Microsoft launches Windows Server 2003 Release 2

Microsoft Corporation India announced the availability of Windows Server 2003 R2 (Release 2). Aimed at small and large organizations, Windows Server 2003 R2 delivers new capabilities and value for customers. The product delivers branch server management, improves identity and access management, reduced storage management costs, provides a web platform and server virtualization. At the event, Microsoft also showcased a range of its infrastructure server offerings including Windows Storage Server, Compute Cluster Server 2003 beta 2and Virtual Server 2005 Release 2. 

At the event, Microsoft also said that in the period July—June 2005 over 2004, sales of Windows Server have grown faster than the market itself. As per IDC, the server hardware market grew by approximately 38% year-on-year, while the Microsoft Windows Server units have grown by 45% during the same period. 

Discussing Microsoft's Infrastructure Server offerings, Amit Kumar, Senior Product Manger-Windows Server, Microsoft India said, “For IT investments to be successful and provide strategic value in the long term, making the right investments in the infrastructure is critical as this forms the foundation for the future. Our range of infrastructure offerings will provide Indian enterprises with a robust, secure, scalable and reliable platform for their enterprise applications and solutions”

“With its enhanced functionality and features, Windows Server 2003 Release 2 can be the IT backbone for companies planning geographic expansion now or in the future. We expect organizations in BFSI, manufacturing and retail to be the first to adopt this offering,” he added.

Microsoft also announced the availability of ISA Server 2004 Service Pack 2, which includes specific enhancements for branch office security and management. ISA Server 2004 SP2 integrates with Windows Server 2003 R2 to provide advanced policy-based protection for branch office servers and clients.

Additionally, Microsoft released its Branch Office Infrastructure Solution (BOIS) update, which includes more concise instruction as well as an updated architecture planning model, new downloadable templates that can be modified to suit the realities of any environment and reflects improvements made in Windows Server 2003 R2 and other product improvements, such as ISA Server 2004 SP2. BOIS is available at
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=5624f3a5-b379-41c1-80f6-df3228cb2622&displaylang=en

Elaborating on the offering, Amit Kumar, Senior Product Manger-Windows Server, Microsoft India said, “Branch offices represent a big management challenge, as well as an efficiency and security challenge in moving information around between the branches. Windows Server 2003 R2 includes new technologies distributed file system and Remote Differential Compression (RDC), which provide a highly available and centralized management experience for branch office data and really improves the efficiency and speed of replicating data—up to a 90% decrease in network utilization for replicating data around the network between branches.”

From a storage perspective, Windows Server 2003 R2 enables storage partners to further enhance integration and compatibility efforts through the Simple SAN program with new features such as Storage Manager for SANs (SMS) and File Server Resource Manager (FSRM). Customers will now be able to purchase Windows Server 2003 R2 pre-installed on hardware through companies such as HP, HCL, IBM, Dell and Wipro.