I'm sure many of you will notice shortly (as the Service Pack is replicated out to all the download sites and Windows Update), but Service Pack 2 has been released for Windows Server 2003 (and for Windows XP x64).  I haven't had a chance to play with it yet, but once I do I will be sure to put up a post with the changes, any gotchas, and some Best Practices for upgrades.  In the meanwhile, I give you...

The enhancements to Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2 include:

  • Windows Deployment Services (WDS)
  • Enabling ‘Firewall Per Port’ Authentication
  • Microsoft Management Console 3.0 (MMC 3.0)
  • Wireless Protected Access 2 (WPA2)
  • iCACLS tool
  • Expanded Windows Server 2003 Datacenter SKUs
  • Release of MUI Packs to insure greater compatibility between base and MUI language
  • Performance Improvements for SQL Servers
  • Enhanced discoverability options in MSConfig
  • Improved IPsec filter management
  • Performance Improvements under Windows Virtualization
  • Increased default storage for Message Queuing
  • Improvements to DCDIAG Domain Name Service tests
  • New Events for Cluster Service Accounts
  • Scalable Networking Pack

Useful Reading:

Deployment Tools:

SP2 on the Download Center

Download this version of SP2 if you need to deploy it to multiple servers over a network.

SP2 Standalone ISO Image

Download this version of SP2 if you want to create your own CD.