What's new with Windows Server 2003 R2

ADAM is interesting because it can supply active directory services to systems that may not be part of a domain.

For example, you may have a number of Windows servers in a Unix or Novell environment requiring active directory.

Alternatively, your company policy may dictate that workgroups are required instead of the normal domain structure but a key application may require active directory services; for example Microsoft Internet and Acceleration Server (ISA).

Some Things About ADAM

• ADAM is run on a Windows 2003 standalone server or Windows XP client.
• ADAM can be used in both a domain and workgroup environments and
• When ADAM is used in both environments, you can also use it to synchronise passwords between an active directory domain controller and the ADAM server.
• Any existing Active Directory schema can be migrated to ADAM
• Group policies are not supported in ADAM

Summary

Windows 2003 R2 has made some very important advancements in the network operating system environment. In order to install new features in Microsoft Windows Server 2003 R2 (Cd-ROM 2), you will need to have a system running Windows 2003 with Service Pack 1 (Cd-ROM 1) .

You can test drive a 180 day evaluation version by clicking here to go to the Microsoft site.

If after reading this you would like to find out more about Windows 2003 R2 - our next report will dive deep into the Branch Office and Storage Management functionality.

Ben Chai is author of Migrating from Windows NT to Windows 2000 and has worked on several Active Directory projects in the financial sector.