Microsoft recently announced the release of Windows Small Business Server 2008 Standard and Premium Editions scheduled for release on November 12, 2008.

The release of Server 2008 marks one of the most significant upgrades Microsoft has made to its server line of software. Perhaps only the release of Windows 2000 was a more significant advance to the product line. Before the release of Windows 2000, only NT 4.0 was available for servers.
The new technologies present within Server 2008 will prove to be more beneficial to businesses than previous releases.
Small Business Server 2008 Standard and Premium Editions Server 2008 marks the first release of a new Microsoft server product since Server 2003 R2. The innovations in the new release have been well worth the wait. With the release, as with Vista, Microsoft makes full use of the 64-bit processing environment that has been around for several years now.
Some of the key advances in the new release are an upgrade to the Active Directory (AD) infrastructure, which has been around since Windows 2000 was released. However, many features within Server 2008 are quite powerful and have taken the newest Microsoft server OS in a radically different direction.
The Small Business Server 2008 Standard Edition comes bundled with Microsoft Exchange Server 2007, Windows SharePoint Services 3.0, Windows Server Update Services 3.0, Microsoft Forefront Security for Exchange Server, Windows Live OneCare for Server and Integration with Office Live Small Business.
The Small Business Server 2008 Premium Edition includes all of the products in the Standard edition plus Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Standard for Small Business.
Server Core Server Core is one of these radically new features. Server Core allows for a minimal version of Server 2008 to be installed on machines that only need specific functionality. For example, Server Core can be configured to take on common functions that servers normally perform such as those of the DHCP server, DNS server, file server and Active Directory, as well as operations such as streaming media, print services or even Windows virtualization.
Server Core is meant for the use of network administrators and server management personnel who could develop a highly specialized and efficient computing environment utilizing Server Core. A Server Core installation is very different from other Microsoft OS installations on a PC or server. The interface is minimal - mostly by command line, though a Task Manager or Notepad window can be called up.
IT professionals will appreciate a Server Core installation where it is needed. Maintenance under such an installation is at an absolute minimum since the server on which the software is installed is only focused on one particular function rather than the multiple functions on a full installation of Server 2008. There are also inherently less vulnerabilities for a would-be hacker to exploit under this setup, so security is a breeze. The simpler installation also guarantees less software bugs arising when they are least expected - such as when an application is installed that is not fully compatible with Microsoft software.
Considering all these benefits to a minimal installation, it becomes obvious that the management time involved with these specialized servers is also considerably reduced. Less management time translates into less maintenance by IT staff or, at least, a staff that does not waste time making sure the firewall is holding up or pinpointing a problem through multiple functions on a typical server.
Hyper-V Also in Server 2008 is the Hyper-V option, which enhances Microsoft's presence in the world of virtualization. Virtualization allows for a single machine to take on the functions of two or more machines, utilizing resources simultaneously without causing overlap or conflict. Virtualization has so many benefits to the business world that they are difficult to number. The reduced number of machines in a virtual environment can save money for a business in many different ways. Fewer machines use less power in less space and can be effectively managed by fewer employees.
Today's machines can handle the additional functionality that virtualization demands; oftentimes processor capacity, primary memory and hard drive space are wasted or never even used. Virtualizing a server environment is a trend we will continue to see over the next decade.
Microsoft's previous virtualization release, Virtual Server, uses a popular virtualization technique called "host-based virtualization" where the primary OS installation runs a service called "Virtual Machine Monitor" (VMM) that provides the virtual environment to another operating system.
Hyper-V functions in a completely different way by using a hypervisor. A hypervisor creates an abstraction layer at the boot level, performing only minimal functions of the kernel, then abstracting the environment required to run multiple operating systems and their associated applications on top of the kernel. This translates into a much faster and more scalable virtual environment than the VMM methodology.

Easier Server Management Previous server installations had a separate management console for each role contained within the Manage Your Server dashboard. Manage Your Server was a convenient enhancement over previous server releases where management consoles were not all so neatly gathered together. However, with Server 2008, this convenience is taken a step further with the completely new Server Manager.
With Server Manager, system administrators have a one-stop shop for server management for the first time. It is very likely that for a majority of the time, IT staff won't ever need to use another tool to manage the Server 2008 system, and they will be very thankful for it. Once again, with this tool, Microsoft lessens the time it takes to perform simple tasks.


Both types of licensing come with the option to add Microsoft's Software Assurance plan, which provides maintenance for Microsoft products.
Software Assurance includes comprehensive support including training and the ability to speak with Microsoft representatives to assist in deploying and managing Server 2008 software. Software Assurance should not be overlooked in any Microsoft purchase. With the purchase, software upgrades are included in addition to Version Rights, which guarantees the purchaser the right, at no extra charge, to new editions of the product purchased should one become available during the length of the Software Assurance contract.
Web Server 2008 This version is specifically configured to give a machine the ability to function as a Web server and little else. This setup does not allow the domain controller configuration and does not include Microsoft's new virtualization technology, Hyper-V. However, Web Server 2008 does support a Server Core installation. This version can be purchased either in the 32-bit or 64-bit editions and supports a maximum of four processors.
Windows Server 2008 Standard The Standard version comes with all basic functionality of the new enhancements and technologies described in this article. It is available in 32-bit and 64-bit versions and also supports a maximum of four processors. The Standard edition can be purchased with or without Hyper-V virtualization. If the version with virtualization is purchased, it also comes with five Client Access Licenses (CALs).
Windows Server 2008 Itanium The Itanium edition is highly customized for specific-function servers that perform either as database or application servers. Itanium does not support Hyper-V, nor does it support Server Core. It is only available in the 64-bit edition, is purchased per processor up to a maximum of 64 supported processors and supports up to 64 gigabytes of RAM.
Windows Server 2008 Enterprise Enterprise can also be purchased in 32-bit or 64-bit editions and with or without Hyper-V virtualization. At the Enterprise level, 25 CALs come standard with the installation and instead of the maximum of four processors, this edition allows for the support of eight. Enterprise also allows for support of a great deal more system memory (RAM) with the increased number of processors supported: two terabytes versus the maximum of 32 gigabytes in the Standard edition. Four instances are available with the Enterprise edition.
Windows Server 2008 Datacenter Once again, the Datacenter version can be purchased to support either 32 bit or 64 bit and with or without Hyper-V virtualization. At the Datacenter level, licensing is purchased per processor and with the purchase, an organization is granted unlimited virtual instances. The Datacenter edition is purchased in conjunction with the Enterprise edition for machines that could benefit from unlimited virtualized environments. The Datacenter edition supports up to 64 processors in the 64-bit edition.
It is also worth noting that Hyper-V technology can be purchased as an add-on to editions purchased without the functionality. However, at a cost of only $28, it is almost inconceivable why anyone would choose to purchase Server 2008, at any level, without this technology.
Need help? To learn more visit http://sisnv.net/
Disclaimer/Release of Liability Statement: Regarding knowledge shared in this article, Michael G. Perry will not be held responsible for any consequential damages resulting from the application of content or recommendations.
Copyright © 2008 Coprofit, All rights reserved. Monitored with http://www.copyscape.com

author:
Michael G. Perry is a Las Vegas, Nevada based systems integration specialist. He has written hundreds of articles and host live training workshops for company events nationally. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Management from Long Beach State, LEAP (Leadership Evaluation & Assessment Process) Certification from FedEx, is Six Sigma trained and has worked with numerous businesses across the country.

source