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Product Information
Windows Server 2008 R2 is the latest version of the Windows Server products that provide administrators worldwide with a complete server solution. Windows Server 2008 R2 introduces powerful new functionality including new virtualisation features such as live migration, processor abstraction and Remote Desktop Services (previously Terminal Services). There is comprehensive support for exclusive Windows 7 features, Internet Information Services 7.5 with improved management and extensibility capabilities, new and enhanced server roles and more.
Windows Server 2008 R2 can be purchased as either a boxed product or as a licensing product. For more information on licensing Windows Server, please see our Microsoft Licensing buyers guide on the left or call us to discuss your requirements.
New Features
Improved Web support
Windows Server 2008 R2 introduces Internet Information Services (IIS) 7.5. IIS 7.5 provides easier administration and improved automation through the PowerShell provider. For example, create PowerShell scripts to execute repetitive tasks, add or modify sites and applications, back up configs and much more. The Server Core role now supports the .NET framework thus ASP.NET can be run on the Server Core.
IIS 7.5 features a new FTP server that is fully integrated with the IIS management console, supports FTP over SSL, UTF8 encoding, IPv6, virtual hosts support and improved logging to ease troubleshooting. Logging has been enhanced in IIS - it is now easy to audit all the changes to IIS and the new Best Practices Analyzer can highlight best practice violations within configuration settings.
Compatibility with Windows 7
Businesses running Windows Server 2008 R2 together with Windows 7 can benefit from numerous features only available with this setup. DirectAccess, for example, allows clients to connect to a corporate intranet remotely without the complexities of VPN, but with all the security. New Windows 7 power management functionality can be easily controlled using the Group Policy settings and new security features, including BitLocker support for removable drives (manageable using Group Policy) and improved data loss prevention for mobile users, help to protect your data.
In addition, Remote offices can benefit from improved performance using BranchCache to reduce traffic sent along the WAN connection, improved security with read-only Distributed File Systems (DFS) and improved fault tolerance when using VPN by establishing multiple network paths - when one network path drops, another one will take over automatically.
New Virtualisation Features
Windows Server 2008 R2 includes a new version of Hyper-V - Microsoft's powerful virtualisation technology. This latest version increases Hyper-V's high availability support with Live Migration which can move a running virtual machine between physical servers without downtime. Management of virtual machines has been improved with an updated Hyper-V Management Console, enhanced PowerShell cmdlets and improved integration with System Center Virtual Machine Manager 2008.
New performance improvements in Hyper-V include support for Second Level Address Translation (SLAT) which is available on modern processors and helps increase the virtual machines performance whilst drawing less power. The new Processor Compatibility feature abstracts processors meaning virtual machines can be run on different servers with the same processor architecture (AMD or Intel) but don't necessarily require the same exact processor.
The renaming of Terminal Services to Remote Desktop Services (RDS) brings with it a number of improvements. New interface improvements help make the user experience seamless for users using applications locally or remotely. For Windows 7 users, the RemoteApp and Desktop Connection feeds integrate into the control panel, Start menu and system tray for easy access to remote applications. Remote applications additionally have true multi-monitor support, audio input and recording, support for Aero Glass and more. For administrators, a new control panel simplifies administration and improved deployment tools, such as MSI compatibility and a PowerShell provider, speed up large deployments.
Enhanced Reliability and Scalability
Windows 2008 R2 is only available as a 64-bit edition and now supports up to 256 logical processor cores. New and enhanced roles help improve the modularity of Windows Server, removing unnecessary code and reducing potential security issues. For example, the Server Core role has been enhanced with the inclusion of the .NET framework thus providing support for PowerShell scripting.
Scalability improvements include updates to the Network Load Balancing feature when using clusters and storage improvements include enhanced performance and improved fault tolerance.
Improved Management
Reduce your power consumption with the new Core Parking feature for processors which uses the smallest amount of processor cores possible and suspends inactive cores, adjust the ACPIP-States of supported processors from within Windows Server and reduced the power used by SAN’s.
Get insights into your storage data using Windows File Classification Infrastructure (FCI), which classifies files based on administrator defined properties. For example setup a rule to identify files with sensitive information and then easily identify those files and encrypt them.
PowerShell 2.0 is included with Windows Server 2008 R2. PowerShell 2.0 provides improved remote management, enhanced GUIs for creating and debugging scripts, more scripting functionality and improved portability.
Increase your security with improved identity management - it's easier to join domains, recover deleted objects and manage user accounts. An integrated Best Practices Analyzer helps ensure you have configured the best setup possible.
Benefits
Virtualisation
- Built-in Hyper-V virtualises multiple operating systems - Windows, Linux and others - on a single physical server. With virtualisation built into the operating system and with simple flexible licensing policies, it's now easier than ever to take advantage of all the benefits and cost savings of virtualisation.
- Live migration support in Hyper-V means running virtual machines can be transferred between physical servers with no downtime.
- New Remote Desktop Services (previously Terminal Services) provide even greater integration of remote applications on a local system using Virtual Desktop Integration (VDI) technology.
- Robust and vibrant technical community to provide a rich experience throughout the product life cycle.
Solid Foundation
- Increased dependability with advanced reliability enhancements to reduce loss of access, work, time, data, and control.
- Simplified management of your IT infrastructure by using tools that provide a one-stop interface for server configuration and monitoring, as well as the ability to automate routine tasks.
- Streamlined installation and management of Windows Server 2008 by installing only the roles and features you need. The customisation of the server configuration simplifies ongoing maintenance by minimising the attack surface area and reducing the need for software updates. R2 introduces enhanced roles, especially for the Server Core role which now supports the .NET framework. This means PowerShell scripting and ASP.NET can be run on the Server Core.
- Get complete scalability with support for up to 256 logical processors and Second Level Address Translation to take advantage of Advanced Page Tables/ Nested Page Tables whilst drawing less power
- Effectively pinpointing and resolving trouble spots with powerful diagnostic tools that give you ongoing visibility into your server environment, both physical and virtual.
- Increased control over servers located in remote locations, such as the branch office. With optimised server administration and read-only data and Active Directory replication, you can provide users with better service while reducing management headaches.
Web
- Simplified Web server management with Internet Information Services 7.5, which is a powerful Web platform for applications and services. This modular platform provides a simplified, task-based management interface, greater cross-site control, security enhancements and an extensible architecture.
- Task based interface simplifies common management Web server tasks.
- Delegated administration of applications and sites so you can give control to different parts of the Web server to those who need it.
Security
- Protection of your server with security innovations that reduce attack surface area of the kernel, resulting in a more robust and secure server environment.
- Protection of your network access with Network Access Protection that gives you the power to isolate computers that don't comply with security policies you set. The ability to enforce security requirements is a powerful means of protecting your network.
- Enhanced solutions for intelligent rules and policies creation to increase control and protection over networking functions, allowing you to have a policy-driven network.
- Protection of your data to ensure it can only be accessed by users with the correct security context, and to make it available when hardware failures occur.
- Increased control over your user settings with Expanded Group Policy.
- Classify your data with the new, completely customisable File Classification Infrastructure (FCI). FCI can easily identify files with personal information and perform actions on those specific files and can do much more.
Licensing
There are various ways to license Microsoft products - please see our ‘Microsoft Licensing’ buyers guide on the left or click Call Me above and we will contact you to discuss the options.
Editions
Windows Server 2008 R2
Windows Server 2008 R2 Enterprise
Windows Server 2008 R2 Enterprise delivers an enterprise-class platform for deploying business-critical applications. Improve availability with clustering and hot-add processor capabilities. Improve security with consolidated identity management features. Reduce infrastructure costs by consolidating applications with virtualisation licensing rights. Windows Server 2008 R2 Enterprise provides the foundation for a highly dynamic, scalable IT infrastructure.
Windows Server 2008 R2 Datacenter
Windows Server 2008 R2 Datacenter delivers an enterprise-class platform for deploying business-critical applications. Help improve availability with clustering and dynamic partitioning capabilities. Help improve security with consolidated identity management features. Reduce infrastructure costs by consolidating applications with virtualisation licensing rights. Windows Server 2008 R2 Datacenter provides a foundation on which to build enterprise-class virtualisation and scale-up solutions.
Windows Server 2008 R2 Standard
Windows Server 2008 R2 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 Web Server 2008 R2
Designed to be used specifically as a single-purpose Web server, Windows Server 2008 R2 Web delivers on a rock solid foundation of Web infrastructure capabilities in the next generation Windows Server 2008. Integrated with the improved IIS 7.5, Windows Web Server 2008 R2 enables any organisation to rapidly and easily deploy Web pages, Web sites, Web applications, and Web services.
Windows Server 2008 R2 for Itanium-based Systems
Windows Server 2008 R2 for Itanium-based Systems is optimised for large databases, line of business and custom applications providing high availability and scalability up to 64 processors to meet the needs of the most demanding and mission critical solutions.
System Req.
Minimum Requirements
- Processor - 1.4 GHz processor - 64-bit required (Intel Itanium 2 processor required for Windows Server for Itanium-Based Systems)
- Memory - 512MB RAM (Max: 32GB on Standard, 2TB on Enterprise, Datacenter and Itanium)
- Disk Space Requirements - 32GB or greater
- Display - Super VGA at 800x600 or greater
- Other - DVD Drive, Keyboard, Mouse
Please Note: actual requirements will vary based on system configuration and applications and features chosen to be installed.