Introduction of Windows Server 2008
Microsoft Windows is accredited to be the forerunner in providing some of the best operating systems to computer users cross the world. Windows Server 2008, which was released by the company in the first quarter of 2008, is a successor to its earlier server operating system named Windows Server 2003.
The Windows Server 2008 is found to be quite similar to the Windows Vista in terms of its security, technical, administrative and management features. This is because of the fact that both of them have a common base for their codes. It is also instilled with a feature called the Server Core, which is a new type installation. When the Windows Server 2008 is installed using the Server Core, the Shell of the Windows Explorer is not installed. Therefore, the maintenance and configuration of the Windows Server 2008 has to be done using command lines. The other features that are not included with Server Core are the .NET Framework and the Internet Explorer.
The main services that can be found in the Windows Server 2008 include Active Directory Domain Services, Active Directory Federation Services, Active Directory Certificate Services, Active Directory Lightweight Directory Services and Active Directory Rights Management Services. Administrators are allowed to manage the different user accounts using the certificate and identity services, while they get access to some other systems and services using the digital certificates.
Terminal Services have also been upgraded in the Windows Server 2008, and now support the Remote Desktop Protocol 6.0. It is now possible to share individual applications using Remote Desktop connection. Windows Server 2008 also has other new features that fall under the terminal services. They include the Terminal Services Web Access and the Terminal Services Gateway.
A completely new feature is available with the Windows Server 2008 known as the Windows PowerShell. This PowerShell is a new feature that allows users to get the utilities of command line shell. It is based on the .NET Framework an object oriented programming and can be used by the users in place of the normal command line shell that they used to use till now.
Windows Server 2008 is rich in amazing features and other mention worthy features includes the self healing NTFS, the Hyper-V system and the Server Manager. Microsoft Windows have done a commendable job with Windows Server 2008 and have tried to provide their customers with a great product, which will help the company to increase its reputation in the market manifold.