Microsoft has unveiled a new functionality in Windows
Server 2003 R2 at the Tech Ed conference in San Diego.
A demonstration of an early version of R2, which has not yet
reached the beta stage, included:
A hub and spoke topology model in concert with
"remote differential compression" (RDC) technology to make branch
communication more effective by reducing the amount of data
transferred between the branch server and the main office
server.
RDC offers the ability to only transfer a change made in a file
when replicating instead of the entire file. The hub and spoke
model is part of Version 2 of the Windows Server file replication
services, which in Version 1 already offered full mesh
replication.
Client inspection and isolation technology to
help shield a corporate network. Administrators can ensure a
computer joining the network meets security and configuration
requirements, such as up to date virus protection and patches.
Active Directory Federation Services, formerly
codenamed TrustBridge, designed to allow users to federate
identities between corporate boundaries.
Anywhere Access, a technology to give users
access to e-mail and other services on a corporate network without
the need for a virtual private network. Microsoft sees Anywhere
Access as complementary to VPN, not a replacement, a spokesman
said.
Microsoft offered little additional detail on the technologies
shown.
At first glance, the R2 features look very interesting, said
Peter Pawlak, a senior analyst at Directions on Microsoft.
"It shows that they will have some really appealing new
capabilities that will help span the transition to Longhorn Server.
These aren't just some things that are nice to have."
However, R2 is more than a year away, which means there could be
many changes to the product before it ships. "It is all off in the
middle of next year, we're not even at the beta stage," he
added.
Windows Server 2003 shipped in April last year and Microsoft
intends to deliver the first service pack, a bundle of bug and
security fixes, for the software later this year.
R2 is due in the second half of 2005 and, in addition to
offering new features, it will bundle in various feature packs that
Microsoft has put out for Windows Server 2003 since its launch,
such as Windows Rights Management Services and Windows SharePoint
Services.
While service packs are available at no charge, the R2 update
will not be. Companies that bought individual licences for earlier
Windows Server products will have to buy a new licence for R2.
Joris Evers writes for IDG News
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