With the release of Windows Vista, Microsoft has developed comprehensive enhancements in Windows’ usability. Many of these enhancements are now available in Windows Server 2008. Use those that seem most appropriate, as WS08 machines are servers and do not necessarily need to have the same interface as client workstations. You may want to ensure that these enhancements are available on all your servers in order to simplify the user transition from Windows Vista to WS08.
CAUTION
CAUTION
Windows Vista includes a myriad of new features. Not all are covered here, even though many have made it to the Windows Server 2008 code. This is because many of the new Windows Vista features are not aimed at a network operating system and are, therefore, irrelevant in WS08. New features in this category include:• Windows Aero User Interface A new interface that provides an enhanced Windows visual experience.
• Instant Search An integrated indexing feature that simplifies finding the location of anything on Windows.
PA
RT
I
PA
RT
I
PA
RT
I
• XPS Document Support A new portable document format.
• Server Manager A unified MMC console that provides single access to all server functions and features.
Each is described in the following tables.
Feature Windows Aero User Interface
Description: The Windows Aero user interface takes advantage of new graphics capabilities to provide a clear and precise image to users.
Category: Usability
Feature: ✓ New Improvement Update Replacement
Feature Source: WS08 ✓ Vista WS03 R2 WS03 Service Packs
Installation: By Default ✓ Add-on Through Server Manager Custom
Applies to: ✓ Small ✓ Medium ✓ Large Organizations
Replaced Features
• The classical interface from Windows 2000
• The enhanced interface from Windows XP
Benefits
• Provides a clear picture on the screen.
• Includes enhanced functionalities for system management and interaction.
• Interacts with the latest graphics card capabilities (requires custom hardware).
Functions
• Includes Glass, a graphical rendering mechanism that provides as clear a picture as possible on a computer screen using a transparent glass design and smooth window transitions.
• Windows Flip and Flip 3D provide live views of actual window contents, as well as advanced interaction with multiple windows open on the desktop at the same time.
• Live taskbar thumbnails provide previews of actual window contents when hovering over the taskbar.
• Relies on Windows Driver Display Model (WDDM) to provide improved desktop transitions, taking advantage of advanced graphics card capabilities.
Feature Instant Search
Description: Search and indexing are a core part of the operating system. Access to all files and tools is controlled by the new search utility. Search is contextual and will modify its behavior depending on user activity.
Category: Usability
Feature: ✓ New Improvement Update Replacement
Feature Source: WS08 ✓ Vista WS03 R2 WS03 Service Packs
Feature Instant Search
Installation: ✓ By Default Add-on Through Server Manager Custom
Applies to: ✓ Small ✓ Medium ✓ Large Organizations
Replaced Feature
• Previous indexing functions provided by Index Server
Benefits
• All user information is automatically indexed.
• Searches can be performed from the desktop on the desktop, as well as on network shares and collaboration sites.
Functions
• Integrated part of the Windows desktop. All activity is based on search, even the Start menu.
• Provides fast-as-you-type performance when searching.
• Integrated in all aspects of Windows: Documents Explorer, Music Explorer, Search Explorer, and more.
• Includes the Advanced Filter Pane, which lets you create searches with multiple criteria.
• Searches are integrated with Windows security, so users only see results to which they have been granted access.
• Search covers other computers, offline folders, redirected folders, SharePoint sites, and removable hard drives.
• Developers can produce iFilters to integrate their products with Instant Search.
• Provides the same level of search as Windows XP on legacy file shares that do not support the new distributed search engine.
Feature XPS Document Support
Description: Used to transform any on-screen content to a portable document format that supports viewing, printing, and indexing, and can be integrated to rights management for content protection.
Category: Usability
Feature: ✓ New Improvement Update Replacement
Feature Source: WS08 ✓ Vista WS03 R2 WS03 Service Packs
Installation: ✓ By Default Add-on Through Server Manager Custom
Applies to: ✓ Small ✓ Medium ✓ Large Organizations
Replaced Feature • None
Benefit
• Provides document portability without the need for third-party add-ons.
Functions
• Integrated XML Paper Specification (XPS) printer driver lets users print any on-screen content to XPS format for portability.
• Documents can be viewed in Internet Explorer or any other browser that supports the XPS format plug-in.
• Creates a standard paginated experience for unpaginated content, such as web pages.
• Supports automated document creation for custom programs.
• Generates high-fidelity vector-based graphics to provide accurate rendering of graphic images.
• Integrates with ADRMS to provide complete content protection.
PA
RT
I
PA
RT
I
PA
RT
I
Feature Server Manager
Description: Provides a single interface for server management, displaying system information and configuration details. Also used to manage server roles and add features.
Category: Usability
Feature: ✓ New Improvement Update ✓ Replacement Custom Built-in
Feature Source: ✓ WS08 Vista WS03 R2 WS03 Service Packs
Installation: ✓ By Default Add-on Through Server Manager Custom
Applies to: ✓ Small ✓ Medium ✓ Large Organizations
Replaced Features
• Replaces the following Windows Server 2003 interfaces:
• Manage Your Server
• Configure Your Server
• Add or Remove Windows Components
Benefits
• Server roles are configured with recommended security settings by default.
• Server roles are ready to deploy as soon as they are installed and properly configured.
• One single interface for server management.
Functions
• Centrally control the operational lifecycle of the server and any role installed on it.
• Quickly identify server status and critical events, as well as analyze and troubleshoot configuration issues or failures.
• Includes all of the different interfaces you need to manage any server activity.
• Relies on MMC version 3.0 to provide a rich user experience. Also includes:
• Add or Remove Roles Wizard
• Add or Remove Role Services Wizard
• Add or Remove Features Wizard
• Supports multiple functions as well as server roles.
• Enables integration of additional roles and features that are available on the Microsoft download center and the Windows Update web sites as optional updates to WS08. For example, Windows Server Update Services which are not part of Windows server can be added through the Server Manager console. Windows SharePoint Services which supports team and personal web site creation to provide document management and collaboration, is also added to Server Manager in this manner.
Supports the Following Server Roles
• Active Directory Certificate Services (ADCS) Creates and manages digital certificates as part of a PKI.
• Active Directory Domain Services (ADDS) Provides traditional authentication and domain security services.
• Active Directory Federation Services (ADFS) Provides encrypted identity federation and single sign-on based on the Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) protocol.
• Active Directory Lightweight Directory Service (ADLDS) Stores application-specific data in Lightweight Directory Application Protocol (LDAP) format.
• Active Directory Rights Management Services (ADRMS) Protects documents from unauthorized use through digital signatures.
• Application Server Hosts and manages high-performance distributed business applications.
Feature Server Manager
• Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) Server Provides central provisioning, configuration, and management of temporary IP addresses and related information on client computers.
• Domain Name System (DNS) Server Translates domain and computer DNS names to IP addresses.
• Fax Server Sends and receives faxes, and supports the management of fax resources.
• File Services Provides technologies for storage management, file replication, distributed namespace management, file searching, and streamlined client access to files.
• Hyper-V Services Provides support for the operation of virtual instances of operating systems. Hyper-V is a hypervisor—a small piece of code whose purpose is to expose physical resources to virtual machines—and is a role that should not be shared with any others as much as possible. Note that Hyper-V is not included in the original market release of WS08.
• Network Policy and Access Services (NAS) Supports local area network (LAN) and wide area network (WAN) network traffic routing and network access policy creation and enforcement, as well as virtual private network (VPN) or dial-up connection access to network resources.
• Print Services Manages and provides access to network printers and printer drivers.
• Terminal Services (TS) Enables access to a server running Windows-based applications or to the full Windows desktop.
• Universal Description, Discovery, and Integration Services (UDDI) Organizes and catalogs Web services and other programmatic resources in white or yellow page-like directories.
• Web Server (IIS) Provides a Web application infrastructure through IIS version 7.0.
• Windows Deployment Services (WDS) Provides hands-free remote deployment of Windows operating systems through network-based installation.