Cmos paper

Research Paper Part 1

1. Why Windows Server 2008 comes in different versions? What is the significance of each version?

The reason Windows Server 2008 provides so many different versions is to provide the needs of its customer’s ; providing 7 different versions ranging from the basic level software for a small business to multimillion corporations that require immense computing power. The Microsoft website states “Each Windows Server 2008 R2 edition provides key functionality to support any sized business and IT challenge.” (Microsoft.com, 2010)

Windows Server 2008 R2 (Foundation) – The basic starting level server package.
Windows Server 2008 R2 (Standard) – Built and installed with the average tools and flexibility.
Windows Server 2008 R2 (Enterprise) – Specialized to meet the needs of various applications.
Windows Server 2008 R2 (Datacenter) – Provides a very large capacity range.
Windows Server 2008 R2 (Web) – Only used for Internet applications
Windows Server 2008 R2 (HPC Suite) – It is adjustable to get the most out of the system resources overall.
Windows Server 2008 R2 (Itanium Based) – Most scalable.
(Microsoft.com, 2010)

2. What are the new features or enhancements made to Windows Server 2008? How is Windows Server 2008 different from Windows Server 2003?

Some of the new features to Windows Server 2008, according to Microsoft’s website are Powershell Hardware and Scaling Features, Reduced Power Consumption, Hyper-V in Windows server 2008 R2 SP1, Expand Desktop Deployment Options with VDI, Easier and more Efficient Server Management. (Microsoft.com, 2010)

3. Why is 64-bit architecture and advantage?

64 –bit architecture is actual a design of the CPU. Some of the advantages of 64-bit architecture are an increase to a maximum of 1,024 GB of RAM, the use of an increased number of processors, faster bus architecture, and it has better scalability with a better price range; a low cost. (technet.microsoft.com, 2011) Some 64-bit programs, such as encoders, decoders and encryption software, can benefit greatly from 64-bit registers, while the performance of other programs, such as 3D graphics-oriented ones, remains unaffected when switching from a 32-bit to a 64-bit environment. Some 64-bit architectures, such as x86-64, support more general-purpose registers than their 32-bit counterparts (although this is not due specifically to the word length). This leads to a significant speed increase for tight loops since the processor does not have to fetch data from the cache or main memory if the data can fit in the available registers.

4. Explain the new features of Windows Server 2008, such as Server Core, Virtualization, and PowerShell. What is the role of these features and how will they improve efficiency in administering Windows?

Windows PowerShell is a command-line shell and scripting language that helps IT professionals achieve greater productivity and control system administration more easily. (Microsoft.com, 2010) Since the PowerShell does not require a GUI it allows many features in the Server Software to be able to work by efficiency by the user.

5. What is a Read Only Domain Controller (RODC) and what are its advantages? What are the security and administrative issues addressed by a RODC?

A Read Only Domain Controller (RODC) is a domain controller that is used when physical security is not guaranteed. It works similarly as a normal Domain Controller in the way it authenticates. The difference is The RODC cannot write any changes and also requires a Domain Controller to make all of the updates for it. In addition it increases security by not making a remote site authenticate over the internet, faster logins, and improved network access to resources. (Technet.Microsoft.com, 2011) Inadequate physical security is the most common reason to consider deploying an RODC. An RODC provides a way to deploy a domain controller more securely in locations that require fast and reliable authentication services but cannot ensure physical security for a writable domain controller. However, your organization may also choose to deploy an RODC for special administrative requirements. For example, a line-of-business (LOB) application may run successfully only if it is installed on a domain controller. Or, the domain controller might be the only server in the branch office, and it may have to host server applications. In such cases, the LOB application owner must often log on to the domain controller interactively or use Terminal Services to configure and manage the application. This situation creates a security risk that may be unacceptable on a writable domain controller. An RODC provides a more secure mechanism for deploying a domain controller in this scenario. You can grant a non-administrative domain user the right to log on to an RODC while minimizing the security risk to the Active Directory forest.