Today, Microsft has released Windows Server 2003 R2 Beta to Microsoft Beta Place.
Windows Server 2003 R2 is an interim release of Windows Server 2003 built on top of Windows Server 2003 SP1. It will include most of the feature packs Microsoft released since the initial Windows Server 2003 release in 2003, including Active Directory Application Mode, Windows SharePoint Services, and Automated Deployment Services.
Key Enhancements in "R2"
This beta enhances key features that network administrators want to improve their network performance, streamline administrative and maintenance tasks, and increase security. Here are just a few of these enhanced features:
Active Directory Application Mode (ADAM)
ADAM is a Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) directory service that runs as a user service, rather than as a system service.
Branch Office DFS and DFS Replication
Technologies that help simplify branch office management by using improved replication services, management tools for files, DFS, and print management and compression algorithms.
Simple Storage Access Network (Simple SAN)
Technology that allows for rapid deployments of SAN technologies by using the Virtual Disk Service (VDS), which enables one cross-hardware tool to create and manage logical unit numbers (LUNs) on SANs that support VDS 1.1.
Active Directory Federated Services (ADFS)
ADFS is an access management solution that enables Windows Web-based authentication, authorization, single sign-on (SSO) and identity federation across security boundaries (security, departmental, organizational, platform). ADFS helps to reduce the administrative complexity and security threats commonly faced when sharing applications with partners, customers and decentralized employees.
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