• DNS Server (DNS server). Provides hostname resolution: DNS names are resolved to IP addresses ( direct search) and back ( reverse search). If you select this option, the DNS service is installed and the Setup Wizard starts. DNS servers (Configure A DNS Server Wizard);
• DHCP server (DHCP Server). Provides automatic IP address allocation services to clients configured to dynamically obtain IP addresses. If you select this option, DHCP services are installed and the Create Realm Wizard ( New Scope Wizard), allowing you to define one or more ranges of IP addresses on the network;
• Media Streaming Server (Streaming Media Server). Provides WMS services ( Windows Media Services), which allow the server to stream multimedia data over the Internet. Content can be stored and delivered on demand or in real time. If you select this option, the WMS server is installed;
• WINS server (WINS Server). Provides computer name resolution by resolving NetBIOS names to IP addresses. Install the WINS service ( Windows Internet Name Service) is not required unless you support older operating systems such as Windows 95 or NT. Operating systems such as Windows 2000 and XP do not require WINS, although older applications running on these platforms may need to resolve NetBIOS names. If you select this option, the WINS server is installed.

Domain controllers and member servers

When installing Windows Server 2003, the system can be configured as a member server, a domain controller, or a standalone server. The differences between these types of servers are extremely important. Member servers are part of a domain but do not store directory information. Domain controllers store directory data and run authentication and directory services within the domain. Isolated servers are not part of a domain and have their own user database, so the isolated server also authenticates login requests.

Windows Server 2003 does not differentiate between primary and backup domain controllers because it supports a multi-master replication model. In this model, any domain controller can process directory changes and then automatically replicate them to other domain controllers. In Windows NT's single-master replication model, things don't work like that: the primary domain controller keeps the master copy of the directory, and the backup domain controllers keep copies of it. Additionally, Windows NT only distributes the Security Account Manager database ( security access manager, SAM), and Windows Server 2003 - an entire directory of information called the data store ( datastore). It contains collections of objects that represent user, group, and computer accounts, as well as shared resources such as servers, files, and printers.

Domains that use Active Directory services are called Active Directory domains to distinguish them from Windows NT domains. Although Active Directory only works with one domain controller, additional controllers can and should be created in a domain. If ONE controller fails, others can be used to perform authentication and other critical tasks.

In an Active Directory domain, any member server can be promoted to the level of a domain controller without reinstalling the OS, as required by Windows NT. To turn a member server into a controller, you just need to install the Active Directory component on it. The opposite effect is also possible: demoting a domain controller to a member server if it is not the last domain controller on the network. Here's how to promote or demote a server using the Active Directory Setup Wizard.

Command Line Functions

Windows Server 2003 has a ton of command line utilities. Many of them use the TCP/IP protocol, so you should install it first.
As an administrator, you should be familiar with the following command line utilities.

• ARP - Displays and manages the hardware-software address binding used by Windows Server 2003 to send data over a TCP/IP network;
• FTP— launches the built-in FTP client;
• HOSTNAME— displays the name of the local computer;
• IPCONFIG— displays TCP/IP properties for network adapters installed on the system. Also used to update and release addresses issued by the DHCP service;
• NBTSTAT— displays statistics and current connection for the NetBIOS protocol over TCP/IP;
• NET— displays a list of subcommands of the NET command;
• NETSH— displays and manages the network configuration of local and remote computers;
• NETSTAT— displays current TCP/Ip connections and protocol statistics;
• NSLOOKUP— checks the status of a host or IP address when used with DNS;
• PATHPING— checks network paths and displays information about lost packets;
• PING— tests the connection with a remote node;
• ROUTE— manages routing tables in the system;
• TRACERT- while quoted and I defines the network path to the remote node.

To learn how to use these tools, type the command name at the command prompt without parameters; in most cases, Windows Server 2003 will provide help on how to use it.

Using the NET Command

Most of the tasks associated with the NET command subcommands are easier to accomplish using graphical administration tools and Control Panel tools. However, these subcommands are useful for quickly performing some actions or for quickly obtaining information, especially during Telnet sessions with remote systems.

• NET SEND— sends messages to users registered in the specified system;
• NET START— starts a service in the system;
• NET STOP— stops a service in the system;
• NET TIME— displays the current system time or synchronizes the system time with another computer;
• NET USE— connects and disconnects from a shared resource;
• NET VIEW— displays a list of available network resources.

To learn how to use the NET command, type NET HELP followed by a subcommand name, such as NET HELP SEND. Windows Server 2003 will display the required help information

Creating a Remote Desktop Connection

As an administrator, you can create remote desktop connections to Windows servers and workstations. On Windows 2003 Server, this requires installing Terminal Services ( Terminal Services) and configure them for use in remote access mode. In Windows XP, Remote Desktop connections are allowed by default and all administrators automatically have access rights. In Windows Server 2003, Remote Desktop is installed automatically, but is disabled by default, and you must manually enable this feature.
Here is one way to create a remote desktop connection to a server or desktop.

1. Click Start ( Start), then Programs ( Programs) or All programs ( All Programs), then Standard ( Accessories), then Communication ( Communications), then Remote Desktop Connection. A dialog box of the same name will open;
2. In the Computer field ( Computer) enter the name of the computer you want to connect to. If you don't know the name, use the drop-down list provided or select the Browse For More option in the list to open a list of domains and computers in those domains;
3. By default, Windows Server 2003 uses the current username, domain, and password to log on to a remote computer. If you need another account's information, click Options and step through the fields. Username ( User Name), Password ( Password) and Domain ( Domain);
4. Click Connect ( Connect). Enter a password if required and click OK. If the connection is created successfully, you will see the remote desktop window of the selected computer and will be able to work with the resources of this computer. If the connection failed, check the information you entered and try again

With the Remote Desktop Connection command ( Remote Desktop Connection) is simple to work with, but it is inconvenient if you have to create remote connections with computers quite often. Instead, it is recommended to access the Remote Desktops console ( Remote Desktops). It allows you to set up connections to multiple systems and then easily switch from one connection to another.

Introduction to DHCP

DHCP - means centralized management allocation of IP addresses, but its functions are not limited to this. The DHCP server provides clients with the basic information necessary for the operation of a TCP/IP network: IP address, subnet mask, information about the default gateway, primary and secondary DNS and WINS servers, as well as the DNS domain name.

DHCP Client and IP Address

A computer with a dynamic IP address is called a DHCP client. When the computer boots, the DHCP client requests an IP address from the pool of addresses allocated to that DHCP server and uses the address for a certain amount of time, called the lease period ( lease). After approximately half of this period, the client attempts to renew the lease and repeats these attempts until the renewal is successful or the lease expires. If the lease renewal fails, the client contacts another DHCP server. If the client successfully contacts the server, but its current IP address cannot be renewed, the DHCP server assigns a new IP address to the client.

The DHCP server usually does not affect the boot or login process. Loading a DHCP client and registering a user on the local system is possible even when the DHCP server is not running.

When the DHCP client starts, it tries to find a DHCP server. If this succeeds, the client receives the necessary configuration information from the server. If the DHCP server is unavailable and the client's lease has not yet expired, the client uses Ping to poll the standard gateway specified when receiving the lease. If successful, the client believes that he is probably on the same network he was on when he received the lease, and continues to use it. A failed poll means the client may be on a different network. Then autoconfiguration is applied. The client also resorts to it if the DHCP server is unavailable and the lease has expired.

Installing a DHCP Server

Dynamic allocation of IP addresses is only possible if there is a DHCP server on the network. DHCP components are installed using the Windows Component Installation Wizard, and the server is launched and authorized from the DHCP console. Only authorized DHCP servers can provide clients with dynamic IP addresses.

Installing DHCP Components

To enable a server running Microsoft Windows Server 2003 to act as a DHCP server, follow these steps:

1. In the Start menu ( Start) select Programs ( Programs) or All programs (All Programs), then click Administration ( Administrative Tools) and Server Configuration Wizard.
2. Click Next twice ( Next). The current server roles appear. Select the DHCP Server role and click Next twice. The wizard will install DHCP and launch the Create Realm Wizard;
3. If you want to immediately create the initial scope for the DHCP server, click Next ( Next) and follow the steps listed in the “ Managing DHCP scopes" Otherwise, click Cancel ( Cancel) and create the required areas later.
4. Click Finish ( Finish). To use the server, you must authorize it in the domain, as described in the section Authorizing a DHCP Server in Active Directory. Next, you need to create and enable all the necessary DHCP scopes.

After installing the DHCP server, dynamic IP addressing is configured and managed from the DHCP console. The command to run it is located in the Administration menu ( Administrative Tools). The main window of the DHCP console has two panels. On the left, all DHCP servers in the domain are listed by IP address, including the local computer if the window is open on the DHCP server. On the right is detailed information about the selected object.

That’s probably all I wanted to tell you about the basics of the Microsoft Windows Server 2003 operating system.

I wish you good luck in mastering this OS.

So, you have successfully installed the Windows Server 2003 operating system on your computer (you can read about the installation process). There's a fun setup process ahead, which you can easily accomplish with the help of this illustrated guide. Of course, you are free to choose the order of these procedures, but here they are presented in the optimal sequence, allowing you to achieve your goal in the shortest possible way. Let's get started.

First of all, let's disable the password request when logging in. In the "Start" menu, select "Run" and enter the command control userpasswords2:

The dialog " Accounts users", in which you need to uncheck the "Require username and password" checkbox:

After clicking OK, the system will ask for the current (valid) password.

The Windows 2003 security policy provides control over machine reboots and shutdowns. In everyday life this is unnecessary, so let's disable this function. Using the method described above, we issue the command gpedit.msc:

The MMC console will open, in which you need to find the option “Display event tracking dialog”. Look at the screenshot where to look for it:

It should be given the "Disabled" state.

You won't be able to just use additional storage devices such as USB Flash drives. They need to be forced to assign free letters from "Disk Management". However, you can enable the automatic volume mounting feature. Type diskpart

A command line will open in which you should type automount enable:

After pressing Enter a confirmation will appear

The automount parameter first appeared in Windows Server 2003. Do not try to set it in Windows XP, it will not work.

For convenience, you can disable driver signature verification. This is done from the "System Properties" dialog, which can be called up by pressing the key combination WIN+Break

Disabling the scan is done by selecting the appropriate item and pressing OK.

It should be remembered that this action carries a certain risk, which may lead to unstable operation of the equipment.

If you have an expensive or slow Internet connection, it may be wise to skip Windows Update services.

Select "Never use Windows Update to find drivers" and click OK.

After clicking on the "Options" button, we get to "Performance Options", where on the "Visual Effects" tab you can configure appearance. Experience shows that using the items "Using typical folder tasks"

",Casting shadows of icons on the desktop", ",Display window contents when dragging", and "Displaying a transparent rectangle when selecting", creates additional comfort when working without causing a noticeable decrease in performance.

After clicking the "Apply" button, go to the "Advanced" tab, where the main performance management parameters are located.

In the section "CPU time allocation", the choice should be made in favor of programs. For the “Memory Usage” section, not everything is so simple. For systems with a small amount of RAM, it is recommended to optimize the operation of programs. If the memory is 512 MB or more, it may be worth optimizing the system cache. In this case, switching between applications will be faster.

Let's go to the "Data Execution Prevention" tab. If you are experiencing problems with applications that cause "Memory cannot be read" messages, select "Turn on DEP for essential Windows programs and services only"

Using the "Error Reporting" function on a home computer running Windows Server 2003 is, to put it mildly, questionable...

You can disable the function like this:

Very different attitudes of users towards automatic system updates. Typically, users who do not have unlimited access to the Internet disable this function. We also adhere to this opinion. "System Properties", tab "Automatic Updates",

Now let's look at the desktop and screen settings. Right-click on the desktop to call up the context menu, in which we select “Properties”. Next, let's go to the "Screen" tab.

Using the "Desktop Settings" button, we will open a new dialog.

In it we will mark those elements whose presence on the desktop we need.

By going to the “Screensaver” tab, you should uncheck the “Password protection” checkbox if you don’t want to enter this same password again every time after several minutes of inactivity.

The "Power" button will open the energy saving settings.

In many cases, they can be skipped by owners of desktop computers, but if you have a laptop, a visit is required.

On the "Sleep mode" tab, check the box if necessary.

After that, return to the “Advanced” tab and uncheck the “Request a password when resuming from sleep mode” option that appears.

On the "Power Schemes" tab, make settings according to your needs. Clicking the OK button will take us back to the screen properties settings. Let's go to the "Options" tab, and then click on the "Advanced" button.

Attention! This is a very important part of the setup. If you skip it, you will not be able to use your computer’s video card to its full potential. Open the “Diagnostics” tab and set the “Hardware acceleration” slider to maximum.

In addition to hardware acceleration itself, thanks to this procedure, the video card settings become available to us; you will be able to see them later, after installing the drivers.

By default, Internet Explorer is configured quite aggressively. On a network server this is justified, since it reduces the risk of virus infection and hacker attacks, but for everyday use it is unacceptable. Therefore, you should remove the Enhanced Security Configuration. From the Control Panel, open "Add or Remove Programs".

By clicking the "Install Windows Components" button, we get a window for selecting components. Uncheck "Internet Explorer Enhanced Security Configuration"

What's next? For many programs, the presence of certain libraries that are not initially present in the system turns out to be critical. We recommend that you immediately, so as not to experience difficulties later, install the following components available for download (link):

If you want to install themes from other (non-Microsoft) manufacturers, you will need the following file to replace the existing one:

(dll files are installed by simply copying them to the %SYSTEMROOT%\System32 directory)
Today it’s just as difficult to do without the .NET Framework, so let’s install it too:

The latest version of NET.Framework 3.5 SP1 can be downloaded.
If you need support for version 4 of NET.Framework, download it.

Now you can install device drivers. Please note that not all equipment officially supports server systems, so if during the installation of drivers you encounter a message of this type

just click the "Yes" button. As a rule, there are no problems after this.

From the "Start" menu, go to administration, where select "Services". The corresponding equipment will open. You need to run Windows Audio, the Image Upload Service (WIA), and, if you want to use XP themes, the Themes service. How to do this can be seen below:

Finally, you need to enable DirectX acceleration. Type dxdiag in the "Run" dialog, after which the "DirectX Diagnostic Tool" will open, in which you need to go to the "Display" tab.

Press successively on all available acceleration buttons. Go to the "Sound" tab, where you enable full hardware audio acceleration.

Now in the Control Panel, find "Sounds and Audio Devices". Check the "Show icon in taskbar" checkbox.

The setup is complete.

When installing programs that are not intended for server platforms, you may encounter certain difficulties. As one of the possible solutions, you can try the NTSwitch utility, which makes changes in the system that mislead the program installer. Most likely, a custom boot will follow, then boot the computer in safe mode and install the program. Then put the system back into server mode. Attention! This is a violation of the license agreement! In addition, this action can lead to complete inoperability of the OS! Proceed at your own risk!

Solving problems with transferring an already installed system to new equipment is described in the article

Introduction and some facts While the entire global IT community awaits the release of the long-awaited Windows 2003 operating system, we will lift the curtain on what exactly this product is, what delivery options it has, and what components it contains. There is nothing special to invent here, so I compiled this material based on information received from Microsoft itself (press release from the Russian representative office), as well as thanks to the work of Paul Tarrott, the leading site Winsupersite.com, who systematized in a table some of the possibilities of various delivery options for the Windows system Server 2003. So, let's get started...

On March 28, 2003, Microsoft announced the start of replication of Windows Server. Microsoft Windows Server 2003 is an integrated server platform that allows customers to increase the efficiency of their IT infrastructure by 30 percent. The new OS successfully passed a serious test using a new testing program, which included a thorough line-by-line audit of the system code. This OS has a number of functions that provide increased reliability and security of the product. The new server platform is already widely supported by partners: by the time Windows Server 2003 is officially released, scheduled for April 24, 2003, more than 70,000 Microsoft partners will be ready to promote, implement and maintain this system. More than 550,000 customers - the largest number in the history of Microsoft server operating systems - took part in the system's preliminary testing program.

"Our challenge was to create a system that would provide unparalleled quality and performance, a system that would perfectly meet the needs of any size company," said Bill Veghte, division vice president. "Preview participants confirm that Windows Server 2003 meets their expectations by delivering lower total cost of ownership, superior performance and reliability. The quality of the Windows Server 2003 server operating system is largely due to the contributions made by our partners and customers."

30% increase in IT infrastructure efficiency

Windows Server 2003 offers improved scalability, reliability, security, and manageability. These qualities, combined with a number of innovative technical solutions used to create this OS, allow customers to significantly reduce costs and increase productivity. Below are some of the results that have been achieved for customers who are already using this system.

Consolidation: the total number of servers can be reduced by 20-30%.

Performance: Up to 2x faster performance under any workload.

Maintenance: 20% reduction in overall maintenance costs.

Productivity: 35% of customers were able to free up IT staff to work on more important projects.

Implementation: Implementation costs are 35% lower than Windows NT Server 4.0.

Windows NT Server 4.0 users will especially benefit from migrating to Windows Server 2003, with up to 100 times more scalability and 10 times lower transaction costs than Windows NT Server 4.0. Additionally, these users will benefit from a 40% increase in stability thanks to a robust driver model, as well as system recovery features designed to ensure maximum system performance.

"We are building a reliable, automated system that is secure, stable and manageable," said Ron Brahm, Global Infrastructure program manager for GE Medical Systems. "By moving to Windows Server 2003, we will be able to centrally manage our system and give ourselves greater flexibility."

High performance on any task

The high performance and scalability of Windows Server 2003 allows you to use this system to solve any server tasks: it can be used to support the operation of a database server, application server, Web server, file server, print server, directory service or terminal service. Recent benchmark results, including the widely acclaimed Transaction Processing Performance Council (TPC) TPC-C, TPC-H, and TPC-W tests, have demonstrated that the combination of Windows Server 2003 and SQL Server 2000 outperforms all competitors.

The 64-bit version of Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Enterprise Edition, also announced on March 28, 2003, provides even greater scalability and performance. The 64-bit version of SQL Server 2000 was designed to support memory-intensive, high-performance applications running on 64-bit Windows Server 2003. This version provides particularly high performance on 64-processor systems based on Intel Itanium 2 processors.

The highest quality Windows server OS

As part of its secure information systems program, Microsoft spent approximately $200 million to train 13,000 of its employees in new development technologies aimed at ensuring maximum security, introducing new technological processes and conducting complete line-by-line Windows analysis Server 2003 from a security point of view. Thus, a highly secure system was created.

“Having personally been involved in the development of every version of Windows Server, I can say that it is the most secure, reliable and performant server OS we have ever created,” said Dave Thompson, vice president of the Windows Server Products group. "Microsoft Corporation. "The reliability and performance of Windows Server 2003 was tested through an unprecedentedly extensive pre-production testing program. It was a long but productive process, and I am very proud of all the people involved in creating this great product."

Throughout the development process, Microsoft continually relied on a large number of independent testers and companies participating in the pre-production testing program. User communities created within the framework of the Joint Development Program, Customer Preview Program and Rapid Adoption Program were also involved in organizing a fruitful dialogue between developers and customers. In addition, Microsoft pioneered the use of the innovative Enterprise Engineering Center (EEC) program, which provides hands-on testing across heterogeneous customer systems.

Windows Media 9, included with Windows Server 2003, is now used to support a number of large Web sites and subscription services. Pre-release versions of this server platform have already delivered more than 300 terabytes of news, sports information, music and video to users.

The release of the Windows Server 2003 code masters marks the end of a three-year development cycle that involved more than 5,000 people and produced more than 650 innovative technology solutions.

Official presentation of Windows Server 2003

Microsoft plans to make the official announcement of the release of Windows Server 2003, Visual Studio .NET 2003 and SQL Server 2000 Enterprise Edition (64-bit) on April 24, 2003 at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium in San Francisco. Visual Studio .NET 2003, combined with Windows Server 2003, provides a robust platform for quickly building trouble-free, scalable networking solutions.

Delivery options and approximate prices

The Windows Server family includes the following systems:

Windows Server 2003 Datacenter Edition;

Windows Server 2003 Datacenter Edition for 64-bit Itanium 2-based systems;

Windows Server 2003 Enterprise Edition;

Windows Server 2003 Enterprise Edition for 64-bit Itanium 2-based systems;

Windows Server 2003 Standard Edition;

Windows Server 2003 Web Edition;

Windows Small Business Server 2003 (planned for release in the third quarter of 2003).

Comparison of different Windows Server 2003 options

Component or Feature	Web	Standard	Enterprise	Datacenter	Enterprise 64bit	Datacenter 64 bit
Compatible with 32-bit Intel x86 systems	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Compatible with 64-bit Itanium systems					Yes	Yes
Maximum number of CPUs	2	4	8	32	8	64
Maximum amount of RAM	2 GB	4 GB	32 GB	64 GB	64 GB	512 GB
Hot add memory support			Yes	Yes
NUMA (Non-Uniform Memory Access) support			Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Distributed File System (DFS)	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Encrypting File System (EFS)	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Shadow Copy Restore (Win 2000 or Win XP client required)	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Support for removable and remote data storage		Replaceable only	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Fax services		Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Services for Macintosh		Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
IntelliMirror Technologies	Partially	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Group Policy Results	Partially	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) Command Line	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Support for remote installation from an image	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Remote Installation Services (RIS)		Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Windows System Resource Manager (WSRM)		Yes	Yes		Yes
Can act as an Active Directory member server	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Can act as Active Directory domain controller (DC)		Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Metadirectory Services (MMS) support			Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Internet Connection Firewall (ICF)	Yes	Yes	Yes		Yes
Public Key Infrastructure (PKI), Certificate Services, Smart Card support	Partially	Partially	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Includes Terminal Server		Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Includes Terminal Server Session Directory			Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Administration via Remote Desktop	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Virtual Private Networking (VPN) support	Partially	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Maximum number of VPN clients	1	1000	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited
Internet Authentication Service (IAS)		Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Network bridging support		Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Internet Connection Sharing (ICS)		Yes	Yes		Yes
IPv6 support	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Network Load Balancing (NLB)	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Cluster Service			Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Maximum number of cluster nodes			8	8	8	8
Includes .NET Framework	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Internet Information Services (IIS) 6.0	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Default IIS installation	Yes
Includes ASP.NET	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Enterprise UDDI Services		Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Includes Windows Media Services 9 Series		Yes	Yes	Yes

And now - approximate prices for various system options:

Windows Server 2003 Pricing

Connectors Price in US$Description
Windows Server 2003, External Connector License $1.999 ** Optional additional server license for external Windows users Server 2003
Windows Server 2003, Terminal Server External Connector License $7.999 ** Optional additional server license for external users of Windows Server 2003 Terminal Server

* - Windows Server 2003, Web Edition: the system will not be available in mass quantities, to purchase this version you will need to contact your local System Builder, OEM supplier or reseller to find out the details of the purchase.

** - Available only under the Volume Licensing program. For details, contact your local Microsoft product reseller.

Prospects for 64-bit platforms

Windows XP 64-bit Edition Version 2003 desktop operating system provides support for workstations based on the Intel Itanium 2 processor.

Microsoft also announced on March 28, 2003 the launch of the 64-bit Microsoft Windows XP 64-Bit Edition Version 2003 operating system. This OS is optimized to work with Intel Itanium 2 processors and allows customers to take full advantage of these high-performance chips.

Windows XP 64-Bit Edition Version 2003 is a high-performance desktop platform that supports a new generation of powerful Windows applications built on Itanium 2 processors. The new OS is aimed at users who perform complex scientific calculations, work with high-performance design and engineering applications, and create 3D animation and video.

"We are committed to expanding support for 64-bit desktop systems," said Brian Valentine, senior vice president of Windows Products at Microsoft. "Windows XP 64-Bit Edition Version 2003 will allow customers to use one and the same platform to run both complex technical applications and a wide range of Windows office software."

Windows 64-bit architecture allows developers to build 64-bit applications using well-established Windows programming techniques, reducing the time it takes to develop applications that take advantage of the 64-bit platform. Collaboration between Microsoft and Intel in the field of 64-bit systems began in 1996. In 2001, Microsoft released Windows XP 64-bit Edition, a 64-bit desktop OS with support for first-generation Itanium processors.

The new OS was released alongside a number of products in the Windows Server 2003 family, including Windows Server 2003 Datacenter Edition and Windows Server 2003 Enterprise Edition for 64-bit Itanium 2-based systems. Microsoft plans to make an official announcement of these products on April 24 at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium in San Francisco. Developers can obtain Windows XP 64-Bit Edition Version 2003 now through MSDN. Users will be able to purchase the new OS through PC manufacturers starting in the second quarter of this year.

Conclusion

Here is a brief presentation of the system from those who developed and tested it. I think the final opinion about the system will be formed later, but I would still like to point out one fact: the long process of creating Windows Server 2003 is determined primarily by its careful “running in”, catching and correcting found errors, inconsistencies and “loopholes” in the security system . I personally used the actually working current (at that time) beta version of the Windows Server 2003 platform back in November 2001! So you can imagine how much time the product was tested and perfected...