Windows Server 2008

With the launch of Microsoft Windows Server 2008 on February 2008, I want to show you a feature I am fond of in this new operating system. With Windows Server 2008, you have the option of performing a Windows Server Core installation, which provides you with the minimum set of tools to run Windows.You are provided with a kernel and a command line to manage the server. It is slim and bare bones and allows you to configure Windows concisely. This type of installation is perfect for a datacenter.

When you first run through the installation of Windows Server 2008, you have two options for installation. They are:

• Windows Server 2008 Enterprise (Full Installation)
• Windows Server 2008 Enterprise (Server Core Installation)

Here you walk through the installation of Windows Server Core which take approximately ten minutes to install.

Download Windows Server 2008 Enterprise - Server Core Installation [PDF]

The Windows Firewall was first introduced with Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2), and was later added to Windows Server 2003 as part of Service Pack 1 (SP1). The Windows Firewall was a big improvement over its predecessor, which had no built-in, host-based firewall at all. This initial release was very basic and included only the most fundamental functionality. With the advent of Vista and Windows Server 2008, the Windows Firewall has been given a substantial makeover and is now known as Windows Firewall with Advanced Security (WFAS). Keep reading for a description of the new features in WFAS as well as a step-by-step configuration example.

Here is a list of some of the most important new features in WFAS:

• WFAS is enabled by default in Windows Server 2008
• The firewall now supports both incoming and outgoing rules
• There is a new Microsoft Management Console (MMC) snap-for WFAS and in this new interface the firewall configuration has been merged with Internet Protocol Security (IPSec) configuration
• Command line interface changes
• Configuration of rules/exceptions is much more powerful
• New profile options

Read the rest at Enterprise Networking

The Windows Firewall was first introduced with Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2), and was later added to Windows Server 2003 as part of Service Pack 1 (SP1). The Windows Firewall was a big improvement over its predecessor, which had no built-in, host-based firewall at all. This initial release was very basic and included only the most fundamental functionality. With the advent of Vista and Windows Server 2008, the Windows Firewall has been given a substantial makeover and is now known as Windows Firewall with Advanced Security (WFAS). Keep reading for a description of the new features in WFAS as well as a step-by-step configuration example.

Here is a list of some of the most important new features in WFAS:

• WFAS is enabled by default in Windows Server 2008
• The firewall now supports both incoming and outgoing rules
• There is a new Microsoft Management Console (MMC) snap-for WFAS and in this new interface the firewall configuration has been merged with Internet Protocol Security (IPSec) configuration
• Command line interface changes
• Configuration of rules/exceptions is much more powerful
• New profile options

Read the rest at Enterprise Networking

Microsoft has announced their new Hyper-V as feature-complete. Unfortunately the list of supported systems is disappointingly short.