Windows Storage Server 2003 R2 is a dedicated file and print server based on Windows technology that is designed for dependability, ease of integration, and value. This network storage product, previously referred to as Windows Powered Network Attached Storage (NAS), is the new release of the operating system used by original equipment manufacturer (OEM) partners to create NAS devices.

Windows Server 2003 R2, an update release of the Windows Server 2003 operating system, makes it easier and more cost-effective to extend connectivity and control to identities, locations, data, and applications throughout and beyond your organization. Built on Windows Server 2003 with Service Pack 1 (SP1), R2 takes advantage of the stability and increased security of a proven code base while extending connectivity and control into new areas.

No, Service Packs are cumulative, meaning SP2 contains all previously released Security Bulletin Updates and installs all individual hotfixes released since Windows Server 2003 RTM.

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.

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.

Because only a small number of our customers have DVDs on their servers, Windows Server 2003 R2 will not be offered on DVD. However, documentation will be available to show you how to use unattend.txt files so that you can put both CDs on a single DVD yourself.

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

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 R2 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).

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.

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.

No. Windows Server 2003 R2 is focused on three scale-out workloads. The editions that include these workloads are:

Windows Server 2003 R2 is more than just a roll-up. There are only three Windows Server 2003 feature packs included in R2, and these feature packs have been updated since their initial release. For a complete list of Windows Server 2003 R2 features, read the Windows Server 2003 R2 Product Overview.

Windows Server 2003 Standard Edition (Windows Server 2003 SP1 support for Virtual Server 2005 R2 only) In April 2005, Microsoft announced future plans to support additional third-party operating systems, including certain Linux distributions, on Virtual Server 2005 R2. More details of the specific guest operating systems that will be supported and the means of support will be provided at a later date.

V2.1.0.1 can but you need to do the following after installation. Versions after V2.1.0.1 will have this problem fixed. Go to Control Panel - Administrative Tools - Internet Information Services (IIS) Manager (which used to be Internet Services Manager in Windows 2000). Select the Virtual Web Server or virtual directory on which SurfStatsLive was installed, right-click it and click "Properties".

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.

Windows Server 2003 with SP1—a requirement for Windows Server 2003 R2—is on CD 1. CD 2 includes the Windows Server 2003 R2 features.

Because Windows Server 2003 R2 is based on Windows Server 2003 SP1, all applications that work on SP1 will work on Windows Server 2003 R2. More information about Windows Server 2003 SP1 application compatibility is available on Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 Application Compatibility on the Microsoft Help and Support site.