Windows 2003 R2 - what's the big deal with this feature

[geranimo666]

All-

I have 2 Windows 2003 servers (both DCs) in my AD environment. Everything seems to be running efficiently so why would need to upgrade to R2.. overall what added functionality enhancments does this buy me/my organization.

Would it be better to run R2 on my Exchange 2003 servers?

Thanks for any info..

geranimo

 

[Davetoo]

Google is your friend:

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/windowsserver/bb428898.aspx

I'm of the opinion if it ain't broke, don't fix it, even with OS's. If you're sitting fine with what you have, run with it. If you in the future add a box, I'd definately go with the current OS, but you can mix and match without issues (so far...2008 may be a different beast).

I'm Certifiable, not cert-ified.
It just means my answers are from experience, not a book.

 

[Davetoo]

One thing I will note with R2...it's DFS is supposed to be killer. If you use DFS, it may be worth the price of admission.

I'm Certifiable, not cert-ified.
It just means my answers are from experience, not a book.

 

[58sniper]

Printer management rules in R2.

Pat Richard
Microsoft Exchange MVP

 

[BuffaloTom]

Windows R2 offers File Resource Manager which offers both folder level and shared folder quota management. Also, it enables file restiction by extension type.

As a previous poster submitted, print services are improved in R2. You can set up printers and deploy using group policy.

 

[porkchopexpress]

The File Server Resource Manager is a killer feature for us you can generate all sorts of reports to find e.g what type of files are using most space or if there are loads of duplicates of the same file. You can also set quotas on shared folders not just on volumes like the previous disk quote tools.

Also the file screen is very handy you can use it in active mode to prevent users from saving certain files to their work space e.g exes or mp3s, or you can run it in passive mode which just grasses them up for having them

I found it to be a usefull upgrade.

 

[geranimo666]

Thanks to all on this forum. Have a safe and Happy New Year!
geranimo