Besides being dedicated exclusively to file serving, Windows Storage Server 2003 R2 contains some important features not available in Windows Server 2003. These features include an advanced storage manager for file filtering and quota management, a new Network File System (NFS) server to improve performance, and a fully integrated Web-based user interface for remote management.

There are many different OEM models that are scalable through the addition of disk drawers to the main filer. Capacity varies from 320 gigabytes (GB) to over 60 terabytes. Multiple devices can also be added to the network to increase capacity as needed. The NTFS file system that powers Windows Storage Server 2003 has no limits (over four billion tested) in terms of the number of files on a volume and each NTFS volume can be up to 256 terabytes in size (tested). See similar questions...

No, these devices are specifically designed to be file servers with large amounts of storage capacity. They cannot be used to deploy business applications such as Microsoft SQL Server or Microsoft Exchange Server. Backup, antivirus, and other applications typically used in a file serving environment are supported along with any embedded database functionality including SQL Server and/or MSDE. See similar questions...

There are some new timeout problems during negotiation (I think). An LDAP option has been set in version 1.2, and it has resolved this issue. See similar questions...

The name was changed to reflect the integration of this product into the recently-announced Windows Server System. See similar questions...

The devices offered by OEM partners come in multiple configurations, from single disk devices to fully redundant hardware configurations at the storage failover level and the power supply and fans level. New features in Windows Storage Server 2003 R2 that can further increase redundancy are MultiPath IO (MPIO) and support for eight node clustering. Note that MPIO support depends on the OEM implementation. See similar questions...

Windows Storage Server 2003 R2 can run all popular Windows antivirus applications to scan data on storage devices. There is no need for additional servers, and no performance impact due to extra workload. See similar questions...

This product integrates Volume Shadow Copy Services (VSS) as a standard feature and allows up to 512 point-in-time shadow copies of data per volume when integrated with applications for rapid file recovery due to accidental deletion or corruption. In addition, the Shadow Copies for Shared Folders feature (enabled by the in-box provider) provides 64 point-in-time copies, as well as end user restore capabilities. See similar questions...

Most of the leading hardware manufacturers are expected to offer models based on Windows Storage Server 2003 R2. See the How to Buy page for more details. Your NAS device manufacturer, also know as Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), installs, preconfigures, and may customize the Microsoft software for your specific system and is, therefore, the best resource for technical support and updates/upgrades. A list of OEM support phone numbers is available. See similar questions...

Windows Storage Server 2003 natively supports Active Directory, allowing devices to become full members of existing domains. In addition, existing group policies can be used to manage access to Windows Storage Server 2003 devices, which is not true for devices using operating systems other than Windows. Note that this product cannot be a domain controller. See similar questions...

Windows Storage Server 2003 can authenticate and use existing Active Directory group policies without the need for a dedicated server to manage the Active Directory service. This makes integration into existing environments easier for administrators and less costly to organizations. See similar questions...

quot;The Windows Server 2003 family is the next step in the ongoing evolution of the Windows server operating systems. Windows Server 2003 builds on the proven reliability, scalability, and manageability of Windows 2000 Server, to deliver a highly productive infrastructure platform for powering connected applications, networks, and XML Web services?????"from the workgroup to the data center." See similar questions...

It is necessary to leave both Windows 2003 Server and Remote Data Backups open for a scheduled backup to occur. You can minimize Remote Data Backups. See similar questions...

Yes, migrate to Windows Server 2003. If you have already started migrating to Windows 2000 then continue with the existing migration before considering a new one. See similar questions...