IT Consulting Services > Microsoft Active Directory
Microsoft Active Directory is the core component of Microsoft Windows 2000 and 2003 network structure and is a vast improvement over Windows NT 4.0 domain. Active Directory services provides a focal point for centrally managing and securing Windows user accounts, clients, servers, and applications.
Windows Server 2003 further adds to the increased dependability (availability, scalability, and security), productivity (Active Directory, file and print services, management services, storage management, and Terminal Services), connectivity (XML Web services, networking and communications, Enterprise UDDI services, and Windows Media services), and economics model (extensive ISV ecosystem, worldwise services, training options, and certified solutions).
Top 10 Benefits of Windows Server 2003:
1. Easy to deploy, manage and use
2. Secure connected infrastructure
3. Enterprise-class reliability, availability, scalability, and performance
4. Lower TCO through consolidation and the latest technology
5. Create dynamic intranet and internet web sites
6. Fast development with integrated application server
7. Work smarter by turning your file server into a powerful collaboration server
8. Automate operations with script-based and policy-based management tools
9. Increase document protection and availability via intelligent file storage
10. Easy to find, share, and reuse XML web services
Microsoft significantly enhances these features and benefits of Windows Server 2003 with the release of Service Pack 1 for Windows Server 2003. Features that are added with Service Pack 1 include: Security Configuration Wizard, Hot patching, IIS 6.0 Metabase auditing, Windows Firewall, Post-setup security updates, and Data Execution Prevention (DEP). Please refer to this Microsoft Knowledge base article for a full list of updates.
And, Microsoft will be continuing that trend by releasing Windows Server 2003 R2 (due during second half of 2005), which is an update release of the Windows Server 2003 operating system. Built on Windows Server 2003 with Service Pack 1 (SP1), R2 takes advantage of the stability and security of a proven code base while extending connectivity and control into new areas, such as: identity and access management, branch office server management, storage setup and management, and application development inside and outside your organization's traditional boundaries.
Infomax Solutions specializes in assessments, installations, upgrades and migrations of NT4, Windows 2000 and Windows 2003 networks. Throughout Los Angeles, Southern California and worldwide, we've implemented a large number of NT4-to-Windows 2000, NT4-to-Windows 2003, and Windows 2000-to-Windows 2003 upgrades and migrations, as well as new installations.
Typically, these upgrades and migrations are driven by Microsoft Exchange Server requirements. And, as such, we've performed a large number of new installations, as well as Exchange 5.5-to Exchange 2000, Exchange 5.5-to Exchange 2003, and Exchange 2000-to-Exchange 2003 upgrades and migrations.
System policies of Windows NT has changed substantially with group policies (GPO) of Active Directory. With group polices, a network administrator can define a large number of detailed policy and security settings and easily enforce them on any scale in a centralized manner.
Furthermore, settings for Microsoft's Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) and Software Update Service (SUS) can easily be implemented via GPO so as to ensure that all Windows machines are automatically updated with latest patches and hotfixes in a timely manner.
For small organizations on a budget, Microsoft offers the affordable Windows Small Business Server 2003.
Contact us. Infomax Solutions is ready to perform new Active Directory installations, as well as upgrades and migrations.