Since
the official launch of Windows Server 2008 Upgrade in February 2008,
many companies have made it within their companies and many companies
are planning for it. In this article, we will look at 10 things to
consider in making upgrade decision.
Reasons
to make Windows Server 2008 Upgrade Now
Reason
#1: Security
Improve
security is the foremost reason to move forward the decision to make
Windows Server 2008 Upgrade. Some key security mechanisms offer by
this upgrade are: Network Access Protection (NAP), Read-only Domain
Controller, Federated Rights Management Services, BitLocker full disk
encryption, Secure Sockets Tunneling Protocol (SSTP) remote access
VPN, improved certificate services, Windows Defender, service
hardening, User Account Control (UAC), new window firewall and more.
Reason
#2: Virtualization
Every
large and small business is leveraging the virtualization technology.
Server consolidation and testing or running multiple operating
systems on a single physical machine is the biggest uses of this
technology. Windows Server 2008 Upgrade avails the latest Hyper-V
technology that can run a variety of OS in virtual machines,
including 32- and 64-bit Windows and Linux.
Reason
#3: Performance
Serve
2008 offers increased networking, wireless networking and server
performance. It has next generation TCP/IP stack that maximizes the
throughput on connections, Windows System Resource Manager that
enhances performance by allocating resources properly, Storage Area
Networks (SAN) and Direct Attached Storage (DAS) for better
virtualization, etc.
Reason
#4: Server Core
It
offers two installation options: full OS installation or just the
Server Core that includes important subsystems: networking, file
system, security subsystem, RDP, WMI, a few basic GUI utilities.
Server Core provides more security, easier management, and better
performance.
Reason
#5: Server Manager
Server
manager is a new tool introduced by Server 2008 that provides a
centralized place for server management and is used to assign roles
to the servers, configure settings, and so forth.
Reason
#6: IIS 7.0
The
latest version of Internet Information Services (IIS) allows you to
install only required components. It is more intuitive and has a new
command-line tool, AppCmd.exe, replacing numerous administrative
commands. You can manage IIS 7 using Windows Power Shell command line
interface.
Reason
#7: Enhanced Terminal Services
If
your business relies on windows terminal services, Windows Server
2008 Upgrade has numerous enhancements for you. It has the latest
version 6.0 of the Remote Desktop Connection (RDC) client software
and lets you use network-level authentication (NLA). Coming to user
experience, a higher resolution (up to 4096 x 2048) is supported,
Display Data Prioritization and customized wide screen aspects is
provided.
Reason
#8: Active Directory enhancements
In
server 2008, active directory is integrated with: Certificate
Services, Rights Management Services that allows control over
recipients of documents and e-mail messages, Federation Services,
etc.
Reasons
to Wait for Implementing Server 2008
Reason
#9: Compatibility Issues
Due
to new security architecture, many applications don’t run on Server
2008. These include a few antivirus and security applications that
access the kernel, backup programs, and applications that check OS
configuration before installation and programs that interact with
IIS.
Reason
#10: Cost Factors
If
you have to run many servers, then moving to Windows Server 2008Upgrade can cost you significantly. So the cost of upgrading to
Server 2008 depends on your needs.
So,
keeping these things in mind, you have to take the decision whether
or not to make Windows Server 2008 Upgrade.
Summary:
Are you sure you need to make Windows Server 2008 Upgrade? If you are
in doubt, this article helps you with 10 reasons that will help you
decide whether and when to make a window server 2008 upgrade.
