Is Windows Server 2008 right for
your business?
Windows® Server® 2008 is the next server operating system from Microsoft. It’s the successor to Windows Server 2003 and introduces most of the new features from Windows® Vista® to Windows Server.
For small businesses, Microsoft is readying its next version of Small Business Server for release in early 2008. Code-named "Cougar," it will package together Windows Server 2008, Exchange Server 2007, Windows SharePoint Services 3.0, SQL Server 2005 and System Center Essentials. It will be the first 64-bit version of the small-business-focused operating system.
Microsoft says that Windows Server 2008 is designed to provide the most productive platform for powering applications, networks and Web services from the workgroup to the data center with valuable new functionality and powerful improvements to the base operating system. Here are a few of the reasons you might want to upgrade when Windows Server 2008 becomes available.
Reason #1 to upgrade: Security
The most compelling reason to upgrade to Windows Server 2008 is improved security. Here is a list of some of the new or improved security mechanisms.
- Network Access Protection (NAP): provides a way to exert more control over which computers connect to the network by checking for compliance with security policies and isolating those that don't comply.
- Read-only Domain Controller (RODC): Inadequate physical security is the most common reason to deploy an RODC. An RODC provides a way to deploy a domain controller more securely in locations that require fast and reliable authentication services but cannot ensure physical security for a writable domain controller. The RODC addresses these problems and delivers the following benefits: improved security, faster logon times and more efficient access to resources on the network.
- Federated Rights Management Services: allows for better protection of sensitive data.
- BitLocker full disk encryption: enables you to prevent unauthorized persons from booting into the server even if they have physical access.
- Secure Sockets Tunneling Protocol (SSTP) remote access VPN: Secure Socket Tunneling Protocol (SSTP) is a form of a virtual private network (VPN) tunnel that provides a way to transport point-to-point protocol (PPP) traffic through a Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) channel. Secure Sockets Layer (SSL), are cryptographic protocols that provide secure communications on the Internet for such things as web browsing, e-mail, Internet faxing, instant messaging and other data transfers. Windows Server 2008 allows you to create an SSL VPN with strong authentication and transport-level security.
- Improved certificate services: enhances support for enrolling routers and other network devices.
Windows Server 2008 also includes the new Windows firewall (first introduced in Windows Vista), Windows Defender, service hardening and User Account Control (UAC).
Reason #2 to upgrade: Virtualization
Running servers in virtual machines (VMs) allows you to have the logical separation you need so that your Exchange mail server, your Web server(s) and your file server(s) have the security benefits of running on separate operating systems. You also get the cost savings of running all those separate computers on a single physical machine.
Microsoft's hypervisor virtualization technology, named Hyper-V, will be available both as an add-on for Windows Server 2008 and as a stand-alone server product. Hyper-V can run a variety of operating systems in virtual machines, including 32- and 64-bit Windows and Linux.
Reason #3 to upgrade: Server Core
Windows Server 2008 gives you two installation options: install the full operating system with the familiar graphical interface and built-in applications, such as Internet Explorer, or install just the Server Core, a more basic environment for command-line administration. Server Core includes the important subsystems — networking, file system and security subsystems — but doesn't include the desktop shell, most applications or the .NET framework. Server Core provides a more secure environment, easier management and better performance.
Reason #4 to upgrade: Server Manager
Server Manager is a new administrative tool in Windows Server 2008. It provides a centralized place for managing most aspects of your server.
Server Manager is exclusive to Windows Server 2008 and won't run on
previous versions of Windows, not even Vista.
Reason #5 to upgrade: IIS 7.0
Microsoft Internet Information Services (IIS) is a set of Internet-based services for servers using Microsoft Windows. It is the world's second-most popular Web server in terms of overall Web sites. The latest version, ISS 7.0, provides many improvements over ISS 6.0. This application is now modular, and you can install only the components you need. That makes it more secure, increases performance and makes it easier to manage.
Reason #6 to upgrade: Active Directory enhancements
Active Directory has been enhanced to reduce total cost of ownership (TCO) and operation. New features and enhancements have been provided at all levels of the product to extend versatility, simplify management and increase dependability. Improvements to Active Directory include the auditing service, granular password and account lockout policies, and the ability to restart the directory services without rebooting the domain controller in Restore mode.
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Reasons to wait to upgrade
All of the above are good reasons to roll out Windows Server 2008. But there are a few good reasons to wait before upgrading.
Reason #1 to wait: Compatibility issues
As with Window Vista, the new security architecture in Windows Server 2008 means there are likely to be some applications that won't run on it. These include many antivirus and other security applications.
Reason #2 to wait: Cost considerations
If you have many servers, the licensing cost of upgrading to Windows Server 2008 can be significant. There's also a price for increased functionality with every new operating system, and part of that price comes in increased hardware requirements. Many servers currently running Server 2003 don't meet those criteria, so you may have to factor in the cost of buying new server systems or performing hardware upgrades to your existing servers to run Windows Server 2008. Contact your CDW account manager to help you determine what your costs of rolling out Windows Server 2008 would be and whether the benefits meet your specific needs.
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CDW Leasing
CDW offers four different leasing terms with three end-of-lease options. Leasing specialists are available to assist you with quotes, account information or any questions that you have. To learn more, contact your CDW account manager today.
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