Windows Server 2008

Windows Server 2008 Standard

Windows Server 2008 Standard is the most robust Windows Server operating system to date. With built-in, enhanced Web and virtualisation capabilities, it is designed to increase the reliability and flexibility of your server infrastructure while helping save time and reduce costs. Powerful tools give you greater control over your servers, and streamline configuration and management tasks. Plus, enhanced security features work to harden the operating system to help protect your data and network and provide a solid, highly dependable foundation for your business.

Windows Server 2008 Enterprise

Windows Server 2008 Enterprise delivers an enterprise-class platform for deploying business-critical applications. Help improve availability with clustering and hot-add processor capabilities. Help improve security with consolidated identity management features. Reduce infrastructure costs by consolidating applications with virtualisation licensing rights. Windows Server 2008 Enterprise provides the foundation for a highly dynamic, scalable IT infrastructure.

Windows Server 2008 Data Centre

Windows Server 2008 Datacenter delivers an enterprise-class platform for deploying business-critical applications and large-scale virtualisation on small and large servers. Improve availability with clustering and dynamic hardware partitioning capabilities. Reduce infrastructure costs by consolidating applications with unlimited virtualisation licensing rights. Scale from 2 to 64 processors. Windows Server 2008 Datacenter provides a foundation on which to build enterprise-class virtualisation and scale-up solutions.

Windows Server 2008 Web Server

Designed to be used specifically as a single-purpose Web server, Windows Web Server 2008 delivers on a rock-solid foundation of Web infrastructure capabilities in the next-generation Windows Server 2008. Integrated with the newly re-architected IIS 7.0, ASP.NET, and the Microsoft .NET Framework, Windows Web Server 2008 enables any organisation to rapidly deploy Web pages, Web sites, Web applications, and Web services.

Windows Server 2008 Itanium Based System

Windows Server 2008 for Itanium-based Systems is optimised for large databases, line of business, and custom applications providing high availability and scalability for up to 64 processors to meet the needs of demanding and mission-critical solutions.

Windows HPC Server 2008

Windows HPC Server 2008, the next generation of high-performance computing (HPC), provides enterprise-class tools for a highly productive HPC environment. Built on Windows Server 2008, 64-bit technology, Windows HPC Server 2008 can efficiently scale to thousands of processing cores and includes management consoles that help you to proactively monitor and maintain system health and stability. Job scheduling interoperability and flexibility enables integration between Windows and Linux based HPC platforms, and supports batch and service oriented application (SOA) workloads. Enhanced productivity, scalable performance, and ease of use are some of the features that make Windows HPC Server 2008 best-of-breed for Windows environments.

Solid Foundation

• Initial Configuration Tasks moves interactive elements of setup to after installation, eliminating the need for the administrator to interact with the installation of the operating system.
• Server Manager, the expanded Microsoft Management Console (MMC), provides a one-stop interface for server configuration and monitoring with wizards to streamline common server management tasks.
• Windows PowerShell, a new optional command-line shell and scripting language, enables administrators to automate routine system administration tasks across multiple servers.
• Windows Reliability and Performance Monitor provides powerful diagnostic tools to give you ongoing visibility into your server environment, both physical and virtual, to pinpoint and resolve issues quickly.
• Optimised server administration and data replication for increased control over servers located in remote locations, such as a branch office.
• Componentised Server Core installation option allows minimal installations where only the server roles and features you need are installed, reducing maintenance needs and decreasing the available attack surface of the server.
• Windows Deployment Services (WDS) provides a simplified, highly secure means of rapidly deploying Windows operating systems to computers by using network-based installation.
• Failover clustering wizards make it easy for even IT generalists to implement high-availability solutions, Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6) is now fully integrated, and geographically dispersed cluster nodes no longer need to be on the same IP subnet or configured with complicated Virtual Local Area Networks (VLANs).
• Network Load Balancing (NLB) now supports IPv6 and includes multiple dedicated IP address support which allows multiple applications to be hosted on the same NLB cluster.
• Windows Server Backup incorporates faster backup technology and simplifies data or operating system restoration.

Virtualisation

• Windows Server 2008 Hyper-V allows you to virtualise server roles as separate virtual machines (VMs) running on a single physical machine, without the need to buy third-party software.
• Multiple operating systems–Windows, Linux, and others –can be deployed in parallel on a single server using Hyper-V.
• New deployment options allow you to deploy the most suitable virtualisation methods for your environment.
• Support for the latest hardware-assisted virtualisation technologies allows virtualisation of very demanding workloads.
• New storage features, such as pass-through disk access and dynamic storage addition, allow VMs more access to data, and give external programs and services more access to data stored on VMs.
• Clustering of Windows Server virtualisation (WSv) hosts or VMs running on WSv hosts and backup of VMs while they are running keep your virtualised servers highly available.
• New management tools and performance counters make the virtualised environment easier to manage and monitor.
• Terminal Services (TS) RemoteApp and TS Web Access allow programs that are accessed remotely to be opened with just one click and appear as if they are running seamlessly on the end user's local computer.
• TS Gateway helps provide secure remote access to Windows-based programs through firewalls – without the need for a virtual private network (VPN).
• TS Licensing Manager adds the ability to track the issuance of TS per User Client Access Licenses (CALs). Built into Windows Server 2008, TS Licensing is a low-impact service the enables centralised administration, tracking, reporting, and efficient purchasing of TS per User CALs.

Web

• Modular design and installation options allow installation of only the features needed, reducing attack surfaces and making patch management easier.
• IIS Manager, a new task-based management interface, plus a new appcmd.exe command-line tool make administration easier.
• Cross-site deployment allows you to easily copy Web site settings across multiple Web servers without additional configuration.
• Delegated administration of applications and sites lets you give control to different parts of the Web server to those who need it.
• Integrated Web server health management with comprehensive diagnostic and troubleshooting tools allow easy visibility and tracking of requests running on the Web server.
• Programmatic access to configuration stores through WM or Microsoft.Web.Administration, a new management API that enables editing the XML configuration files for your Web server, sites, or applications.
• Enhanced application pool isolation keeps sites and applications isolated from each other for greater security and stability.
• Fast CGI support to reliably run PHP apps, Perl scripts, and Ruby applications.
• Tighter integration with ASP.NET features and one configuration store for all Web platform configuration settings across IIS 7.0 and ASP.NET.
• A flexible extensibility model enables customisation such as the addition of new modules using either native or managed code.

Security

• Security Configuration Wizard (SCW) helps administrators configure the operating system for the server roles being deployed to reduce the attack surface area, resulting in a more robust and more secure server environment.
• Integrated Expanded Group Policy enables efficient creation and management of Group Policies while expanding the number of areas that can be securely managed with policy.
• Network Access Protection helps ensure your network and systems aren’t compromised by unhealthy computers, isolating and/or remediating those computers that don't comply with the security policies you set.
• User Account Control provides a new authentication architecture for protection against malicious software.
• Cryptography Next Generation (CNG) , Microsoft's new core cryptographic API, provides better cryptographic flexibility by supporting standard as well as customer-defined cryptographic algorithms, and enables more efficient creation, storage, and retrieval of cryptographic keys.
• Read Only Domain Controller (RODC) allows a more secure method for local authentication of users in remote and branch office locations using a read-only replica of your primary AD database.
• Active Directory Federation Services (AD FS) enables trust relationships to be more easily established between partners with different identity and access directories running on different networks, enabling secure single sign ons (SSOs) to each other's networks.
• Active Directory Certificate Services (AD CS) delivers several enhancements to the Windows Server 2008 Public Key Infrastructure (PKI), including PKIView for monitoring the health of Certification Authorities (CAs) and a new, more secure COM control for certificate Web enrollment in place of ActiveX.
• Active Directory Rights Management Services (AD RMS) together with RMS-enabled applications helps you safeguard your company's digital information from authorised users more easily.
• BitLocker Drive Encryption provides enhanced protection against data theft and exposure of server hardware if lost or stolen, and it provides more secure data deletion when your servers are eventually decommissioned.

Virtualisation

With Hyper-V a single physical server can run multiple virtual servers. This helps improve the server resource usage and administration.

TS RemoteApp

Terminal Services RemoteApp provides users access to applications in a terminal server session as opposed to a whole desktop. This means only the application window information is sent to the client therefore requiring fewer resources client side and reducing deployment expenses.

Server Core

The server core is a minimal installation option when the server is to perform one or a few dedicated server roles. This therefore reduces the system footprint on unnecessary software allowing the server to make better use of the hardware. Security risks are also reduced, there are fewer software components requiring patches and fewer potential security holes.

IIS 7.0

Internet Information Services 7 makes it easier for Web site administrators to provide more advanced content such as streaming media and Web applications, written in either ASP or PHP. The modular design reduces security concerns and can improve the efficiency of the Web server as needless components are removed. With improved diagnostics and trouble shooting it is easier than ever to find and fix problems in your Web application and Web site.

New TCP/IP Stack

The modified TCP/IP included in Windows Server 2008 greatly improves performance for users in remote locations connected through WAN, offering faster throughput and more efficient routing of network traffic. Using Windows Server 2008 with Windows Vista in a branch office scenario can provide as much as a threefold improvement in throughput over the WAN connection.

NAP

Network Access Protection makes sure client machines that connect to the network conform with the network security policy and verify the health of connecting computers.

High Availability Features

With support for failover clusters, Network Load Balancing, dynamic hardware partitioning, robust storage options, and advanced machine-check architecture, Windows Server 2008 helps businesses keep their network available and reliable.

Active Directory Federated Rights Management

Rights Management Services allow businesses to control the usage of documents, such as who can view them, forward them, or delete them. This can apply not only within a business, but externally too.

Connecting Heterogeneous Environments

Windows Server 2008 includes Subsystem for UNIX-based Applications (SUA), a multi-user UNIX environment that supports more than 300 UNIX commands, utilities, and shell scripts. Users can have one user name and password with both Windows and UNIX systems, synchronising the credentials automatically when one changes.

Enabling Top-Shelf Service and Support for Remote Sites

Windows Server 2008 contains remote management allowing administrators to correct many problems by connecting in to client machines from an external location. Secondly, the new Read-Only Domain Controller provides a safer way to provide Active Domain administration in a remote infrastructure.

Server Manager and PowerShell

The new Server Manager Console allows for managing a server’s setup, system information, displaying important system status information, problem identification and a central point to manage all the server’s roles. PowerShell, another new feature found in Windows Server 2008, is an advanced command-line shell and scripting language designed for automation. The Server Manager Console integrates with PowerShell to help administrators write scripts and allow them to record actions from the management console and save them into a script.

Windows Server 2008 Standard:

The Windows Server 2008 Standard edition is licensed per server and additionally requires the use of Device and/or User CALs for client access and optionally External Connector licences for non-employee client access. You may run one instance of the server software in the physical operating system environment (POSE) and one instance of the server software in a virtual operating system environment (VOSE). When running both instances, the instance of the server software running in the POSE may only be used to manage and service the operating system environments on the server. You may move instances of the server software to a server that is already properly licensed to support such added instance(s).

Windows Server 2008 Enterprise:

The Windows Server 2008 Enterprise edition is licensed per server and additionally requires the use of Device and/or User CALs for client access and optionally External Connector licences for non-employee client access. You may run one instance of the server software in the POSE and up to four instances of the server software in VOSEs. When running all five instances, the instance of the server software running in the POSE may only be used to manage and service the operating system environments on the server. You may move instances of the server software to a server that is already properly licensed to support such added instance(s).

Windows Web Server 2008:

Single purpose Web server software, only for deploying Web pages, Web applications, Web services, Web sites, and POP3 mail serving. Server licence only and no CALs required. Now allows any type of database on the server with no limit on the number of supported users. The database software may only support web applications that are running on the same local instance of Web Server 2008. Must be a front-end server and Internet-accessible.

Windows Server 2008 Datacenter and Windows Server 2008 for Itanium-based Systems:

Windows Server 2008 Datacenter edition is licensed on a per processor basis and additionally requires the use of Device and/or User CALs for client access and optionally External Connector licences for non-employee client access.
The Datacenter Server licence permits an unlimited number of virtualized instances of Windows Server on processors licensed with Windows Server 2008 Datacenter without purchasing additional licenses. The use rights also allow the choice of running Windows Server 2008 (or previous version) Standard, Enterprise, and Datacenter in the virtual instances.
Windows Server 2008 for Itanium-based Systems is also licensed per processor and is mostly similar to the Datacenter edition. The exception is that in the unlimited number of virtualized instances of Windows Server, the client is licensed only to install instances of the Windows Server 2008 for Itanium-based Systems.
For Volume Licence customers, the actual licence may also be reassigned to another server every 90 days.

Client Access licensing:

Every user or device that directly or indirectly accesses or uses instances of the Windows Server 2008 server software requires the purchase of a Windows Server 2008 Client Access Licence (Windows Server CAL) except under the following circumstances:

• Access to services is through the Internet only and individuals are not authenticated
• Access is to Windows Web Server 2008
• Authenticated external users connect through the Internet and an external connector licence has been purchased
• For each licence, up to two devices or users may access your instances of the server software but only to administer those instances

There are two types of Windows Client Access Licenses from which to choose: device-based or user-based, also known as Windows Device CALs or Windows User CALs. This means you can choose to acquire a Windows CAL for every device (used by any user) accessing your servers, or you can choose to acquire a Windows CAL for every named user accessing your servers (from any device).
The option to choose between the two types of Windows CALs offers you the flexibility to use the licensing that best suits the needs of your organization. For example:

• Windows Device CALs might make most economic and administrative sense for an organization with multiple users for one device, such as shift workers.
• Whereas, Windows User CALs might make most sense for an organization with many employees who need access to the corporate network from unknown devices (for example, when traveling) and/or an organization with employees who access the network from multiple devices.

A Terminal Services 2008 CAL is required, in addition to a Windows Server 2008 CAL, to use the Terminal Services functionality of the server software. Similarly, a Rights Management Services (RMS) 2008 CAL is required, in addition to a Windows Server 2008 CAL, to use the Rights Management Services functionality of the server software.

Licence Schemes:

Open Licensing:
Open Licensing is a two-year volume licence scheme and the initial order must meet the minimum entry requirements of 5 licences (any mix). Licences purchased on the scheme are perpetual, and the client may purchase additional licences (one or more at a time) and add them to the scheme while it is active. The scheme offers purchase of Licences only or Licences with Software Assurance.
This offers customers volume pricing with the flexibility to pay as they go. It allows them to acquire additional software products as needed to grow with their changing business needs. Open Business is the base level of the scheme. Open Volume offers improved pricing for clients making a much larger initial purchase.

Open Value Licensing:
Open Value Licensing is a three-year volume licence scheme and the initial order must meet the minimum entry requirements of 5 products (any mix). Payment is split per year over the term (or remainder) of the scheme. It is not possible to purchase Licences only on this scheme, Software Assurance is included as standard. This offers customers volume pricing with the ability to spread the cost and include the benefits of Software Assurance automatically. Open Value Licensing also offers enterprise-wide variations. Open Value Subscription for instance offers licensing on a rental basis. However these enterprise-wide options also require the licensing of key ’qualifying’ products across the company so are not further detailed here.

FPP:
Fully Packaged Products come as a physical item with a licence per package. They are intended for customers with fewer than five PC’s making one-off purchases.

Software Asset Management Services:

The Software Asset Management (SAM) team at Grey Matter is a specialist division to help customers ensure they are not over or under licensed or inadvertently using counterfeit software. They can establish an organisation’s licence position in 3 easy steps;

• Discover the Microsoft Software installed on your network and then advise on a range of software audit tools, organise onsite demos and even install the selected solution.
• Build up your licence entitlement. Microsoft only stores information on a companies volume licence purchases so during an onsite visit Grey Matter will count and record details on each physical licence and check its authenticity.
• Create an actual licence position which compares your installed software to your licence entitlement. Surplus licences can be allocated to new starters but any licence shortages should be reconciled to ensure legal compliance.

Further details can be found at:-

The Samwise Website

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HardCopy links

Feb 2008 - Should You Upgrade? Windows Server 2008 - What’s On Offer, Kay Ewbank

Nov 2007 - Going Green In The Datacentre, Simon Williams

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