Saha
12-12-2006, 11:06 AM
In May, almost a year after the first beta release, Microsoft released Longhorn Server Beta 2. Like previous Windows Server versions, Longhorn Server enhances fundamental areas, includes added security functions, and improves reliability and performance. A modular design makes it easier to install, configure, and upgrade. Although it's still too early to talk about concrete performance expectations for these areas, it's evident that Longhorn Server Beta 2 improves on its predecessors. Here's what you need to know about this new beta version.
Improving the Fundamentals
Longhorn Server is designed to be modular, which leads to a new OS function called Server Core and a more elegant servicing story. In Beta 2, Server Core provides install choices (called roles) that let you configure a minimal server install with no GUI and support for only certain services (e.g., DHCP, DNS). Server Core is lightweight—taking up less than 500MB of disk space—and you can install it in a demilitarized zone (DMZ) thanks to its reduced attack surface. Server Core provides for an extremely secure domain controller (DC) because it combines read-only domain controller (RODC) and Bit-Locker Drive Encryption technology. Microsoft claims that if it had released Server Core with Windows Server 2003, the typical Windows 2003 machine would require 50 percent fewer patches. . . .
Improving the Fundamentals
Longhorn Server is designed to be modular, which leads to a new OS function called Server Core and a more elegant servicing story. In Beta 2, Server Core provides install choices (called roles) that let you configure a minimal server install with no GUI and support for only certain services (e.g., DHCP, DNS). Server Core is lightweight—taking up less than 500MB of disk space—and you can install it in a demilitarized zone (DMZ) thanks to its reduced attack surface. Server Core provides for an extremely secure domain controller (DC) because it combines read-only domain controller (RODC) and Bit-Locker Drive Encryption technology. Microsoft claims that if it had released Server Core with Windows Server 2003, the typical Windows 2003 machine would require 50 percent fewer patches. . . .