Up Close: Windows Server 2003

1. Active Directory (aka directory services) is a standard technology for all versions of Windows Server except the Web edition,that is, it's part and parcel of the Standard, Enterprise, Datacenter and 64-bit versions. Older Windows NT 4.0 and Windows 2000 directories can be migrated to Server 2003 with a new set of tools. Likewise, drag-and-drop of directory objects, the ability to make multiobject selections, and the ability to save and reuse Active Directory queries means that moving and migrating data is also much easier than before.

Windows Server 2003 also includes an "install replica from media" tool that makes it possible to use a backup of a domain controller or global catalog server to create replica domain controllers. VARs and administrators will find that permits a cookie-cutter approach to creating replicas more quickly and more easily than in Windows 2000.

2. There are also across-the-board improvements and enhancements to security capabilities in Windows Server. These include a broad array of capabilities, such as improved group-policy management; remote-access service-credentials enhancements; increased use of PKI; certificate services and credentials management; Internet authentication services that can access Radius servers; and improvements to the Internet connection firewall originally provided with Windows XP.

The OS includes a library of predefined security templates, making it relatively easy to create and save customized templates. New Active Directory controls also permit active-controls lists to be reset quickly and easily, and to show effective permissions on objects that control rights, permissions and access.

3. .Net-connected technologies enable applications to use XML and other distributed network access and capabilities. Out of the box, however, Windows Server 2003 displays few such capabilities. Of course, that creates a tremendous opportunity for VARs and developers willing to tackle custom coding projects.

Using .Net versions of Microsoft Visual Studio, Visual Basic and Visual C#, VARs can create the next generation of applications and present significant opportunities to develop network operations and management, forms-based data acquisition or management, and Web-based services.

In the end, those who already use Active Directory heavily or are seeking enhanced and improved security for Windows-based networks are likely to benefit from investigating and piloting projects on Windows Server 2003. Likewise, those VARs who seek to add value in the applications arena should look into .Net-connected services development. Smaller organizations won't be as driven to migrate in the near term as larger, more complex outfits likely to benefit from advanced features and functions.

Ed Tittel ([email protected]) is a principal at LANWrights, a division of iLearning.com, based in Austin, Texas.