What's in RC0 for Windows Server 2003 R2?

NETWORK WORLD NEWSLETTER: DAVE KEARNS ON WINDOWS NETWORKING TIPS
09/07/05
Today's focus: What's in RC0 for Windows Server 2003 R2?

Dear networking.world@gmail.com,

In this issue:

* Microsoft adds identity management features in RC0 for Windows
  Server 2003 R2
* Links related to Windows Networking Tips
* Featured reader resource
_______________________________________________________________
This newsletter is sponsored by Ciena
Network World Executive Guide: Application Drivers: Pedal to the
Metal

This Network World Executive Guide examines the move toward
tighter security, optimized performance and ubiquitous Web
services. Learn about new approaches to securing today's
applications. See what users are doing in their quest for top
performance. And, take a detailed look at present and future
implications of Web services and service-oriented architectures.
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_______________________________________________________________

Today's focus: What's in RC0 for Windows Server 2003 R2?

By Dave Kearns

When you go to download the release candidate (RC0) for Windows
Server 2003 Release 2 (R2), Microsoft tells you that this new
version of the server operating system will help you "extend
your connectivity and control to data and applications
throughout and beyond your organization" (see the quote at
<http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/r2/> ). What's that
mean?

What Microsoft is primarily talking about are the new identity
management features in R2. Most of the talk is about Active
Directory Federation Services (ADFS) but there are other ID
goodies in the new release. A short list includes:

* Active Directory Federation Services: ADFS provides Web-based
  extranet authentication/authorization, single sign-on (SSO), and
  federated identity services for Windows Server environments.
  Extranet authentication and SSO services extend the
  authentication and distributed session capabilities of Windows
  for internal networks to Internet-facing perimeter networks.
  Identity federation makes it possible for two organizations to
  share a user's Active Directory identity information securely
  over federation trusts, facilitating collaboration with partners
  and delegating user management.

* Active Directory Application Mode: ADAM, while not new, is
  being included with the operating system for the first time.
  It's an independent mode of Active Directory without
  infrastructure features, which can provide directory services
  for applications. Operating as a stand-alone data store or
  interacting with an Active Directory domain controller, ADAM
  enables administrators to tailor their directory services
  infrastructure to varying degrees of local control/autonomy or
  shared services. ADAM provides a data store and services for
  accessing that data store, uses standard APIs for accessing
  application data, and works with ADFS to provide a user store
  for extranet application authentication.

* Federated Windows SharePoint Services: This extends SharePoint
  collaboration to business partners and customers. Users will be
  able to access SharePoint sites offered by partners without
  presenting a separate password. SharePoint administrators, in
  turn, can offload credential management to their partners,
  saving administrative costs. Administrators gain the ability to
  automatically restrict access to partner SharePoint sites by
  disabling a user's Active Directory account, thereby reducing
  security threats.

* Unix Identity Management: Windows Server 2003 R2 provides
  Windows and Unix integration, which helps to establish
  uninterrupted user access and efficient management of network
  resources across operating systems. Two major features are
  offered: Server for NIS and password synchronization.

Server for NIS helps integrate Windows and Unix-based Network
Information Service servers by enabling an Active Directory
domain controller to act as a master NIS server for one or more
NIS domains. Password Synchronization helps integrate Windows
and Unix servers by simplifying the process of maintaining
secure passwords. With Password Synchronization, users do not
need to maintain separate passwords for their Windows and Unix
accounts or remember to change the password in multiple
locations. Password Synchronization automatically changes a user
password on both Unix and Windows networks whenever the user
changes his or her password.

Explore all of the new features in R2 for yourself: Download and
test the release candidate, read the documentation, and start
planning how the new functionality can help your network, your
users, your team - but especially how it can help you.

The top 5: Today's most-read stories

1. Microsoft warms up voice software plans
<http://www.networkworld.com/nlwnt6542>

2. Cisco Catalyst 4948-10GE aces performance tests
<http://www.networkworld.com/nlwnt6543>

3. Supermarket chain freezes Internet access
<http://www.networkworld.com/nlwnt6544>

4. 2005 salary survey <http://www.networkworld.com/nlwnt3873>

5. Katrina tests net service providers
<http://www.networkworld.com/nlwnt6545>

_______________________________________________________________
To contact: Dave Kearns

Dave Kearns is a writer and consultant in Silicon Valley. He's
written a number of books including the (sadly) now out of print
"Peter Norton's Complete Guide to Networks." His musings can be
found at Virtual Quill <http://www.vquill.com/>.

Kearns is the author of three Network World Newsletters: Windows
Networking Tips, Novell NetWare Tips, and Identity Management.
Comments about these newsletters should be sent to him at these

respective addresses: <mailto:windows@vquill.com>,
<mailto:netware@vquill.com>, <mailto:identity@vquill.com>.

Kearns provides content services to network vendors: books,
manuals, white papers, lectures and seminars, marketing,
technical marketing and support documents. Virtual Quill
provides "words to sell by..." Find out more by e-mail at
<mailto:info@vquill.com>
_______________________________________________________________
This newsletter is sponsored by Ciena
Network World Executive Guide: Application Drivers: Pedal to the
Metal

This Network World Executive Guide examines the move toward
tighter security, optimized performance and ubiquitous Web
services. Learn about new approaches to securing today's
applications. See what users are doing in their quest for top
performance. And, take a detailed look at present and future
implications of Web services and service-oriented architectures.
http://www.fattail.com/redir/redirect.asp?CID=112812
_______________________________________________________________
ARCHIVE LINKS

Breaking Windows networking news from Network World, updated
daily: http://www.networkworld.com/topics/windows.html

Operating Systems Research Center:
http://www.networkworld.com/topics/operating-systems.html

Archive of the Windows Networking Tips newsletter:
http://www.networkworld.com/newsletters/nt/index.html
_______________________________________________________________
FEATURED READER RESOURCE
GARTNER'S SECURITY HYPE-O-METER

What is hype and has it influenced your network security
efforts? At a recent Gartner security summit, analysts described
what they say are "The Five Most Overhyped Security Threats,"
risks that have been overblown and shouldn't be scaring everyone
as much as they seem to be. For more, click here:
<http://www.networkworld.com/weblogs/security/009180.html>
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