Introduction to Windows 2003 & 2000
Introducing Windows Server 2003 and Windows 2000 Professional
This chapter introduces Windows Server 2003 and its features. Windows Server 2003 latest
in the line of operating systems provided by Microsoft Corporation. It is available in four
editions, and enables system administrators to implement a domain – based network
structure. Implementing domain – based structure facilitates centralized administration and
management of users and computers in a network.
Windows Server 2003 also provides the various other features; such as implementing file and
folder level security and creating customized consoles for easier access to administrative
tools of Windows Server 2003. In addition, Windows server 2003 supports IIS that can be
used to host internal Web sites in an organization.
Features of Windows Server 2003
Windows Server 2003 is a robust, reliable, and easy to administer operating system. It is
available in four editions to meet specific requirements of different customers. The four
editions of Windows Server 2003 with their description are listed in the table 1.1.
Windows Server
2003WEdition name
Description
Standard
Is intended for small to medium- size organizations and provides
several key Utilities, such as secure web access and printer sharing.
Enterprise
Is intended for medium to large- size organizations and provides
enhanced Reliability features. For example, this edition provides
Windows System Resource manager feature, which helps
in System management.
Datacenter
Is intended for Original Equipment Manufactures (OEMs)and
provides Scalability and reliability features of Windows Server
2003 at the highest Level. This edition is available for
organizations that deal with mission-Critical data and require
large amount of data to backed up.
Web
Is intended for Organizations that require only a Web server. This
edition Provides easy deployment of Web sites and application.
However, this Edition does not support key features present
in other editions of Windows Server 2003 cannot be
configured as a domain controller
The enterprise and data center editions of Windows Server 2003 are available in two
versions, 32-bit version and 64-bit version. The 32-bit version is intended for Intel 32-bit
Pentium systems and the 64-bit version for Intel Pentium systems. The 64-bit version
performs faster’s calculations operations as compared to 32-bit versions of Windows server
2003.
72
Introduction to Windows 2003 & 2000
The several key features provide by Windows Server 2003 include:
►
Active Directory: is service used to store information about users and computers in a
network. In addition this service enables you to centrally mange a network.
►
New Technology file system (NTFS): is a file system that provides file- and folderlabel security and supports partition up to 1024 TB. In addition, NTFS enables you to
assign disk quotas, which are used to restrict the amount of disk space that a user can
utilize.
►
Internet Information Services (IIS): Is a Web Server that enables you to develop and
deploy web sites and application.
►
Automated system recovery (ASR): is a utility, which enables you to automatically
recover Windows Sever 2003 in the event of system failure.
►
Remote desktop: is a utility, which enables you to run application installed on
Windows
Server 2003 from client computers.
►
Shadow Copies of Shared Folders: is a new disk Management utility, which enables
you to store copies of files at specific time intervals. Therefore, using this utility you
can restore files that have been accidentally deleted, modified, or corrupted.
Hardware Requirements for Installing Windows server 2003
Before installing Windows Server 2003, your computer should meet certain hardware
requirements. The following table lists the minimum and recommended hardware
requirements for installing Standard, Enterprise, Datacenter, and web editions of Windows
Server 2003.
Standard
Edition
Enterprise
Edition
Datacenter
Web
Edition
Edition
133MHz
133MHz
400MHz
133MHz
Recommended 550MHz
733MHz
733MHz
550MHz
Minimum
128MB
128MB
512MB
128MB
Recommended 256MB
256MB
1GB
256MB
Minimum
1.5GB
1.5GB
1.5GB
2.0GB
Not
Application
Hardware
Minimum
CPU
RAM
Hard disk Minimum for
Intel Itanium
Space
system
1.5GB
Not
2.0GB
application
In addition, you require VGA or higher monitor, a CD_ ROM or DVD-ROM, Microsoftcompatible mouse, and keyboard for installing each edition of Windows Server 2003.
Installing Windows Server 2003
73
Introduction to Windows 2003 & 2000
To ensure successful installation of Windows server 2003, you need to adhere to the
following pre-installation checklist:
Task
Status
Components meet the minimum hardware requirements
The hard disk has minimum 1.5GB space available on
which Windows Server 2003 will be installed
Determine the name of the computer
Determine the administrator password
Table 1.3: Pre-installation checklist for Windows Server 2003
Fundamentals of windows 2000 Professional
Windows 2000 Professional is intended for desktop system and portable computers in a
business environment. It combines security and reliability features of Windows NT and easy
of use features of windows 98. You can also use Windows 2000 Professional computers as a
client machine for Windows server 2003.
To install Windows 2000 Professional your computer should meet certain hardware
requirements, as listed in the following table:Hardware
Minimum Requirement
Recommended Requirement
CPU
RAM
Hard Disk Space
Monitor
133MHz Pentium
32MB
650 MB
VGA
733MHz Pentium or higher
256MB
1.5GB
VGA or higher
Installing Windows 2000 Professional
To ensure successful installation of Windows 2000 Professional, you need to adhere to the
following pre-installation checklist:
Task
Status
Components meet the minimum hardware requirements
The hard disk has minimum 1.5 GB space available on which
Windows server 2003 will be installed
Determine the name of the computer
Determine the administrator password
74