What's New in File and Print Services

Windows SharePoint Service

Windows Server 2003 R2 provides a sophisticated collaboration system that takes your file and print level to the next level by empowering end users to share information and work together more effectively through collaboration on documents, meetings and projects.  This enhances your operating efficiency, and provides the functionality that makes your end users more productive.

This system also is designed to give the IT Pro, control over the environment, while providing end-user self-service to minimize calls to IT and/or the helpdesk.

Simplify end user collaboration by facilitating the sharing of documents amongst teams.

Effectively manage your documents, lists, contacts, and tasks in a team and project centric Windows SharePoint Services environment.

Leverage wide range of out-of-box custom scenarios with 30 new application templates for the Windows SharePoint Services platform, a starting point for effective collaborative experience.

Easily extend it to support your business processes and customer interactions.

Now built-in with Windows Server 2003 R2

Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS)

The ability to quickly create point-in-time copies of data, allowing easier and more reliable backups of important organizational data, even while files are open.

VSS significantly reduces a server's backup window by providing on-disk, point-in-time recoverable data sets.

All major backup independent software vendors (ISVs) are developing solutions based on VSS to take advantage of this service.

By moving a point-in-time copy to another server, a business analyst can query against the latest company data without affecting performance on the production system.

Introduced in Windows Server 2003

Encrypting File System (EFS)

EFS creates a layer of security that transparently encrypts data on the physical disk with no need for end user interaction, ensuring that data is safer.

Since data on the disk is encrypted, even a mobile user whose sensitive organizational data is lost or stolen will be safer from data theft.

Encryption of offline and Web folders now possible

EFS files can be shared among multiple users

Improved Print Cluster Support

Improve administrator productivity by making it easier to install and configure print clusters.

Hundreds, perhaps thousands, of printers can be installed on a highly available print cluster therefore allowing end users to have continual access to their resources, even during a hardware failure.

8-Node clusters supported in Windows Server 2003 Datacenter Edition, and Windows Server 2003 Enterprise Edition

Clustering is not available in Standard or Web editions.

Printer drivers automatically propagate to each node in the cluster

Improved Print Performance and Availability

Users will get their printed documents faster than ever.

Organizations see the need to consolidate print servers to lower total cost of operation (TCO) without losing performance or availability.

Optimized file spooling for higher print volume management

Kernel mode driver blocking

Enhanced printer redirection through Terminal Services

Increased CHKDSK Performance

CHKDSK is a program that verifies the logical integrity of a file system on Windows. When CHKDSK encounters logical inconsistencies it takes actions to repair file system data.

Because NTFS has always been a true journaling file system that supports file system recovery, it is very rare that a disk need to be checked (less than 1percent of unplanned outages require checking). However, in Windows Server 2003, CHKDSK performs faster, requiring even less downtime.

Performs 20-38 percent faster than Windows 2000 Server

Enhanced Distributed File System (DFS) and File Replication Services (FRS)

Build a single, hierarchical view of multiple file servers and file server shares on a network. DFS and FRS make files easier for users to locate, and increase availability by maintaining multiple replicas across distributed servers.

Users that store and edit documents in many shares across multiple servers will be more productive by accessing this data through a single unified namespace, made possible by DFS.

Also, if a server fails or an upgrade is taking place, users are automatically routed to another available server on the network that has a replica of the data. The user remains unaware of any problem or maintenance taking place.

Finally, DFS transparently redirects users to the closest replica of their data, reducing stress on the network.

Closest and dynamic site selection automatically directs users to the closest available physical replica of data enabling highly available access to data

Multiple DFS roots on a single Windows Server 2003 Enterprise Edition, allows increased namespace flexibility without requiring additional servers

Enhanced scripting and GUI administration makes it easy to setup, configure, and maintain a DFS infrastructure

Virtual Disk Service (VDS)

Implements a single, uniform interface for managing disks making it easier to administer storage investments.

Previously, each SAN vendor provided its own proprietary set of programming interfaces for managing its hardware, making it difficult to uniformly manage storage with one tool.

Now, ISVs can develop applications to manage any hardware that has a VDS provider.

Introduced in Windows Server 2003

Configure Your Server Wizard and Manage Your Server Wizard

Makes it easier to set up a server by helping guide administrators in installing the role or roles they want the server to perform in their business.

An administrator can use this feature for finishing setup, configuring server roles, or setting up the configuration of first or primary server on a network. File server and print server roles are supported.

Introduced in Windows Server 2003

Disk Quotas

Allows greater control of disk space leading to better availability of disk space while helping with capacity planning efforts.

Administrators can set quotas on disk space per user, per volume. Policies can also be set up for wide-scale remote management of disk quotas.

Introduced in Windows 2000 Server

Wide range of print devices

Administrators will have an additional 3,800 print drivers included with Windows Server 2003. Windows Server 2003 also now includes wireless (802.1X, Bluetooth) printing support.

Administrators can be assured that the latest printers will be supported in Windows Server 2003 so that organizations can take advantage in the latest hardware advances.

Approximately 1,500 more print drivers included in the box than Windows 2000 Server

Shadow Copies of Shared Folders

Users can quickly recover deleted or changed files stored on the network without administrator assistance, increasing productivity and reducing administrative costs.

Shadow copies of Shared Folders, in conjunction with My Document folder redirection, enables users' documents and files to constantly be backed up on the network and makes them resilient to multiple types of data loss, including user error.

Introduced in Windows Server 2003

Printer location awareness with Active Directory

Users can search for printers based on information stored in Active Directory to increase user productivity.

Users can search for a printer based on criteria such as location, features (color prints, double-sided capable), capacity (pages per minute, memory) or any combination.

Introduced in Windows 2000 Server

Content indexing

Allows a fast, easy, and secure way for users to search for information locally or on the network.

Users can search in files that use different formats and language, either through the Search command on the Start menu, or through HTML pages viewed in a browser.

Introduced in Windows 2000 Server

Internet printing

Send print jobs through the internet to a URL.

Users can simply print a document to a printer that resides on an intranet. Applications include commercial printing, hotel business centers, and Internet faxing.

Introduced in Windows 2000 Server