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Microsoft have released the next update to Windows Server 2003 into beta today. In a note to beta testers Microsoft advises that testers should not install R2 on a later pre-release of Windows Server 2003 SP1. The R2 Beta 1 (build 1711) will only work on SP1 build 1289 (RC1).

Windows Server 2003 R2 Beta is effectively an additional disk of components for Windows Server 2003 SP1. Some of the components included are:

Active Directory Application Mode (ADAM)/Active Directory Federation Services
Active Directory Application Mode (ADAM) is an independent mode of Active Directory, without infrastructure features, that provides directory services for applications. The fundamental purpose of Active Directory Federation Services is to leverage single user sign-on to authenticate the user to multiple related web applications over the life of a single online session.

Common Log File System (CLFS)
You can use Common Log File System (CLFS) for Windows to build reliable user-mode or kernel-mode components that run on a single system or in a server cluster environment.

File Server Workload Role
File Server Workload Role provides a single interface for Directory Quotas, File Screening, Storage Reports, Simple SAN Manager, Distributed File System (DFS), File Replication service (FRS) and Windows Services for NFS.

Microsoft Services for Network File System (MSNFS)
Microsoft Services for Network File System (MSNFS) provides Windows-based implementations of both the client and server aspects of Network File System (NFS), as well as related services and utilities.

MMC 2.1
MMC 2.1 supports richer functionality in snap-ins that are written to take advantage of the MMC 2.1. New components include, New Action pane, New Add/Remove Snap-in dialog box and Improved error handling.

Print Management Console (PMC)
The Print Management Console (PMC) is a single interface to manage all the printers across all the print servers in your environment. Using the PMC, administrators can view all printers that are in error, receive email notifications or run a script when needed, deploy printer connections out to their clients, and automatically find and install all network printers on their local branch-office subnet.

Storage Resource Management
Storage Resource Management is a suite of tools that allow IT administrators to understand and control the type and quantity of data stored on their servers by generating storage reports, placing quotas on volumes and folders, and screening files.

Screenshot: >> Click here <<
News source: Neowin's Windows Beta Discussion

B]Features:[/B]

· The best PC performance: Choose between a silent running mode or the best graphics performance settings and the wizard automatically adjusts all performance metrics (clocks, voltages, fan speeds, bus speeds, etc.) to get the best options for the hardware in the system.
· Improved dynamic overclocking: Provides on-the-fly overclocking and BIOS configuration within an easy-to-use Windows interface that is streamlined and simplified for better user understanding.
· Benchmarking wizard: See how your PC configuration stacks up against synthetic benchmarks before and after adjusting system parameters.
· Saved system profiles: Save, import, and export custom overclocking or BIOS profiles. Assign profiles to favorite programs for automatic application. A safety "watchdog" checks temperature and steps system down if failure could occur.
· GPU overclocking: Overclocking of GeForce FX and GeForce 6 Series GPUs is supported in concert with system overclocking, temperature monitoring, and system profiles.
· System troubleshooting: An automated reporting tool captures all needed information to help you determine when problems may be happening to the system, and helps you troubleshoot.
· Improved system monitoring: Temperatures, voltages, and bus speeds are now available as an “always-on-top” window with a transparency option so that it is visible at all times.
· Voltage and bus speed monitoring: Track actual motherboard voltages, GPU clocks, bus speeds, and CPU core speed to ensure safe and correct settings.
· Temperature and fan speed monitoring: Real-time monitoring of CPU, GPU and system temperatures helps prevent hardware damage. nTune supports dual-CPU and SLI multi-GPU systems.
· Dynamically adjustable voltages and fan speeds: Adjust motherboard voltage levels without a reboot, as well as dynamically control fan speeds.
· Dynamically adjustable memory timings: Change critical memory timings without rebooting and without entering the BIOS.