Windows Server 2003 Technology Primer - Windows Server 2003 Running Add-in Applications Server Functions
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In addition to the built-in server application functions such as DNS, DHCP, Global Catalog, Terminal Services, and the like noted in the preceding section, Windows Server 2003 also provides the basis from which add-in applications can be purchased and implemented on the Windows servers. Some of these add-in applications come from Microsoft, such as the Windows Server 2003 versions of the Microsoft Exchange messaging system or Microsoft SQL database system. Other add-ins to Windows Server 2003 are furnished by companies that provide human resource management applications; accounting software; document management tools; fax or voicemail add-ins; or other business, industry, or user productivity capabilities.
In earlier Windows server operating systems, the core operating system provided simple logon and network connectivity functions; however, with Windows Server 2003, the operating system includes many core capabilities built into the Windows Server 2003 operating environment. With integrated fault tolerance, data recovery, server security, remote access connectivity, Web access technologies, and similar capabilities, organizations creating add-ins to Windows Server 2003 can focus on business functions and capabilities, not on core infrastructure reliability, security, and mobile access functionality. This offloading of the requirement of third-party add-in organizations to implement basic networking technologies into their applications allows these developers to focus on improving the business productivity and functionality of their applications. Additionally, consolidating information routing, security, remote management, and the like into the core operating system provides a common method of communication, authentication, and access to users without having to load up special drivers, add-ins, or tools to support each and every new application.
Much of the shift from application-focused infrastructure components to core operating system-focused functionality was built into Windows 2000. There were many challenges when Windows 2000 was first released because of this shift in product functionality; however, after being on the market for more than three years, Windows 2000 add-ins and now Windows Server 2003 add-ins have had several revisions to work through system functionality and component reliability between application and operating system. Fortunately, Windows Server 2003 uses the same application/operating system technology used in Windows 2000, so applications written for Windows 2000 typically need just a simple Service Pack update to be able to run on Windows Server 2003.
When Is the Right Time to Migrate?
When Windows Server 2003 first shipped during the Spring of 2003, many organizations wondered about the right time to migrate to the new operating system. It used to be that you waited until the first Service Pack shipped before installing any Microsoft product; however, Windows 2003 surprised a lot of organizations by being extremely reliable and actually more dependable than patched versions of Windows NT4 and Windows 2000. So, the end result decision came down to the same decision on migration to any new technology—identify the value of migrating versus the cost and effort to migrate.
This introductory chapter notes the many features and functions built into Windows Server 2003 that have helped other organizations make the decision that Windows Server 2003 has significant value to plan a migration. Improvements in security, performance, and manageability provide benefits to organizations looking to minimize administration costs, while providing more functionality to users.
The cost and effort to migrate to Windows Server 2003 vary based on the current state of an organization's networking environment as well as the Windows Server 2003 features and functions the organization wants to implement. Some organizations begin their migration process to Windows Server 2003 by adding a Windows Server 2003 into an existing Windows NT4 or Windows 2000 network, migrating from Windows 2000 to Windows Server 2003, and migrating from Windows NT4 to Windows Server 2003.
Adding a Windows Server 2003 to an NT4 or Windows 2000 Environment
Many organizations want to add in a specific Windows Server 2003 function such as Windows Server 2003 Terminal Services, Windows Server 2003 Remote Access Services, Windows Server 2003 Media Services, or the like. Such functions can be added on Windows Server 2003 member servers in existing Windows NT4 or Windows 2000 networking environments. This allows an organization to get Windows Server 2003 application capabilities fairly quickly and easily without having to do a full migration to Windows Server 2003. In many cases, a Windows Server 2003 member server can simply be added to an existing network without ever affecting the existing network. This addition provides extremely low network impact but enables an organization to prototype and test the new technology, pilot it for a handful of users, and slowly roll out the technology to the client base as part of a regular system replacement or upgrade process.
Some organizations have replaced all their member servers to Windows Server 2003 systems over a period of weeks or months as a preparatory step to eventually migrate to a Windows Server 2003 Active Directory structure.
 This chapter is from Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Unleashed, by Rand Morimoto, et al. (Sams Publishing, 2004, ISBN: 0672326671). Check it out at your favorite bookstore today.
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