Windows Server 2003 R2 Beta 1 Released

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.

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