Description

• Powerful hardware and scaling features

  Windows Server 2008 R2 was designed to perform as well or better for the same hardware base as Windows Server 2008. In addition, R2 is the first Windows Server operating system to move solely to a 64-bit architecture. Windows Server 2008 R2 also has several CPU-specific enhancements. First, this version expands CPU support to enable customers to run with up to 256 logical processors. R2 also supports Second Level Translation (SLAT), which enables R2 to take advantage of the enhanced page tables feature found in AMD CPUs as well as the similar nested page tables feature found in Intel's processors. The combination enables R2 servers to run with much improved memory management.

• Reduced power consumption

  Windows Server 2008 introduced a 'balanced' power policy, which monitors the utilization level of the processors on the server and dynamically adjusts the processor performance states to limit power to the needs of the workload. Windows Server 2008 R2 enhances this power saving feature by adding core parking and expanding on power-oriented group policy settings. Active Directory domain services group policy in Windows Server 2008 already gave administrators a certain amount of control over power management on client PCs. These capabilities are enhanced in Windows Server 2008 R2 and Windows 7 to provide even more precise control in more deployment scenarios for even greater potential savings.

• Hyper-V in Windows Server 2008 R2 with SP1

  Windows Server 2008 R2 with SP1 also holds the much-anticipated update to Microsoft's virtualization technology, Hyper-V. The Hyper-V was designed to augment both existing virtual machine management as well as to address specific IT challenges, especially around server migration and memory management. Hyper-V is an enabling technology for one of Windows Server 2008 R2's marquee features, live migration. With Hyper-V version 1.0, Windows Server 2008 was capable of quick migration, which could move Virtual Machines (VMs) between physical hosts with only a few seconds of down-time. Still, those few seconds were enough to cause difficulties in certain scenarios, especially those including client connections to VM-hosted servers. With live migration, moves between physical targets happen in milliseconds, which mean migration operations become invisible to connected users. Hyper-V in Windows Server 2008 R2 with SP1 also features dynamic memory. Dynamic memory enables customers to better utilize the memory resources of Hyper-V hosts by balancing how memory is distributed between running virtual machines. The benefits of dynamic memory include higher virtual machine consolidation ratios and increased flexibility for managing virtualized workloads. Customers employing system center virtual machine manager for Hyper-V will also enjoy additional management and orchestration scenarios, including a VM-oriented performance and resource optimization feature and updated support for managing failover clusters.

• Expand desktop deployment

  Much of the interest in virtualization solutions is in the server world. However, equally exciting advances are being made in presentation virtualization, where processing happens on a server optimized for capacity and availability while graphics, keyboard, mouse, and other user I/O functions are handled at the user's desktop. Windows Server 2008 R2 remote desktop services extend the functionality of session virtualization from delivering session-based desktops and applications to also enabling the delivery of virtual desktops in a virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI). With remote desktop services, both virtual and session-based desktops and applications are available on the Windows 7 start menu right alongside programs that are installed locally. VDI with Windows Server 2008 R2 with SP1 benefits from a rich end user experience with support for rich media and USB devices with Microsoft RemoteFX as well as a great better together story with Windows 7 as the guest OS due to increased VM density with dynamic memory and near-invisible integration of virtualized desktops in Windows 7.

• Easier and more efficient server management

  Although increasing the capabilities of your server operating system is always a good thing, the perceived downside has always been additional complexity and workload for day-to-day server managers. Windows Server 2008 R2 specifically addresses this problem with lots of work evident across all of its management-oriented consoles. Windows Server 2008 R2 also improves on the popular PowerShell feature introduced in Windows Server 2008. PowerShell 2.0 significantly enhances the earlier version with the inclusion of more than 240 pre-built cmdlets as well as a graphical user interface (GUI) that adds professional-level development features for creating cmdlets.

• Managing data not just managing storage

  Managing storage isn't just about managing disks. Storage volume is increasing at a 51% compounded annual growth rate between 2008 and 2012 according to IDC. To keep pace and stay competitive, organizations must begin managing data, not just disks. Windows Server 2008 R2 gives IT administrators the tools for precisely this kind of initiative with the File Classification Infrastructure (FCI). This feature builds an extensible and automated classification mechanism on top of existing shared file architectures; this enables IT administrators to direct specific actions for specific files based on entirely customizable classification. FCI is also extensible to partners, which means Windows Server 2008 R2 users can expect to see additional capabilities around FCI by ISVs in the near future.

• Ubiquitous remote access

  Today's mobile workforce is increasing the demand on IT to provide remote access to corporate resources. However, managing remote computers is an ongoing challenge; with low wide are network (WAN) bandwidth and sporadic connection and re-connection processes interfering with lengthier desktop management tasks such as group policy changes and up-to-date patching. Windows Server 2008 R2 introduces a type of connectivity called DirectAccess - a powerful way for remote users to seamlessly access corporate resources without requiring a traditional VPN connection and client software. Using technologies that shipped in Windows Server 2008, Microsoft has added simple management wizards that enable administrators to configure SSTP and IPv6 across both R2 and Windows 7 clients to enable the basic DirectAccess connection, and then augment that connection with additional R2 management and security tools, including management policies and NAP.

• Simplified management for SMBs

  With Windows Server 2008 R2, Microsoft is focusing more attention at the SMB and mid-market customer. This new focus provides these customers with a rich landscape of Microsoft product offerings, from small business server up to Windows essential business server and Windows Server 2008 Standard. All SKUs are being outfitted with management tools to make SMB IT Pro life easier. Additionally, there are the best practice analyzers, which Microsoft has extended to every server role to keep all your server configs in sync with know-how.

Specifications