Windows Server 2003, .NET Server

Windows Server 2003 (aka .Net, XP Server, W2K3)
	Firstly, a quick terminology check. This section is about Microsoft's successor to Windows 2000 server. Microsoft now refer to it as Windows Server 2003, previously it has been know as Whistler, XP Server or plain .NET. For those of you who liked the acronym W2K, then the obvious acronym here is W2K3.

Windows 2000 (W2K) was a huge change from NT 4.0. If you check the version numbers then W2K jumps to version 5.0, however, Windows Server 2003 (W2K3) is merely version 5.1. I mention this to give you a perspective on Windows changes and so that you can keep an eye out for features that were introduced in W2K, for example Active Directory; and those that are enhancements in W2K3, for example the ability to rename domains.

Windows Server 2003 Family - Check out the 'flavours' of W2K3

Here is the range of Windows 2003 products that are available.

Standard Server - Classic file and print server could be your Domain Controller
Enterprise Server - Application server support for clustering
Datacenter Server - More of everything! Processors, memory and clustering
Web Server - For ISP's only available through specialist retailers
(XP Professional - Desktop replacement for Window 2000, Window 98, NT 4.0 Workstation)

When you upgrade, you must upgrade like for like; Enterprise W2K to Enterprise W2K3 works. You cannot mix and match, unfortunately this is not a chance to upgrade Standard to Enterprise server.

Guy Recommends: GFi EventsManager

Here is a solution to monitor, manage and archive thousands of events that are generated by devices across your entire network. Get your free evaluation copy of GFI EventsManager.

Please report a broken link, or an error.

Windows Server 2003 (aka .Net, XP Server, W2K3)

Guy Recommends: GFi EventsManager