Appendix A: Windows Server System Products

Unlike the mainframe environment, the Windows Server System is composed of many different products and technologies. This appendix is a brief introduction the products available from Microsoft.

Windows Server System

The Windows Server System is an integrated server infrastructure that is based on simplifying development, deployment, and management by anticipating business and technology needs and opportunities. It is designed to seamlessly interoperate with other data and applications within an IT environment, reducing the cost of ongoing operations, and delivering a highly reliable and more secure infrastructure.

The Windows Server System is based on the Windows Server 2003 operating system and offers a variety of different products and technologies that provide operations, applications, and information work infrastructures. The goal of the Windows Server System is to promote operational efficiencies through simplified deployment, management, and security; ensure high levels of dependability, performance, and productivity for application development; and seamlessly connect information, people, and systems.

For more information on the Windows Server System, refer to:

https://www.microsoft.com/windowsserversystem/

Windows Server 2003

Windows Server 2003 is the highly reliable, scalable, and more secure core operating system product of the Windows Server System. It can handle a variety of different roles including file and print server, Web and Web application server, mail server, terminal server, remote access and VPN server, media server, and can also provide a variety of directory and security services.

For more information on Windows Server 2003, refer to:

https://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/

Application Center

Application Center is the Microsoft deployment and management tool for high availability clustered Web applications. It reduces application management complexity by allowing administrators to quickly construct logical groupings including the contents, components, and configuration of applications. It also applies any changes made to a server by updating other servers in the cluster, automates the deployment of applications from one server to another, and allows applications to achieve on-demand scalability.

For more information on Application Center, refer to:

https://www.microsoft.com/applicationcenter/

BizTalk Server

BizTalk® Server serves as an effective tool for improving vital workflow from start to finish. BizTalk Server enables the integration of applications, technology systems, employees, and business partners; accelerating the development and deployment of business processes both internally and with trusted partners.

For more information on BizTalk Server, refer to:

https://www.microsoft.com/biztalk/

Commerce Server

Commerce Server combines a framework for building personalized portals with an extensive set of data warehousing and analysis tools. By taking advantage of the in-depth analytical capabilities of Commerce Server, companies can quickly modify their e-commerce sites and business approach to adapt to changing user and market trends.

For more information on Commerce Server, refer to:

https://www.microsoft.com/commerceserver/

Content Management Server

Content Management Server simplifies the process of creating, deploying, and maintaining content-rich Web pages. Content Management Server provides the capability to tailor Web pages to the needs of different browsing devices and effectively target and personalize the experience of individual site users. Content Management Server supports industry-standard load balancing and failover technologies, serves content in XML, and enables XML Web services customization and standards-based interoperability.

For more information on Content Management Server, refer to:

https://www.microsoft.com/cmserver/

Exchange Server

Exchange Server creates a reliable and manageable communications infrastructure that enhances productivity. Exchange Server supports a variety of different communication and collaboration options including Instant Messaging, real-time data and application sharing, group scheduling, video conferencing, and the synchronization of information and data on mobile and desktop devices.

For more information on Exchange Server, refer to:

https://www.microsoft.com/exchange/

Host Integration Server (HIS)

Host Integration Server extends Windows to other systems and provides application, data and network integration. Host Integration Server offers a seamless way to incorporate new technologies and existing investments by connecting legacy host systems with client/server and Web networks.

For more information on Host Integration Server, refer to:

https://www.microsoft.com/hiserver/

Identity Integration Server

Identity Integration Server is a centralized service that stores the identity information of users, applications, and network resources. MIIS helps reduce the security risks and costs associated with managing and integrating identity information across the enterprise. MIIS also simplifies the process of synchronizing information, provisioning and de-provisioning accounts, and managing passwords.

For more information on Identity Integration Server, refer to:

https://www.microsoft.com/windowsserversystem/miis2003/

Internet Security and Acceleration (ISA) Server

Internet Security and Application Server is an enterprise-level firewall and proxy server that provides fast, more secure, and manageable connectivity. ISA Server is easier to use than traditional firewalls and enhances Internet connectivity and e-mail security, including networking on a VPN. ISA Server increases productivity by providing quicker access to the Web, active caching and refreshing of frequently used content, and conserving network bandwidth resources. Because of its support for industry standard protocols, ISA makes an excellent choice even for mainframe-centric environments.

For more information about ISA Server, refer to:

https://www.microsoft.com/isaserver/

Live Communications Server

Microsoft Office Live Communication Server is the enterprise-ready instant messaging, presence awareness, and extensible real-time communication and collaboration platform that connects people, information, and business processes — enabling better decisions faster. With a familiar user experience integrated into the Microsoft Office System environment, Live Communications Server 2003 allows people to communicate without the constraints of geography, office location, or time zone.

For more information on Live Communication Server, refer to:

https://www.microsoft.com/office/livecomm/prodinfo/overview.mspx

Microsoft Operations Manager

Microsoft Operations Manager was created to help prevent typical IT problems and support issues from arising. MOM is designed to help staff stay aware of the status of IT health, improve response times to any issues, and effectively share information about key issues.

For more information on Microsoft Operations Manager, refer to:

https://www.microsoft.com/mom/

SharePoint Portal Server

SharePoint® Portal Server is a business tool that creates a customized portal connecting users, teams, and knowledge across the enterprise. By establishing a SharePoint Portal, enterprises can effectively centralize relevant information, enabling users to find and disseminate information quickly, and ultimately facilitating end-to-end collaboration on projects. This allows information workers to easily find and make use of people, teams, and existing best practices without reinventing the process with each project.

For more information on SharePoint Portal Server, refer to:

https://www.microsoft.com/office/sharepoint/

Microsoft Speech Server

Microsoft Speech Server, is a flexible and integrated speech platform that enables enterprises to extend existing or new Web applications to be accessible by speech. This allows enterprises to merge their Web and voice infrastructure to create unified applications with both speech and visual access.

For more information on Microsoft Speech Server, refer to:

https://www.microsoft.com/speech/

Windows Small Business Server

Windows Small Business Server provides a complete business server solution with messaging and collaboration, security-enhanced Internet access, protected data storage, reliable printing, the capability to run line-of-business applications, and faxing. The end-to-end administration features help technology providers set up, run, and maintain networks productively and efficiently.

For more information on Windows Small Business Server, refer to:

https://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/sbs/

SQL Server

SQL Server 2000 is a Web-enabled enterprise-level RDBMS that enables organizations to create business applications rapidly. SQL Server also offers a suite of data analysis tools necessary to interpret data and optimize database performance, including integrated OLAP and ROLAP based Data Warehousing, and Business Intelligence and Data Mining/Visualization capabilities.

For more information on SQL Server, refer to:

https://www.microsoft.com/sql/

Windows Storage Server

Windows Storage Server is a dedicated file server software that simplifies storing and managing data, making it available to local and remote users as necessary, and protects important files from loss, disaster, or unauthorized access. Windows Storage Server includes advanced availability features such as point-in-time data copies, replication, and server clustering.

For more information on Windows Storage Server, refer to:

https://www.microsoft.com/windowsserversystem/wss2003/default.mspx

Systems Management Server (SMS)

Systems Management Server provides a comprehensive solution for automated distributed application deployment asset inventory, management and reporting; and security upgrade analysis, planning, distribution, and implementation. SMS can optimize the deployment of applications and security patches by identifying the system capabilities of users and locations and adjusting download/update properties accordingly.

For more information on Systems Management Server, refer to:

https://www.microsoft.com/smserver/

Microsoft Virtual Server

Microsoft Virtual Server features robust storage, networking, and management features, including a convenient Web-based management console. Virtual Server provides hardware benefits through virtual machine isolation, while resource management enables multiple workloads to coexist on fewer servers. In addition, organizations benefit from increased administrator productivity throughout the phases of the IT life cycle.

For more information on Microsoft Virtual Server, refer to:

https://www.microsoft.com/windowsserversystem/virtualserver/default.mspx