Windows Server 2003 Services

Productive

Windows Server 2003 has capabilities in numerous areas that can make your organization and employees more productive, including

• File and print services. At the heart of any IT organization is the ability to efficiently manage file and print resources while keeping them available and secure for users. As the network expands with more users located on- site, in remote locations, or even at partner companies, administrators face an increasingly heavy burden: The Windows Server 2003 family delivers intelligent file and print services with increased performance and functionality, allowing you to reduce TCO.

• Active Directory. Active Directory is the directory service for the Windows Server 2003 family. It stores information about objects on the network and makes this information easy for administrators and users to find, providing a logical, hierarchical organization of directory information. Windows Server 2003 brings many improvements to Active Directory, making it more versatile, dependable, and economical to use. In Windows Server 2003, Active Directory provides increased performance and scalability. It also allows you greater flexibility to design, deploy, and manage your organization’s directory.

• Management services. While computing has spread on desktops, laptops, and portable devices, the real cost of maintaining a distributed personal computer network has grown significantly. Reducing day-to-day maintenance through automation. Windows Server 2003 contains several,important new automated management tools, including Microsoft, Update Services (SUS) and server configuration wizards. Managing Group Policy is made easier with the new Group Policy Management Console (GPMC), enabling more organizations to better utilize the Active Directory service and take advantage of its powerful management features. In addition, command-line tools let administrators perform most tasks from the command console.

• Storage management. Windows Server 2003 introduces new and enhanced features for storage management, making it easier and more reliable to manage and maintain disks and volumes, backup and restore data.

• Terminal Services. The Terminal Services component of Microsoft Windows Server 2003 builds on the solid application server mode of Windows 2000 Terminal Services. Terminal Services let you deliver Windows-based applications, or the Windows desktop itself, to virtually any computing device including those that cannot run Windows.

Connected

Windows Server 2003 contains new features and improvements to make sure your organization and users stay connected:

XML Web Services. IIS 6.0 is an important component of the Windows Server 2003 family. Administrators and Web application developers demand a fast, reliable Web platform that is both scalable and secure. Significant architectural improvements in IIS include a new process model that greatly improves reliability, scalability, and performance. IIS is installed by default in a locked-down state. Security is increased because the system administrator enables or disables system features based on application requirements. In addition, direct editing support of the XML metabase improves management.

• Networking and communications. Employees need to connect to the network wherever they are, and from any device. Partners, vendors, and others outside the network need to interact efficiently with key resources, and security is more important than ever. Networking improvements and new features in the Windows Server 2003 family extend the versatility, manageability, and dependability of network infrastructures.

• Windows Media Services. Windows Server 2003 includes the industry’s most powerful digital streaming media services These services are part of the next version of the Microsoft Windows Media technologies platform that also includes a new Windows Media Player, Windows Media Encoder, audio/video codecs, and Windows Media Software Development Kit.