Windows Server 2008 is built from the same code base as Windows Vista; therefore, it shares much of the same architecture and functionality. Since the code base is common, it automatically comes with most of the technical, security, management and administrative features new to Windows Vista such as the rewritten networking stack (native IPv6, native wireless, speed and security improvements); improved image-based installation, deployment and recovery; improved diagnostics, monitoring, event logging and reporting tools; new security features such as BitLocker and ASLR; improved Windows Firewall with secure default configuration; .NET Framework 3.0 technologies, specifically Windows Communication Foundation, Microsoft Message Queuing and Windows Workflow Foundation; and the core kernel, memory and file system improvements. Processors and memory devices are modeled as Plug and Play devices, to allow hot-plugging of these devices. This allows the system resources to be partitioned dynamically using Dynamic Hardware Partitioning; each partition has its own memory, processor and I/O host bridge devices independent of other partitions.

Windows Server 2003 comes in a number of editions, each targeted towards a particular size and type of business. In general, all variants of Windows Server 2003 have the ability to share files and printers, act as an application server, and host message queues, provide email services, authenticate users, act as an X.509 certificate server, provide LDAP directory services, serve streaming media, and to perform other server-oriented functions

Windows 7 is available in six different editions, but only the Home Premium, Professional, and Ultimate editions are available for retail sale to consumers in most countries.  The other editions are aimed at other markets, such as the developing world or enterprise use.  Each edition of Windows 7 includes all of the capabilities and features of the edition below it.  All editions support the 32-bit  processor architecture and all editions except Starter support the 64-bit (x86-64) processor architecture. The installation media is the same for all the consumer editions of Windows 7 that have the same processor architecture, with the license determining the features that are activated, and license upgrades permitting the subsequent unlocking of features without re-installation of the operating system.

Windows XP is an operating system produced by Microsoft for use on personal computers, including home and business desktops, laptops, and media centers. It was released in 2001. The name "XP" is short for "eXPerience."

Microsoft SharePoint allows a company to host intranet based webpages. It also enables the sharing of MS Office documents between users on the intranet. The Sharepoint resides on a server running the Sharepoint software

Microsoft Exchange Server, the cornerstone of Microsoft’s Unified Communications solution, is a flexible and reliable messaging platform that can help you lower your messaging costs by 50-80%, increase productivity with anywhere access to business communications, and safeguard your business with protection and compliance capabilities that help you manage risk.

Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 has been designed specifically to meet these challenges and address the needs of the different groups who have a stake in the messaging system. The capabilities of Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 deliver the advanced protection your company demands, the anywhere access your people want, and the operational efficiency you, in IT, need.

Exchange Server 2003 is available in two editions:

Exchange Server 2003 Standard Edition is designed to meet the messaging and collaboration needs of small and medium-size corporations.

Exchange Server 2003 Enterprise Edition is designed for large enterprise corporations and enables you to create multiple storage groups and multiple databases. Exchange Server 2003 Enterprise Edition provides an 8-terabyte (TB) public folder store that eases the constraints on the amount of data that a single server can manage.

Microsoft SQL Server provides a trusted, productive, and intelligent data platform that enables you to run your most demanding mission-critical applications, reduce time and cost of development and management of applications, and deliver actionable insight to your entire organisation.

The .NET Framework has two main components: the common language runtime and the .NET Framework class library. The common language runtime is the foundation of the .NET Framework. You can think of the runtime as an agent that manages code at execution time, providing core services such as memory management, thread management, and remoting, while also enforcing strict type safety and other forms of code accuracy that promote security and robustness. In fact, the concept of code management is a fundamental principle of the runtime. Code that targets the runtime is known as managed code, while code that does not target the runtime is known as unmanaged code. The class library, the other main component of the .NET Framework, is a comprehensive, object-oriented collection of reusable types that you can use to develop applications ranging from traditional command-line or graphical user interface (GUI) applications to applications based on the latest innovations provided by ASP.NET, such as Web Forms and XML Web services.

ISA Server 2006 is an integrated edge security gateway that helps protect IT environments from Internet-based threats while providing users fast and secure remote access to applications and data. ISA Server 2006 is available in two versions: standard edition and enterprise edition.

System Center Operations Manager uniquely enables customers to reduce the cost of data center management across server operating systems and hypervisors through a single, familiar and easy to use interface. Through numerous views that show state, health and performance information as well as alerts generated according to some availability, performance, configuration or security situation being identified, operators can gain rapid insight into the state of the IT environment, and the IT services running across different systems and workloads.

System Center Configuration comprehensively assesses, deploys, and updates servers, client computers, and devices-across physical, virtual, distributed, and mobile environments. Optimized for Windows, it is the best choice for gaining enhanced insight into and control over IT systems. With up to 70% of a system’s total cost being incurred in the form of maintenance, effectively managing a company's IT infrastructure is one of the best ways to help reduce the total cost of ownership (TCO).

Microsoft Office Communications Server (OCS) 2007 is the battle horse of Microsoft in the VoIP arena. It is an enterprise communications tool that provides a series of integrated tools for unified communications. Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007 focuses mainly on instant messaging, presence monitoring, application sharing, file transfer, and voice and video communication; aiming at enhancing collaboration with enterprises.

Microsoft BizTalk Server helps organisations meet the challenges of integrating diverse systems. Most organizations have a multitude of systems and technologies that are required for their daily operations. By bringing together these technologies in agile and scalable way, BizTalk can help unleash the potential of your existing infrastructure.

Microsoft Certified IT Professional Windows Server 2008
 

Microsoft Forefront delivers end-to-end security and access to information through an integrated line of protection, access and identity management products.

Security should be a means to a business end. Microsoft is working to deliver business ready security to help companies achieve their business goals while managing risk and helping ensure that the right people always have access to the information they need to get their jobs done.

Forefront Security products deliver protection, access, and management solutions, built around user identity and integrated with a highly secure, interoperable platform. Our solutions help to deliver a more contextual and user-centric security solution aligned to the needs of our customers.
 

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