Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2 will be the next version of the Windows Server operating system from Microsoft. Building on the features and capabilities of the current Windows Server 2008 release version, Windows Server 2008 R2 allows you to create solutions organization that are easier to plan, deploy, and manage than previous versions of Windows Server.
Building upon the increased security, reliability, and performance provided by Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2003 R2 extends connectivity and control to local and remote resources. This means your organizations can benefit from reduced costs and increased efficiencies gained through enhanced management and control over resources across the enterprise.
Improving the Web Application Platform
Windows Server 2008 R2 includes many improvements that make this release the best Windows Server application platform yet, but by far the most important contributors to this capability are the updates to Internet Information Services 7 (IIS 7). The new Web server includes features to help applications run faster while using fewer system resources. The improved features also combine to help reduce the effort to administer and support Windows Server–based applications as well as improve availability, reliability, and scalability.
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A list of the key improvements for IIS 7 Web and applications serving in R2 include:
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Reduced effort to administer and support WWeb-based applications.
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Enhanced support for Web-based applications.
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Improved file transfer services.
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Ability to extend the functionality and features for WWeb-based applications.
Enabling Virtualization and Consolidation
Virtualization is a major part of today’s data centers. The operating efficiencies offered by virtualization allow organizations to dramatically reduce operational effort and power consumption.
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Windows Server 2008 R2 provides the following virtualization:
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Computer virtualization provided by Hyper-V. Virtualizes the system resources of a physical computer. Computer virtualization allows you to provide a virtualized environment for operating systems and applications. When used alone, Hyper-V is typically used for server computer virtualization. When Hyper-V is used in conjunction with Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI), Hyper-V is used for client computer virtualization.
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Presentation virtualization. Virtualizes a processing environment and isolates the processing from the graphics and I/O, making it possible to run an application in one location but have it be controlled in another. Presentation virtualization might allow you to might run only a single application, or it might present you with a complete desktop offering multiple applications.
Streamlining Management
The ongoing management of servers in the data center is one of the most time-consuming tasks facing IT professionals today. Any management strategy you deploy must support the management of both your physical and virtual environments.
To help with this problem, Windows Server 2008 R2 has new features to reduce the ongoing management of Windows Server 2008 R2 and to reduce the administrative effort for common day-to-day operational tasks. And these administrative tasks can be performed on the server or remotely.
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Improved data center power consumption management.
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Improved remote administration.
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Reduced administrative effort for administrative tasks performed interactively.
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Enhanced command-line and automated management by using PowerShell version 2.0.
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Improved identity management provided by Active Directory Domain Services and Active Directory Federated Services.
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Improved compliance with established standards and best practices.
Scalability and Reliability
Windows Server 2008 R2 is capable of the unprecedented workload size, dynamic scalability and across-the-board availability and reliability. A host of new and updated features contribute to this pillar.
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Leveraging sophisticated CPU architectures
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Increased operating system componentization
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Improved performance and scalability for applications and services
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Improved availability for automated IP configuration services by using the DHCP failover feature
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Improved security for Domain Name System (DNS) services by using the DNSSEC feature
Making the Experience Better Together
Windows Server 2008 R2 has many features that are designed to specifically work with client computers running Windows 7. This is the next version of Microsoft’s client operating system.
