Product Overviews

This page introduces the Windows Server 2003 family of operating systems, including Windows Server 2003 R2, and provides overviews for each product as well as links to more detailed information.

Introducing the Windows Server 2003 Family of Operating Systems The Windows Server 2003 R2 operating system extends Windows Server 2003, providing a more efficient way to manage and control access to local and remote resources while at the same time integrating easily into your existing Windows Server 2003 environment. Windows Server 2003 R2 provides a scalable, security-enhanced Web platform and enables new scenarios, including simplified branch server management, improved identity and access management, and more efficient storage management. The R2 release builds upon the increased security, reliability, and performance provided by Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1. Find out more about What's New in Windows Server 2003 R2.

On This Page

	Windows Server 2003 Family Product Overviews
	Microsoft .NET
	Introductory Overviews
	Related Technologies
	Competitive Comparisons

Windows Server 2003 Family Product Overviews

• Windows Server 2003 R2
  Windows Server 2003 R2 extends connectivity and control to identities, locations, data, and applications throughout and beyond your organization.
• Windows Server 2003 R2 Standard Edition
  Windows Server 2003 R2 Standard Edition is the ideal multipurpose network operating system for the everyday needs of organizations of all sizes, but especially small businesses and workgroups.
• Windows Server 2003 R2 Enterprise Edition
  Windows Server 2003 R2 Enterprise Edition builds on the capabilities of Windows Server 2003 Standard Edition by adding reliability features needed for business-critical applications.
• Windows Server 2003 R2 Datacenter Edition
  Windows Server 2003 R2 Datacenter Edition is built for mission-critical applications that demand the highest levels of scalability, availability, and reliability.
• Windows Server 2003 x64 Editions
  The 64-bit versions of Windows Server 2003 Standard, Enterprise, and Datacenter editions support larger amounts of memory—enabling higher levels of performance and scalability for memory-intensive applications.
• Windows Server 2003 SP1
  See how Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 (SP1) provides enhanced security, increased reliability, and a simplified administration to help enterprise customers across all industries.
• Windows Server 2003 for Itanium-based Systems
  Windows Server 2003 for Itanium-based Systems Enterprise and Datacenter Editions are well-suited for native 64-bit applications requiring the highest levels of scalability. Typical workloads include database, business applications, and technical computing.
• Windows Server 2003 High-Performance Computing
  Companies can now deploy clusters of servers running Windows Server 2003 to benefit from supercomputing power at a fraction of the cost.
• Windows Small Business Server 2003
  Windows Small Business Server 2003 integrates e-mail, fax, database, and shared Internet into one powerful platform that's easy to deploy. Order the Evaluation Kit and see for yourself.

Microsoft .NET

• Introducing Microsoft .NET-connected Technologies in Windows Server 2003
  Learn about the ".NET" in Windows Server 2003. This section contains several articles that explain how the Windows Server 2003 family uses .NET-connected technologies to enable new levels of software integration through XML Web services.

Introductory Overviews

• Introduction to Windows Server 2003 R2
  This webcast introduces the new features of Microsoft Windows Server 2003 R2 and shows how R2 can be used to simplify branch server management, improve identity and access management, and provide more efficient storage management, while easily integrating into your existing Windows Server 2003 environment.
• Building a Connected, Collaborative Infrastructure with Windows Server 2003/Windows Server 2003 R2
  Implementing an information worker infrastructure based on Windows Server 2003 or Windows Server 2003 R2 can help information workers become more productive and businesses more agile, as this article explains.
• Windows Server Product Roadmap
  This article describes the long-term product roadmap and philosophy for Windows Server, including the service packs, feature packs, update releases, and the next major release.

Related Technologies

• Microsoft Reliability Analysis Service
  Gain a better understanding of data center reliability and availability with Microsoft Reliability Analysis Service (MRAS), a new, Web-based service now available for preview.
• Microsoft Windows Services for NetWare
  Learn how Microsoft Windows Services for NetWare 5.02 simplifies the introduction of Windows Server 2003 and the Active Directory directory service into a Novell NetWare network environment with Novell Directory Service (NDS).

Competitive Comparisons

• New Research Challenges Performance and Cost Perceptions Surrounding Linux in Mainframes and Application Development
  Martin Taylor, Microsoft platform strategies manager, and Forrester researcher John Rymer discuss recent research projects that compare Windows to Linux.
• The Total Economic Impact of Developing and Deploying Applications on Microsoft and J2EE/Linux Platforms
  Microsoft commissioned Giga to employ its Total Economic Impact (TEI) methodology and conduct this cost-comparison study. (To view this report, you need Adobe Acrobat. Clicking the article title opens the article in Adobe Acrobat.)
• Get the Facts About Windows and Linux
  This Microsoft site highlights resources that compare the total cost of ownership of Windows and Linux.

Top of page