Windows Server 2003 R2 Standard Edition, takes the best of Windows 2000 Server technology and makes it easier to deploy, manage, and use. The result is a highly productive operating system that is more secure, reliable, highly available, and scalable.

At a high level, Windows Server 2003 R2 Standard Edition, provides support for:

• Advanced networking features such as Internet Authentication Service (IAS), the Network Bridge feature, and Internet Connection Sharing (ICS).
• Four-way symmetric multiprocessing (SMP).
• 4 gigabytes (GB) of RAM.

Built for Dependability

Run Your Business on the Most Solid Server Operating System Microsoft Has Ever Released

Today's organizations expect technology to be a consistent enabler of business value. They want systems that are always up and always responsive, and they demand a level of security able to meet today's challenges. Windows Server 2003 R2 Standard Edition, includes new features and improvements that make it the most dependable small business and departmental server operating system Microsoft has ever created.

Windows Server 2003 R2 Standard Edition, improves on many technologies introduced in Windows 2000 Server, such as support for smart cards, bandwidth throttling, and Plug and Play support. New technologies, such as the common language runtime, strengthen security to help safeguard networks from malicious or poorly designed code. In addition, improvements to Internet Information Services (IIS) 6.0, public key infrastructure (PKI), and Kerberos make it easier to secure Windows Server 2003.

The Active Directory service is now faster and more robust over unreliable wide area network (WAN) connections, thanks to more efficient synchronization, replication, and credential caching in branch office domain controllers.

Key Dependability Features

Here are some of the key features responsible for the increased dependability of Windows Server 2003:

• XML Web services. IIS 6.0 security settings are enforced during setup by default to ensure that only required services are running. This change from earlier versions significantly reduces initial security risks. Using the IIS Security Lockdown wizard, server functionality is enabled or disabled based on the administrator's requirements.
• Directory services. Active Directory security settings for users and network resources span from the core to the edge of the network, helping you make a secure end-to-end network a reality.
• Update management. The Auto Update feature provides the ability to systematically download critical operating system updates, such as security fixes and security patches. Administrators select when to install these critical operating system updates.
• Internet firewall. Connecting to the Internet is more secure with the built-in Internet Connection Firewall. The integration of an Internet Firewall in the operating system also reduces capital costs necessary to connect to the Internet.
• Remote access. Dial-up users can be quarantined via administrator policy. They can be prevented from accessing the network until their system is verified to have administrator-specified software, such as virus detection updates.
• Server hardware support. Driver verifiers check new device drivers to help keep the server up and running.
• Application verification. Applications running on Windows Server 2003 can be tested and verified using the Application Verifier tool, which detects subtle discrepancies, such as software heap corruptions and compatibility issues.
• File services. Windows Server 2003 performance has increased considerably since Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 and Windows 2000 Server.
• Assisted support. Microsoft incident submission and management allows users to submit electronic support incidents to Microsoft, collaborate with support engineers, and manage submitted incidents from Windows Server 2003.
• Server event tracking. Administrators can create accurate reports of uptime using the new server shutdown tracker, which records Windows events for server shutdowns in a log file.

Built for Productivity

Improve Employee Communication and Collaboration Across Your Business

Organizations look to computing technology to improve productivity across their businesses