Yesterday we launched Windows Server 2003 R2 and relased it to manufacturing. Windows Server R2 will be broadly available in Switzerland in February 2006.

What is an R2 Release?

  • R2 is a Release Update and is based on the prior Major Release, in this case Windows Server 2003 incl. SP1
  • There are no changes to the Support-Cycle for the Major Release with the appearance of the Release Update
  • Windows Server 2003 R2 will be the only release available and thus R2 Editions replace the Major Releases.

What is new in Windows Server 2003 R2

  • Management of Branch-Office Servers
    • Simplified Management of Branch Office Servers with centralized management tools.
    • Lower administration cost through reduction of local administration and local back-up.
    • Uninterrupted business processes through faster data replication.
  • Identity- and Access Management
    • Increased benefit from Active Directory to securely cooperate with partners.
    • More efficiency for users due to less user passwords for internal and externally hosted web applications through Single Sign On and Identity Federations.
    • More security through automated de-provisioning of extranet accounts with the deactivation of an Active Directory Account.
  • Storage Management
    • Detailed information regarding storage usage through storage reporting.
    • Monitoring of storage usage trough directory based quotas.
    • File type restrictions and easy configuration of simple SANs (Storage Area Networks).

You can use following resources to get more information about Windows Server 2003 R2: