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Clustering
Clustering
A cluster is a group of independent computers that work together to run a common set of applications and provide the image of a single system to the client and application. For more information on cluster modes, see "Network Load Balancing clusters" or "Server clusters" feature descriptions in this tool. Server clusters are available only in Windows Server 2003 R2, Enterprise Edition, and Windows Server 2003 R2, Datacenter Edition.
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Network Load Balancing clusters
Network Load Balancing distributes incoming TCP/IP traffic among multiple servers. This functionality was previously known as Windows NT Load Balancing Service (WLBS). Through clustered applications, especially Web server applications, your server can handle more traffic, provide higher availability, and provide faster response times.
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Old Print server cluster support-old
This feature improves productivity by making it easier to install printer drivers on server clusters. When installing a printer driver on a virtual cluster, Windows Server 2003 R2 automatically propagates the driver to all nodes of the cluster.
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Print server: cluster support
Clustering support for print servers improves user productivity by making it easier to install printer drivers on server clusters. When you install a printer driver on a virtual cluster, Windows Server 2003 R2 automatically propagates the driver to all nodes of the cluster.
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Server clusters
Server clusters provide high availability, scalability, and manageability for important resources and applications. Multiple servers (nodes) in a cluster remain in constant communication. If one of the nodes in a cluster becomes unavailable-for example, because of a failure or maintenance downtime-another node immediately provides service. This process is known as failover. Users who access the cluster remain continually connected to server-based resources. With Windows Server 2003 R2, Enterprise Edition, and Windows Server 2003 R2, Datacenter Edition, you can configure server or Network Load Balancing cluster models, depending on your requirements.
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Directory Services
Active Directory
Active Directory directory service is built into Windows Server 2003 R2, Standard Edition; Windows Server 2003 R2, Enterprise Edition; and Windows Server 2003 R2, Datacenter Edition. It stores information about objects on a network and makes this information easy for administrators and users to find and use. Active Directory uses a structured data store as the basis for a logical, hierarchical organization of directory information.
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Active Directory Application Mode
ADAM, an independent mode of Active Directory without infrastructure features, provides directory services for applications. Operating as a stand-alone data store or interacting with an Active Directory domain controller, ADAM's flexibility enables administrators to tailor their directory services infrastructure to varying degrees of local control/autonomy or shared services. ADAM provides a data store and services for accessing that data store, uses standard application programming interfaces (APIs) for accessing application data, and works with ADFS to provide a user store for extranet application authentication.
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Active Directory Federation Services
Active Directory Federation Services (ADFS) provides extranet authentication/authorization, single sign-on (SSO) and federated identity services for Windows Server environments. ADFS extends the value of Active Directory deployments to facilitate collaboration with partners, resulting in increased user productivity, greater IT efficiency, and better security. ADFS also extends the value of Windows Server identity services in internet-facing Web environments, enabling stronger authentication for extranet deployments, native delegated administration, and close integration with Microsoft technologies
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Active Directory Migration Tool
Active Directory Migration Tool (ADMT) 2.0 allows password migration from Windows NT Server 4.0 to Windows 2000 and Windows Server 2003 R2 domains as well as from Windows 2000 to Windows Server 2003 R2 domains. A new scripting interface simplifies common migration tasks, such as migration of users, groups, and computers. ADMT supports Component Object Model (COM) interfaces and supports any language, including Visual Basic Scripting Edition, Visual Basic, and Visual C++. The scripting interface extends to provide command-line support. All scriptable tasks can be executed directly from a command line or through batch files.
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Active Directory: install replica from media
In the Active Directory service, administrators can quickly create replica domain controllers for a preexisting domain from media. That is, instead of replicating a complete copy of an Active Directory database over a network, this feature allows an administrator to initiate replication from files created when backing up an existing domain controller or global catalog server. The backup files are generated by any Active Directory-aware backup utility and can be transported to the candidate domain controller using tape, CD, DVD, or by performing a file copy over a network.
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ADFS Proxy
The ADFS Proxy capability enables an ADFS federation server to perform authentication events in a perimeter network without being physically resident in that perimeter network, instead more heavily protected behind a firewall.
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ADFS Web Agents
the ADFS Web Agents (one for Claims-Aware applications, and another for NT Token-based applications) provide access control services for web applications by intercepting user requests to a web server, forwarding those requests to the ADFS federation server, and subsequently consuming and applying the resulting security tokens from the ADFS federation server at the web application.
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Cross-forest trust
Cross-forest trust provides a new type of Windows trust for managing the security relationship between two Active Directory forests. This feature vastly simplifies cross-forest security administration and enables the trusting forest to enforce constraints that determine which security principal names it trusts other forests to authenticate.
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Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) support
Industry-standard Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) is the primary access protocol for Active Directory. LDAP version 3 was defined by the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF). Windows Server 2003 R2 adds support for the latest version of LDAP, which features the new IETF RFC updates that were standardized since the release of Windows 2000 Server.
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Microsoft Identity Integration Server 2003 (MIIS) support
MIIS is a centralized service that stores and integrates identity information from multiple directories in an organization. The goal of a MIIS is to provide an organization with a unified view of all known identity information about users, applications, and network resources. MIIS solves important business issues that result from having information stored in multiple, disparate data repositories throughout an organization. It is available only for Windows Server 2003 R2, Enterprise Edition. For further information about MIIS please visit http://www.microsoft.com.
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Password Synchronization
Password Synchronization helps integrate Windows and UNIX servers by simplifying the process of maintaining secure passwords. With Password Synchronization, users do not need to maintain separate passwords for their Windows and UNIX accounts or remember to change the password in multiple locations. Password Synchronization automatically changes a user password on both UNIX and Windows networks whenever the user changes his or her password.
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Server for NIS
Server for NIS helps integrate Windows and UNIX-based Network Information Service (NIS) servers by enabling an Active Directory domain controller to act as a master NIS server for one or more NIS domains. Identity Management for UNIX includes an easy-to-use wizard that a Windows domain administrator can use to export NIS domain maps to Active Directory entries.
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File Services
CHKDSK performance improvements
The CHKDSK utility scans an entire disk file system for structural errors and repairs them. Because the NTFS file system is a true journaled file system, CHKDSK operations are rarely required. In the unlikely event that a disk needs to be checked and less than 1 percent of unplanned outages require such checking-Windows Server 2003 R2 CHKDSK performs 20 percent to 38 percent faster than in Windows 2000.
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Command-line interfaces: Diskpart and Diskraid
The new Diskpart and Diskraid command-line utilities in Windows Server 2003 R2 help with disk management tasks. Diskpart can convert a basic disk to a dynamic disk. You can also choose various disk and redundant array of independent disks (RAID) configurations, perform shadow copy management, and tune the file system.
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Content indexing
Content indexing is a fast, easy, and secure way for users to search for information locally or on a network. Users can search files in different formats and languages, either through the Windows Search command, on the Start menu, or through HTML pages that they view in a browser.
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Disk Defragmenter tool
The Windows Disk Defragmenter can increase disk availability and performance by optimizing files on a volume. Windows Server 2003 R2 defragmentation is faster and more efficient than it was in Windows 2000. In addition, it supports online defragmentation of the Master File Table (MFT) and can defragment NTFS volumes with any cluster size.
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Encrypting File System (EFS)
Encrypting File System (EFS) technology is used to store encrypted files on NTFS volumes. Encrypted files and folders are easy to use and look like any other file or folder-available to authorized users but inaccessible to anyone else. EFS is particularly beneficial for mobile users who may face a higher risk of computer loss or theft. An unauthorized person who tries to access encrypted files or folders is prevented from doing so, even if the intruder has physical access to the computer. In Windows Server 2003 R2, EFS improvements give you the ability to authorize additional users to access encrypted files, encrypt offline files, and store encrypted files in Web folders.
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FAT32 on DVD-RAM
This feature enables recognition, mounting, and formatting of 32-bit file allocation table (FAT32) volumes for you to store on DVD-RAM disks in super-floppy format.
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File Replication Service (FRS)
FRS is a new Microsoft Management Console (MMC) snap-in. FRS supports the removal of replication filtering and lets you display all types of FRS configurations, change non-SYSVOL types of FRS configurations, define a FRS replica set, and specify a schedule for individual connections. You can also create topologies, such as full mesh, star, and hub.
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Folder redirection of My Documents
Through Group Policy, you can redirect a user's My Documents folder to their home directory, a new feature.
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GUID Partition Table (GPT)
The 64-bit versions of Windows Server 2003 R2, Enterprise Edition, and Windows Server 2003 R2, Datacenter Edition, support a new disk partitioning style, the GUID partition table (GPT). Unlike master boot record partitioned disks, GPT allows data critical to platform operation to be located in partitions rather than unpartitioned or hidden sectors. In addition, GPT partitioned disks provide improved data structure integrity by offering redundant primary and backup partition tables.
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Old-Encrypting File System (EFS)-Old
Encrypting File System (EFS) technology is used to store encrypted files on NTFS volumes. Encrypted files and folders are easy to use and look like any other file or folder-available to authorized users but inaccessible to anyone else. EFS is particularly beneficial for mobile users who may face a higher risk of computer loss or theft. An unauthorized person who tries to access encrypted files or folders is prevented from doing so, even if the intruder has physical access to the computer. In Windows Server 2003 R2, EFS improvements give you the ability to authorize additional users to access encrypted files, encrypt offline files, and store encrypted files in Web folders.
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Services for Macintosh
Services for Macintosh provides Macintosh users with access to files stored on a computer running Windows Server 2003 R2. The File Server for Macintosh service make a file server accessible over TCP/IP and AppleTalk networks. The Print Server for Macintosh service allows Macintosh clients to print to print shares on Windows NT, Windows 2000, or Windows Server 2003 R2 systems through the AppleTalk protocol. In addition, a 300-dpi PostScript RIP engine allows Macintosh-generated PostScript print jobs to be sent to non-PostScript printers, such as inkjet printers.
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Shadow Copies of Shared Folders
The Shadow Copies of Shared Folders feature provides point-in-time copies for network folders. Users can easily access previous versions of their files through the Windows Explorer by right-clicking a file or folder.
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Storage area network support
Storage area networks (SANs) are significantly easier to use in Windows Server 2003 R2. With the aid of a SAN-friendly button, administrators can easily control how volumes are mounted, a benefit that protects volumes from unintentional access. Improved handling of fiber channel SANs and improved SAN host bus adapter (HBA) interoperability further eases administration. With vendor support, the ability to boot from SAN is greatly enhanced as well.
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Virtual Disk Service (VDS)
Virtual Disk Service (VDS) enables storage devices from different vendors to interoperate in Windows. VDS provides an application programming interface (APIs) to the storage hardware and the programs that manage the storage hardware. Administrators can discover and configure storage devices from various vendors using a unified interface. Without VDS, each vendor's storage device typically includes a separate management interface, resulting in many management interfaces in a mixed storage environment.
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Volume Shadow Copy Service: transportable hardware snapshots
The Volume Shadow Copy service provides an infrastructure for creating a point-in-time copy of a single volume or multiple volumes. Used for managing data from direct attached storage to storage area networks (SANs), the Volume Shadow Copy service coordinates with business applications, backup applications, and storage hardware to enable application-aware data management. Volume Shadow Copy service takes advantage of high-performance hardware snapshots before it uses snapshots from vendor software and Microsoft software. Only Windows Server 2003 R2, Enterprise Edition, and Windows Server 2003 R2, Datacenter Edition, support hardware transport snapshots. To support hardware transport snapshots, hardware vendors must supply providers for the Volume Shadow Copy Service. Other Volume Shadow Copy Service functionality is available in all versions of Windows Server 2003 R2.
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Windows SharePoint Services V2 SP2
Windows SharePoint Services is a technology in Windows Server 2003. It allows people to collaborate in browser-based workspaces. Previously available as a web download it is now available as an integrated component in the Windows Server 2003 R2 media. As part of Windows Server 2003 R2, Windows SharePoint Services supports true one click installation and integrated management as a new server role. In addition WSS SP2 supports advanced types of extranet configuration using reverse proxy as well as load balancers as well as latest Microsoft technologies such as SQL Server 2005 and Visual Studio 2005.
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Hardware Specifications
16-way symmetric multiprocessing (SMP) support
Windows Server 2003 R2, Enterprise Edition, supports new systems with 8-way to 16-way symmetric multiprocessing. The Windows Server 2003 Family supports single or multiple CPUs that conform to the SMP standard. Using SMP, the operating system can run threads on any available processor, which makes it possible for applications to use multiple processors when additional processing power is required to increase the capability of a system. New features include SMP locking performance, improved registry performance, and increased Terminal Server sessions.
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2-way symmetric multiprocessing (SMP) support
The Windows Server 2003 Family supports single or multiple CPUs that conform to the SMP standard. Using SMP, the operating system can run threads on any available processor, which makes it possible for applications to use multiple processors when additional processing power is required to increase the capability of a system. New features include SMP locking performance, improved registry performance, and increased Terminal Server sessions.
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32-way symmetric multiprocessing (SMP) support
Windows Server 2003 R2, Datacenter Edition, supports new systems with 8-way to 32-way SMP. The Windows Server 2003 Family supports single or multiple CPUs that conform to the SMP standard. Using SMP, the operating system can run threads on any available processor, which makes it possible for applications to use multiple processors when additional processing power is required to increase the capability of a system. New features include SMP locking performance, improved registry performance, and increased Terminal Server sessions.
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4-way symmetric multiprocessing (SMP) support
Windows Server 2003 R2, Standard Edition, supports new systems with up to 4-way SMP. The Windows Server 2003 Family supports single or multiple CPUs that conform to the SMP standard. Using SMP, the operating system can run threads on any available processor, which makes it possible for applications to use multiple processors when additional processing power is required to increase the capability of a system. New features include SMP locking performance, improved registry performance, and increased Terminal Server sessions.
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8-way symmetric multiprocessing (SMP) support
Windows Server 2003 R2, Enterprise Edition, supports new systems with up to 8-way SMP. The Windows Server 2003 Family supports single or multiple CPUs that conform to the SMP standard. Using SMP, the operating system can run threads on any available processor, which makes it possible for applications to use multiple processors when additional processing power is required to increase the capability of a system. New features include SMP locking performance, improved registry performance, and increased Terminal Server sessions.
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Support for 128 GB of RAM
Windows Server 2003 R2, Datacenter Edition, supports new systems with 128 GB of RAM, which facilitates improved system scalability and performance. The more RAM added to a server beyond minimum requirements, the more memory available for applications to use.
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Support for 2 GB of RAM
Windows Server 2003, Web Edition, supports new systems with up to 2 GB of RAM, which facilitates improved system scalability and performance. The more RAM added to a server beyond minimum requirements, the more memory available for applications to use.
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Support for 32 GB of RAM
Windows Server 2003 R2, Enterprise Edition, supports new systems with 32 GB of RAM, which facilitates improved system scalability and performance. The more RAM added to a server beyond minimum requirements, the more memory available for applications to use.
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Support for 4 GB of RAM
Windows Server 2003 R2, Standard Edition, supports new systems with up to 4 GB of RAM, which facilitates improved system scalability and performance. The more RAM added to a server beyond minimum requirements, the more memory available for applications to use.
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Support for 64 GB of RAM
The 64-bit versions of Windows Server 2003 R2, Enterprise Edition and Datacenter Edition, supports new systems with up to 64 GB of RAM.
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Management Technologies
Access control entry (ACE) editor
The access control entry (ACE) editor enhances the standard access control. Administrators can now reset access control list (ACL) permissions to the default, show effective permissions for a selected security principal, and indicate the parent of an inherited permission. In addition, a check box now indicates the existence of additional permissions.
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Active Directory: install replica from media
In the Active Directory service, administrators can quickly create replica domain controllers for a preexisting domain from media. That is, instead of replicating a complete copy of an Active Directory database over a network, this feature allows an administrator to initiate replication from files created when backing up an existing domain controller or global catalog server. The backup files are generated by any Active Directory-aware backup utility and can be transported to the candidate domain controller using tape, CD, DVD, or by performing a file copy over a network.
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Assisted support Microsoft incident submission and management
Assisted support allows users to submit electronic support incidents to Microsoft, collaborate with support engineers, and manage submitted incidents.
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Automated System Recovery (ASR)
Automated System Recovery (ASR) helps you recover your system in the event that your system or hard disk fails. The necessary backup materials for ASR are easily prepared through wizards that are part of backup. By using ASR in combination with standard data and application backups, you can restore a system to its state when last backed up.
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Bandwidth throttling
Internet Information Services (IIS) 6.0 takes advantage of operating system settings to support bandwidth throttling. Administrators can now enable throttling for individual host-header sites, which allows IIS 6.0 to send responses for a given site in parallel. By contrast, IIS 5.0 serialized each response.
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Command-line tools
New command-line tools and utilities provide improved management and administration of computers. A new and updated command-line help file is included as well to document the CMD.exe shell and every tool.
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Configure Your Server and Manage Your Server Wizards
The Configure Your Server Wizard provides step-by-step guidance for configuring a server for a specified server roles. The Typical configuration option makes it easy to configure a server for any of five different roles, while a custom configuration option provides a set of predefined server roles. The Manage Your Server Wizard provides a central place to discover, inspect, and manage server roles. Through a single interface, administrators can link to role specific resources and help.
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Disk quota support
You can set disk quotas on NTFS file system volumes to monitor and limit the amount of disk space that is available to individual users. You can also define the responses that result when users exceed specified thresholds.
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Group Policy management
Group Policy gives IT administrators greater control over their Windows computing environments through an easy-to-use interface. Through Group Policy, administrators can establish policy-based management of critical IT functions, such as security, users, data, software access, and software configurations, across groups of users and IT assets, such as machines, domains, sites, and organizational units. Windows Server 2003 R2 includes the new Group Policy Management Console (GPMC) and other enhancements. Administrators can now easily determine Group Policy settings on target entities, perform what-if simulations on the effects of Group Policy settings, create better Group Policy reports, import and export group policy settings, and script Group Policy operations.
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Group Policy Management Console (GPMC)
The new Group Policy Management Console (GPMC) helps you manage your enterprise more cost-effectively. It consists of a new Microsoft Management Console (MMC) snap-in and a set of scriptable interfaces for managing Group Policy.
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Headless server support
Support for a headless server provides you with the ability to install and manage a computer without a monitor, VGA display adaptor, keyboard, or mouse. Management controllers and management ports are supported as well so that servers can be managed even during system startup or when a system has crashed.
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Hot Add Memory
With Hot Add Memory, you can add ranges of memory to a computer, which then can be made available to an operating system and applications as part of the normal memory pool. This action does not require rebooting the computer and involves no downtime. Hot Add Memory operates only on servers that have hardware support for adding memory while the server is operating. Most existing servers do not have such hardware support and can be damaged if memory is installed while the power is on. It is recommended that you consult your server operator's manual for more information. Note: This feature is not available in 64-bit versions of the Windows Server 2003 Family.
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IntelliMirror management technologies
Intellimirror technologies help IT administrators reduce costs while maintaining high levels of control over portable and desktop systems. IntelliMirror provides this control on client systems running Windows 2000 Professional or Windows XP Professional. Through IntelliMirror, you can define policies based on business roles, group memberships, and locations. With these policies, Windows 2000 Professional desktops and Windows XP Professional desktops are automatically reconfigured to meet a specific user's requirements each time that user logs on to the network, regardless of where the user logs on.
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Microsoft Management Console (MMC)
Microsoft Management Console (MMC) provides a consistent graphical user interface infrastructure and mechanism for viewing and managing system, application, and user settings. You can use MMC to arrange your frequently used administrative tools within a single interface. You can also delegate tasks to specific users by creating preconfigured MMC consoles for them. The consoles provide the users with the tools that you select.
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MMC 3.0
Microsoft Management Console (MMC) 3.0 has been expanded to include an enterprise-wide administration framework for managing file and print services. Administrators will benefit from the familiar look and feel of Microsoft's standard management interface. Businesses can mitigate the need for on-site administrators or third-party consultants for resolving local issues.
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Operating system migration, support, and integration
The Windows Server 2003 Family of products provides interoperability with and support for the following: Windows NT Server 3.51 and 4.0; Windows 3.x, Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows 2000, and Windows NT Workstation 4.0. In addition, interoperability with UNIX is provided through the Windows Services for UNIX add-in pack. Support for Telnet services provides remote access and administration. Mainframe and midrange connectivity support is delivered using S/390 and AS/400 transaction and queuing gateways through Host Integration Server. Support for Macintosh clients is provided by Services for Macintosh, which allows Macintosh clients to use the TCP/IP protocol to share files and to access shares on a server running Windows Server 2003 R2, Standard Edition; Windows Server 2003 R2, Enterprise Edition; or Windows Server 2003 R2, Datacenter Edition.
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Password Backup and Restore Wizard
A new Password Backup and Restore Wizard makes it easy for users to create a backup disk that can be used to reset their password. The wizard provides users with a secure mechanism for resetting their password without administrative intervention. The password is not stored on the backup disk-the disk can be used only to reset the password for the associated user account.
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Print Management Console
The Print Management Console (PMC) provides a richer view of a networks printer topology, enabling an IT administrator to monitor and react quickly to printer situations and thus allow seamless productivity for branch office print users. Ultimately, PMC allows branch servers to perform as print servers, due to the manageability benefits it provides.
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Quality of Service
Quality of Service (QoS)-based services and protocols provide a guaranteed, end-to-end, express delivery system for information across the network.
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Recovery Console
With Recovery Console, you can start a command-line console on a system that cannot otherwise start. For example, a problem with drivers or files might prevent a system from starting. From Recovery Console, you can use basic commands to recover the system.
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Remote Assistance
You can use Remote Assistance to remotely control a computer. With an invitation, Remote Assistance is a convenient way for you to connect to a remote computer from a computer running Windows XP or any product in the Windows Server 2003 Family. After you are connected, you can view the remote computer's screen and chat in real time. With permission, you can even use the remote user's mouse and keyboard to work on the remote computer. Note: This feature is not available in 64-bit versions of the Windows Server 2003 Family.
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Remote Installation Services (RIS)
With Remote Installation Services (RIS), you can create installation images of operating systems or even of complete computer configurations, including desktop settings and applications. You can then make these images available to users at client computers. The client computers must support remote booting with the Pre-Boot eXecution Environment (PXE) ROM; otherwise, they must be started with a remote-startup floppy disk.
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Renaming domains
You can change the DNS and NetBIOS names for existing domains in a forest such that the resulting forest is still well formed. The identity of a renamed domain is represented by its domain globally unique ID and domain security ID; thus, its identity does not change. In addition, a computer's domain membership does not change because of renaming the holding domain.
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Safe mode
By using safe mode, you can diagnose problems with drivers and other components that might be preventing normal startup. In safe mode, you can start the Windows operating system with a minimal set of drivers and services, and then view a log showing the sequence of events at startup.
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Software restriction policies
Software restriction policies are a policy-driven mechanism for identifying software running in a domain and controlling its ability to run. A software restriction policy can identify a hostile or unwanted program, and then prevent it from executing on computers specified by the policy.
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Troubleshooting diagnostic tool
The troubleshooting diagnostic tool helps you resolve problems that may arise with the operating system. The tool automates common troubleshooting steps through a single interface. Users step through a series of check boxes to apply system changes, and then the tool provides options for more advanced troubleshooting and problem resolution.
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User State Migration Tool (USMT)
The User State Migration Tool (USMT) allows you to collect a wide variety of user settings, including software settings, and transfer them to a new desktop as part of a deployment or upgrade. A command-line tool, USMT gives you flexibility to specify which settings to restore. USMT uses customizable system information (.inf) files. The default .inf files migrate the majority of shell settings, Internet, and e-mail connectivity settings, as well as common Microsoft Office file types.
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Windows Deployment Services (WDS)
Windows Deployment Services (WDS)
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Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) Command Line
The Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) command line provides administrators with unified and direct access to the management functions of local and remote systems. Administrators can create queries based on this data and monitor local and remote Windows Server 2003 R2 and Windows XP systems directly. Results can be displayed through the command-line interface, or it can be retrieved in XML format, and then processed by built-in or custom XSL output formats. WMI follows the specifications of the industry standard Common Information Model (CIM) defined by the Distributed Management Task Force (DMTF).
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Networking and Communications
802.1X wireless network support
Support for 802.1X wireless networks provides improved security and performance for wireless local area networks (LANs). Enhancements include automatic key management, user authentication, and authorization prior to LAN access. Local packet correction assures fast recovery, which virtually eliminates packet corruption and interruption while delivering an uninterrupted viewing experience over high-latency network connections, such as wireless and satellite. Through its 802.1X support, the operating system also provides access control for Ethernet networks when wired Ethernet is used.
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Asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) support
Asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) is a high-speed, connection-oriented protocol designed to transport multiple types of traffic across a network. ATM applies to both local area networks (LANs) and wide area networks (WANs). Using ATM, your network can simultaneously transport a wide variety of network traffic, such as voice, data, image, and video.
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Automatic configuration for connecting to multiple networks
Automatic configuration provides easy access to network devices and the Internet. When a computer attempts to connect to a network device or the Internet, an alternate configuration is used automatically if TCP/IP cannot find a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) server. For example, a computer may be used on more than one network, one of which does not have a DHCP server, and an automatic private IP addressing configuration is not desired. The automatic, alternative configuration provides seamless operations. It also benefits mobile computer users, who can operate on both office and home networks without having to reconfigure TCP/IP settings manually.
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Connection Manager
Connection Manager provides support for local and remote connections to your service by using a network of access points, such as those available worldwide through Internet service providers (ISP).
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DHCP with DNS and Active Directory
Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) works with DNS and Active Directory on IP networks, helping to free you from assigning and tracking static IP addresses. DHCP dynamically assigns IP addresses to computers or other resources connected to an IP network.
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E-mail services (POP3, SMTP)
The Post Office Protocol 3 (POP3) service provides e-mail transfer and retrieval services. You can use the POP3 service to store and manage basic e-mail accounts on a mail server. Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) supports the transfer of e-mail between servers.
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Internet Authentication Service (IAS) proxy
The proxy component of Internet Authentication Service (IAS) supports the ability to separate the authentication and authorization of connection requests. The IAS proxy can forward a user authentication request to an external Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service (RADIUS) server for authentication, and then perform its own authorization using a user account in an Active Directory domain and a locally configured remote access policy. With IAS proxy, you can use alternate user authentication databases; however, connection authorization and restrictions are determined through local administration. In Windows Server 2003 R2, Standard Edition, you can configure IAS with a maximum of 50 RADIUS network access servers, a maximum of two remote RADIUS server groups, and unlimited users.
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Internet Connection Sharing (ICS)
With the Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) feature of Network Connections, you can connect your home network or small office network to the Internet. For example, you might have a home network that connects to the Internet through a dial-up connection. By enabling ICS on the computer that uses the dial-up connection, you can provide Network Address Translation (NAT) addressing and name resolution services for all the computers on your network.
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Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6)
Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6) is next-generation suite of standard network layer protocols for the Internet. Windows Server 2003 R2 supports IPv6, which was designed to solve many of the problems of the current version (IPv4), such as address depletion. IPv6 improves support for security, automatic configuration, extensibility, and more.
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Layer Two Tunneling Protocol (L2TP) support
Layer Two Tunneling Protocol (L2TP) is a more secure version of Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol (PPTP), used for tunneling, address assignment, and authentication.
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Microsoft Identity Integration Server 2003 (MIIS) support
MIIS is a centralized service that stores and integrates identity information from multiple directories in an organization. The goal of a MIIS is to provide an organization with a unified view of all known identity information about users, applications, and network resources. MIIS solves important business issues that result from having information stored in multiple, disparate data repositories throughout an organization. It is available only for Windows Server 2003 R2, Enterprise Edition. For further information about MIIS please visit http://www.microsoft.com.
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NetDMA
NetDMA
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Network Address Translation (NAT)
Network Address Translation (NAT) hides internally managed IP addresses from external networks by translating private internal addresses to public external addresses. This translation reduces IP address registration costs by letting you use private IP addresses internally, , which are translated to a small number of registered IP addresses externally. NAT also hides the internal network structure, reducing the risk of attacks against internal systems.
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Network Bridge
The Network Bridge feature provides an easy and inexpensive way to connect local area network (LAN) segments. Through Network Bridge, users can bridge connections among different computers and devices on their network, even when they connect to the network through different methods.
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Plug and Play
Plug and Play technology combines hardware and software support in such a way that a server can recognize and adapt to hardware configuration changes automatically, without your intervention and or restarting the computer.
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Point-to-Point Protocol over Ethernet (PPPoE) connections
A native driver supports Point-to-Point Protocol over Ethernet (PPPoE), which makes broadband connections to certain Internet service providers (ISPs) without the need for additional software.
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Receive Side Scaling (RSS)
Receive Side Scaling (RSS)
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Routing and Remote Access
With Routing and Remote Access, your server can function as a remote access server, a VPN server, a gateway, or a branch-office router. Routing and Remote Access is a single, integrated service that terminates connections from either dial-up or virtual private network (VPN) clients or that provides routing (IP, IPX, and Services for Macintosh), or both.
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TCP Offloading
TCP Offloading
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Virtual private networking
You can give users ready access to your organization's network even when they are out of the office-and reduce the cost of this access-by implementing a virtual private network (VPN). A VPN connection creates a secure tunnel across the Internet into a private network. The Windows Server 2003 Family includes two types of VPN technologies: Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol (PPTP), which employs user-level Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP) authentication methods and Microsoft Point-to-Point Encryption (MPEE) for data encryption; and Layer Two Tunneling Protocol (L2TP) with Internet Protocol Security (IPSec). L2TP employs user-level PPP authentication methods and machine-level certificates with IPSec for data encryption. On Windows Server 2003 R2, Web Edition, and Windows Server 2003 R2, Standard Edition, you can create up to 1,000 PPTP ports, and you can create up to 1,000 L2TP ports. However, Windows Server 2003 R2, Web Edition, can accept only one VPN connection at a time. Windows Server 20
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Voice over IP (VoIP) Support
Voice over IP (VoIP) technology enhances the Remote Assistance service by enabling a voice session when a Remote Help Connection is established. Note: This feature is not available in 64-bit versions of the Windows Server 2003 Family.
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Print Services
Old Print server cluster support-old
This feature improves productivity by making it easier to install printer drivers on server clusters. When installing a printer driver on a virtual cluster, Windows Server 2003 R2 automatically propagates the driver to all nodes of the cluster.
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Print server: cluster support
Clustering support for print servers improves user productivity by making it easier to install printer drivers on server clusters. When you install a printer driver on a virtual cluster, Windows Server 2003 R2 automatically propagates the driver to all nodes of the cluster.
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Print server: command-line interface
Windows Server 2003 R2 provides new command-line utilities for many print management tasks, including printer management and configuration, job and queue control, port management, and driver management. Extended command-line capabilities are provided as well as an accessible Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) interface.
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Print server: increased performance for network printing
An enhanced standard port monitor provides a fast and robust method for printing to network-attached printers and now provides better performance and richer device status. Other enhancements include support for wireless printing and print drivers that can be downloaded automatically when client computers connect to print servers, a benefit that simplifies printing for users and administrators.
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Services for Macintosh
Services for Macintosh provides Macintosh users with access to files stored on a computer running Windows Server 2003 R2. The File Server for Macintosh service make a file server accessible over TCP/IP and AppleTalk networks. The Print Server for Macintosh service allows Macintosh clients to print to print shares on Windows NT, Windows 2000, or Windows Server 2003 R2 systems through the AppleTalk protocol. In addition, a 300-dpi PostScript RIP engine allows Macintosh-generated PostScript print jobs to be sent to non-PostScript printers, such as inkjet printers.
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Security Services
All-user Remote Access Service (RAS) credential
Through the all-user Remote Access Service (RAS) credential feature, a connection can be created with a set of credentials, including the user name and password that are available for all users of a given computer.
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Certificate Services
Using Certificate Services and certificate management tools, you can deploy your own public key infrastructure (PKI). With a PKI, you can implement standards-based technologies, such as smart card logon capabilities, client authentication through Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) and Transport Layer Security (TLS), secure e-mail, digital signatures, and secure connectivity using Internet Protocol Security (IPSec). Using Certificate Services, you can set up and manage certification authorities (CAs) that issue and revoke X.509 v3 certificates. As a result, you are not dependent on commercial client authentication services, although you can integrate commercial client authentication into your PKI if you choose.
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Credential Management
Credential Management provides a secure store of user credentials, including passwords and public key infrastructure (X.509) certificates. This provides a single sign-on experience for users, including roaming users.
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Encrypting File System (EFS)
Encrypting File System (EFS) technology is used to store encrypted files on NTFS volumes. Encrypted files and folders are easy to use and look like any other file or folder-available to authorized users but inaccessible to anyone else. EFS is particularly beneficial for mobile users who may face a higher risk of computer loss or theft. An unauthorized person who tries to access encrypted files or folders is prevented from doing so, even if the intruder has physical access to the computer. In Windows Server 2003 R2, EFS improvements give you the ability to authorize additional users to access encrypted files, encrypt offline files, and store encrypted files in Web folders.
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Internet Authentication Service (IAS) proxy
The proxy component of Internet Authentication Service (IAS) supports the ability to separate the authentication and authorization of connection requests. The IAS proxy can forward a user authentication request to an external Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service (RADIUS) server for authentication, and then perform its own authorization using a user account in an Active Directory domain and a locally configured remote access policy. With IAS proxy, you can use alternate user authentication databases; however, connection authorization and restrictions are determined through local administration. In Windows Server 2003 R2, Standard Edition, you can configure IAS with a maximum of 50 RADIUS network access servers, a maximum of two remote RADIUS server groups, and unlimited users.
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Internet Connection Firewall
Internet Connection Firewall (ICF) provides a firewall for better Internet security. Designed for use in the home and small business, ICF provides protection on computers directly connected to the Internet. ICF is available for local area network (LAN) or dial-up networking, virtual private networking (VPN), and Point-to-Point Protocol over Ethernet (PPPoE) connections. It also prevents external sources from scanning ports and resources, such as file and printer shares. Note: This feature is not available in 64-bit versions of the Windows Server 2003 Family.
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Internet Protocol Security (IPSec) support
You can use Internet Protocol Security (IPSec) to secure communications within an intranet and to create secure virtual private network (VPN) solutions across the Internet. IPSec was designed by the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) as an industry standard for encrypting TCP/IP traffic.
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Kerberos v5 protocol support
Kerberos v5 is a mature, industry-standard network authentication protocol. Support for Kerberos v5 provides a fast, single sign-on process gives users the access they need to enterprise resources, as well as to other environments that support this protocol. Through Kerberos v5, Windows Server 2003 R2 offers additional benefits, such as mutual authentication, where a client and server must both provide authentication, and delegated authentication, where a user's credentials are tracked end-to-end.
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Storage Management
Automated System Recovery (ASR)
Automated System Recovery (ASR) helps you recover your system in the event that your system or hard disk fails. The necessary backup materials for ASR are easily prepared through wizards that are part of backup. By using ASR in combination with standard data and application backups, you can restore a system to its state when last backed up.
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Distributed File System Replication
Windows Server 2003 R2 includes a completely rewritten replication engine for the Distributed File System (DFS). DFS Replication (DFS-R) provides a robust multimaster file replication service, which is significantly more scalable and efficient in synchronizing file servers than its predecessor, File Replication Services (FRS). DFS-R schedules and throttles replication schemes, supports multiple replication topologies, and utilizes Remote Differential Compression (RDC) to increase WAN efficiency. If WAN connections fail, data can be stored and forwarded when WAN connections become available.
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Encrypting File System
Encrypting File System (EFS) technology is used to store encrypted files on NTFS volumes. Encrypted files and folders are easy to use and look like any other file or folder-available to authorized users but inaccessible to anyone else. EFS is particularly beneficial for mobile users who may face a higher risk of computer loss or theft. An unauthorized person who tries to access encrypted files or folders is prevented from doing so, even if the intruder has physical access to the computer. In Windows Server 2003 R2, EFS improvements give you the ability to authorize additional users to access encrypted files, encrypt offline files, and store encrypted files in Web folders.
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File Server Resource Manager
File Server Resource Manager (FSRM) enables system administrators to understand how storage is being used and to manage the use of their storage by generating storage reports, applying quotas to volumes and folders, and screening files on the server. Using FSRM you can better plan and optimize storage by creating quotas, creating file screens, and scheduling storage reports.
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Multipath IO
Multipathing is a high availability function that provides multiple paths from the host to the external storage device. Although multipath IO (MPIO) is not a feature of the operating system, the MPIO Driver Development Kit (DDK) allows storage vendors to create interoperable multipathing solutions. Up to 32 paths are supported. Load balancing is an additional benefit that improves performance.
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Open File Backup
The backup utility in Windows Server 2003 R2 supports open file backup-the ability to back up files that are being accessed by a user. In Windows 2000, files had to be closed before initiating backup operations. The backup utility uses the Shadow Copies of Shared Folders feature to ensure open files are also backed up.
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Remote Differential Compression
Remote Differential Compression (RDC) is a WAN-friendly compression technology that replicates only the changes needed to ensure global file consistency.
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Shadow Copies of Shared Folders
The Shadow Copies of Shared Folders feature provides point-in-time copies for network folders. Users can easily access previous versions of their files through the Windows Explorer by right-clicking a file or folder.
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Storage area network (SAN) support
Storage area networks (SANs) are significantly easier to use in Windows Server 2003 R2, Enterprise Edition, and Windows Server 2003 R2, Datacenter Edition. By default, visible logical unit numbers (LUNs) are not automatically mounted, which helps prevent potential data corruption incidents. This feature is available as needed in Windows Server 2003 R2, Standard Edition, and Windows Server 2003 R2, Web Edition, but must be manually enabled. In addition, improved fiber channel support and SAN host bus adapter (HBA) interoperability further ease administration. Miniport-controllable queue management improves system stability by allowing HBA vendors to build drivers that can survive SAN transients. Expense and complexity is also reduced for customers through enhanced SAN-boot functionality. Though the use of Storeport drivers and with hardware vendor support, clusters can run on the same adapters. Storeport drivers are used with high-performance buses, such as fiber channel.
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Storage Manager for SANs
Stora