Date of A rchive
[ 06/10/2000 ]
Category
[ Information Technologies ]
sub-Categoy
[ Microsoft ]
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Windows2000 Server - An Overview
...... a system won't be welcomed if doesn't offer at least the same speed as the previous version. .....
MUCH emphasis on Windows 2000's improved ease of use at the workstation and server levels.
Microsoft claims that the key issues on which Windows 2000 delivers are extra manageability and reliability--two of the biggest items on the network manager's wish-list. Performance need to be added since a system won't be welcomed if doesn't offer at least the same speed as the previous version.
Microsoft delivers on all three counts, and in next month's Network Edition of PC Magazine, we'll be detailing just how fast Windows 2000 Server is compared to Windows NT, and exactly what it delivers from the network manager's point of view. In the meantime, here's a brief walkthrough of the key features.
Processes, such as adding new users, in Windows NT are clunky and awkward. Hard to administer the flat domains that, at the moment, are Windows' only method of grouping users together. Even harder if you need to change the structure of those domains. The quickest way of moving a user--complete with his or her account privileges and access rights--from one office to another could even be re-entering their data. Doing that for dozens of users is a serious problem.
Windows 2000 Server offers Active Directory (AD) akin to Novell's Novell Directory Services (NDS). Active Directory provides a way of managing all users and resources, no matter where they are on the network, from a single point. NT 4.0 doesn't permit this. Companies with multiple servers will derive most benefit from AD.
For example, you might have a node representing HQ at the top of the tree, with branches for other departments, and twigs fanning out to represent individual users. Alternatively, you might choose to arrange things geographically rather than functionally. Either way, AD allows your network structure to mirror that of your business.
The disadvantage of all this is that you need to be running Windows 2000 on all your servers and clients (so-called Native mode) to get the full benefit of AD, so some compromises will have to be found in mixed environments.
Another key Windows 2000 feature is its improved security--it uses Kerberos recognised secure scheme which is designed to operate over insecure networks.
The Advanced Server and DataCenter Server versions provide features designed for more mission-critical applications. For instance, Advanced Server adds clustering, which allows you to connect two servers and have each one able to take over from the other in the event of a failure.
Crucially, this adds a layer of redundancy that allows you to run mission-critical applications. You also get support for four CPUs--up from two--and up to 8GB of RAM. Datacenter Server adds the ability to run up to 32 CPUs, plus support for 64GB of RAM, as well as higher-end applications, such as a transaction server.
For companies aligned with Microsoft's strategy, Windows 2000 looks like a winner. Others might find that Novell's NetWare, some flavour of Linux, or another operating system will continue to satisfy some, if not all, of their needs. One thing's for sure, though: network managers will find Windows 2000 impossible to avoid.
Windows 2000 Server Usability
Like many other aspects of the operating system, Windows 2000's front end has evolved from previous Microsoft products, such as Windows NT 4.0, rather than adopting a completely new approach. This means existing Windows users should have little difficulty in finding their way around.
- Common features, such as the My Computer window, have now been applied to other tasks. For example, there's now a My Network Places window that structures network drive information in a fashion consistent with the way local drives are handled within My Computer.
- Grouping functions together more intelligently and removing unnecessary clutter from the desktop are also included in Windows 2000.
- Hyperlinks on the left-hand side of panes, such as My Computer, now allow you to move directly to related windows. Although it's possible to modify the appearance of these windows by accessing the HTML code behind them, it's less simple to make basic changes, such as changing the hyperlinks displayed at the side of the screen.
- Most windows are based around a browser-style interface, and many of the configuration options will be familiar to those who have used IE5.x.
- Windows 2000's Start menu has the personalised menu system introduced in Office 2000.
- The operating system tracks the programs you use most frequently over time, and hides less frequently-accessed applications, reducing the Start menu's size. This information is also used in other dialogs, such as Add/Remove Programs, enabling you to remove the least-used applications from your system.
- Plug and Play support has also been added which might make upgrading your PC and keeping applications an easier proposition.
- An HTML-style help system.
Windows 2000 Mobility
NT 4.0 lacked native support for mobile computing, including poor power management, an inability to hot-swap PC Cards and so on. Windows 2000 Professional should allow mobile users to both maximise performance and take full advantage of today's notebook functionality.
- ACPI support means you can put your laptop into hibernation mode--an image of your system's memory is written to disk, which then shuts off the power. When reactivated, the OS rewrites the memory contents from disk, allowing you to continue from the point where you left off.
- Smart Battery, a native applet that displays your laptop's battery charge status and power settings. Check that the BIOS supports ACPI. If it doesn't, upgrade it before installing Windows 2000.
- Following from IE5's Work Offline feature, Windows 2000 supports not only offline Internet and Web access, but it also allows you to locally cache any of the files or folders on your LAN. In fact, given sufficient local disk space, you could cache entire mapped drives. Once you reconnect to the network, Windows 2000's Synchronisation Manager will automatically synchronise the files cached locally with those on your network.
- For mobile users, the new Network Connection Wizard simplifies the process of creating a dial-up or VPN connection. Mobile users will also appreciate the new Plug and Play support, which allows you to hot-swap PC Cards without proprietary extensions to the OS.
- With Windows 2000's encrypting file system (EFS), it's unlikely that your corporate secrets will become common knowledge. Files can only be accessed via Windows 2000's secure logon once encrypted.
- Windows 2000's features native support for smart card authentication security. Microsoft integrated this into its public key infrastructure. With the right software, smart cards can help facilitate public key authentication over public networks.
Overall then, Windows 2000's design is an improvement over NT, but it remains to be seen how much of a benefit its new features deliver to users.
Pros Builds on Windows NT 4.0 to deliver better performance, reliability, connectivity and usability.
Cons Relatively exacting hardware requirements; few applications currently certified; lacks specialist peripheral support for consumers and gamers.
Verdict Well worth the upgrade for users of business desktops and notebooks.
Source: http://www.zdnet.co.uk/pcmag/flooks/2000/03/07.html ]
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