How to change Windows edition without reinstalling Windows? Installing a DHCP server.

Hello, tell me, is it possible to change the edition of Windows without reinstalling? For example, from the home version to p professional?

The short answer is that you can, but this is not a documented feature and not all functions may work, and it is also a violation of the license if you have not purchased an upgraded edition.

By introducing various editions of the Windows operating system to the market, the manufacturer implies that the user will choose the edition that best suits his needs and financial capabilities. However, in life everything is different: ready-made PCs usually come with a pre-installed system of the simplest (and cheapest) edition, and unlicensed users, without bothering too much, install one of the older editions. All this often leads to the fact that the Windows edition needs to be changed, preferably without reinstalling the system.

The main problem is that the user is faced with the need to change the Windows edition when the system is already “lived in”: the necessary software and equipment are installed and configured, data is laid out in the usual way, etc., etc.

There are two scenarios for changing the edition. One of them can be conditionally called “official”. Microsoft supports the transition from minor to senior editions quite officially. It is enough to purchase a special key or box.

It’s worse when the editorial team needs to be demoted. This usually happens when licensing pirated versions, when boxes or licenses of the required edition are purchased, which does not coincide with what is actually on computers. Officially, Microsoft does not support such changes and recommends installing the system from scratch, but there is one undocumented possibility that we will consider.

Everyone knows that if you run the Windows installer on a loaded OS, then one of the available options will be to update the system while preserving all installed applications and settings.

However, such an update is only possible if the editor installed system matches the edition of the distribution, otherwise we will only be offered a new installation:

There are no official ways to get around this limitation, so it's time to turn to undocumented possibilities. We find it difficult to imagine why Microsoft does not support arbitrary changes to the Windows edition by entering the appropriate key and/or updating using the distribution kit of the desired edition, especially since there are no technical obstacles here.

Empirically, it was found that the installer receives information about the system edition from the registry branch:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion

as a parameter value EditionID. To successfully update with a change of edition, we need to change this parameter so that it matches the edition of the target distribution.

Some sources also recommend changing the parameter ProductName, however, this is completely unnecessary. After change EditionID You should perform the update immediately without rebooting the system. This method is suitable for all current Windows client systems and below we will consider compliance EditionID editions of the operating system.

Windows 7

This version Windows has the largest official number of editions, but the naming system is simple and clear, making it easy to identify the one you need. For Windows 7 the following values ​​are valid EditionID depending on edition:

• Starter- The initial, most limited edition, was distributed only in the OEM channel, most often with netbooks
• HomeBasic- Home Basic
• HomePremium- Home extended
• Professional- Professional
• Ultimate- Maximum
• Enterprise- Corporate, distributed only under the volume licensing program

All editions, except for the Starter and Corporate editions, were available both at retail and through OEM channels, differing in nothing except the type of license, but you will not be able to update from the OEM distribution using the key from the boxed version and vice versa.

Windows 8.1

At first glance, there are fewer editions of Windows 8, just Basic, Professional and Enterprise. But in fact, Microsoft managed to segment them in such a way that, in fact, the editions of Windows 8.1 and acceptable values EditionID it turned out to be even more:

• Core- Basic
• CoreSingleLanguage- Basic for one language, OEM only
• ConnectedCore- Basic with Bing, free for major OEMs
• CoreConnectedSingleLanguage- Basic with Bing for one language, for manufacturers only
• Professional- Professional
• ProfessionalWMC- Professional with Windows Media Center
• Enterprise

As we can see, there are four Basic editions alone, although you can purchase only two of them at retail or as an OEM supply: Basic and Basic for one language. The versions with Bing are only available to manufacturers, and you can only get it with hardware. However, you may need to revert to this version if you uninstalled the pre-installed version and now want to return the license. In this case, you will need to find an installation distribution, which is quite difficult (they are not and never were publicly available).

Windows 10

The situation with Windows 10 tends to completely repeat the history of Windows 8.1; three editions are also officially announced: Home, Professional and Enterprise. In reality, there are more editions; Home is already available for one language and, perhaps, other options will appear.

At the moment we can talk about four editions, however this list does not claim to be complete and will be updated as information becomes available.

• Core- Home
• CoreSingleLanguage- Home for one language, OEM only
• Professional- Professional
• Enterprise- Enterprise, only in the volume licensing channel

To ensure that the above data is updated and updated in a timely manner, we ask our readers, especially those who purchased devices with pre-installed Windows 10 or updated pre-installed versions of Windows 8.1, to check the meaning of the keys EditionID And ProductName.

Introduction and some facts While the entire global IT community awaits the release of the long-awaited Windows 2003 operating system, we will lift the curtain on what exactly this product is, what delivery options it has, and what components it contains. There is nothing special to invent here, so I compiled this material based on information received from Microsoft itself (press release from the Russian representative office), as well as thanks to the work of Paul Tarrott, the leading site Winsupersite.com, who systematized in a table some of the possibilities of various delivery options for the Windows system Server 2003. So, let's get started...

On March 28, 2003, Microsoft announced the start of replication of Windows Server. Microsoft Windows Server 2003 is an integrated server platform that allows customers to increase the efficiency of their IT infrastructure by 30 percent. The new OS successfully passed a serious test using a new testing program, which included a thorough line-by-line audit of the system code. This OS has a number of functions that provide increased reliability and security of the product. The new server platform is already widely supported by partners: by the time Windows Server 2003 is officially released, scheduled for April 24, 2003, more than 70,000 Microsoft partners will be ready to promote, implement and maintain this system. More than 550,000 customers - the largest number in the history of Microsoft server operating systems - took part in the system's preliminary testing program.

"Our challenge was to create a system that would provide unparalleled quality and performance, a system that would perfectly meet the needs of any size company," said Bill Veghte, division vice president. "Preview participants confirm that Windows Server 2003 meets their expectations by delivering lower total cost of ownership, superior performance and reliability. The quality of the Windows Server 2003 server operating system is largely due to the contributions made by our partners and customers."

30% increase in IT infrastructure efficiency

Windows Server 2003 offers improved scalability, reliability, security, and manageability. These qualities, combined with a number of innovative technical solutions used to create this OS, allow customers to significantly reduce costs and increase productivity. Below are some of the results that have been achieved for customers who are already using this system.

Consolidation: the total number of servers can be reduced by 20-30%.

Performance: Up to 2x faster performance under any workload.

Maintenance: 20% reduction in overall maintenance costs.

Productivity: 35% of customers were able to free up IT staff to work on more important projects.

Implementation: Implementation costs are 35% lower than Windows NT Server 4.0.

Windows NT Server 4.0 users will especially benefit from migrating to Windows Server 2003, with up to 100 times more scalability and 10 times lower transaction costs than Windows NT Server 4.0. In addition, these users will benefit from a 40% increase in stability through the use of a robust driver model, as well as system recovery features designed to ensure maximum system performance.

"We are building a reliable, automated system that is secure, stable and manageable," said Ron Brahm, Global Infrastructure program manager for GE Medical Systems. "By moving to Windows Server 2003, we will be able to centrally manage our system and give ourselves greater flexibility."

High performance on any task

The high performance and scalability of Windows Server 2003 allows you to use this system to solve any server tasks: it can be used to support the operation of a database server, application server, Web server, file server, print server, directory service or terminal service. Recent benchmark results, including the widely acclaimed Transaction Processing Performance Council (TPC) TPC-C, TPC-H, and TPC-W tests, have demonstrated that the combination of Windows Server 2003 and SQL Server 2000 outperforms all competitors.

The 64-bit version of Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Enterprise Edition, also announced on March 28, 2003, provides even greater scalability and performance. The 64-bit version of SQL Server 2000 was designed to support memory-intensive, high-performance applications running on 64-bit Windows Server 2003. This version provides particularly high performance on 64-processor systems based on Intel Itanium 2 processors.

The highest quality Windows server OS

As part of the program for creating secure information Microsoft systems spent nearly $200 million training its 13,000 employees in new security-focused development technologies, implementing new workflows, and conducting a full line-by-line analysis of Windows Server 2003 from a security perspective. Thus, a highly secure system was created.

“Having personally been involved in the development of every version of Windows Server, I can say that it is the most secure, reliable and performant server OS we have ever created,” said Dave Thompson, vice president of the Windows Server Products group. "Microsoft Corporation. "The reliability and performance of Windows Server 2003 was tested through an unprecedentedly extensive pre-production testing program. It was a long but productive process, and I am very proud of all the people involved in creating this great product."

Throughout the development process, Microsoft continually relied on a large number of independent testers and companies participating in the pre-production testing program. User communities created within the framework of the Joint Development Program, Customer Preview Program and Rapid Adoption Program were also involved in organizing a fruitful dialogue between developers and customers. In addition, Microsoft pioneered the use of the innovative Enterprise Engineering Center (EEC) program, which provides hands-on testing across heterogeneous customer systems.

Windows Media 9, included with Windows Server 2003, is now used to support a number of large Web sites and subscription services. Pre-release versions of this server platform have already delivered more than 300 terabytes of news, sports information, music and video to users.

Sending master copies for replication Windows code Server 2003 marks the end of a three-year development cycle that involved more than 5,000 people and produced more than 650 innovative technology solutions.

Official presentation of Windows Server 2003

Microsoft plans to make an official announcement about the release of Windows Server 2003, Visual Studio.NET 2003 and SQL Server 2000 Enterprise Edition (64-bit) on April 24, 2003 at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium in San Francisco. Visual Studio .NET 2003, combined with Windows Server 2003, provides a robust platform for quickly building trouble-free, scalable networking solutions.

Delivery options and approximate prices

The Windows Server family includes the following systems:

Windows Server 2003 Datacenter Edition;

Windows Server 2003 Datacenter Edition for 64-bit Itanium 2-based systems;

Windows Server 2003 Enterprise Edition;

Windows Server 2003 Enterprise Edition for 64-bit Itanium 2-based systems;

Windows Server 2003 Standard Edition;

Windows Server 2003 Web Edition;

Windows Small Business Server 2003 (planned for release in the third quarter of 2003).

Comparison of different Windows Server 2003 options

Component or Feature	Web	Standard	Enterprise	Datacenter	Enterprise 64bit	Datacenter 64 bit
Compatible with 32-bit Intel x86 systems	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Compatible with 64-bit Itanium systems					Yes	Yes
Maximum number of CPUs	2	4	8	32	8	64
Maximum amount of RAM	2 GB	4 GB	32 GB	64 GB	64 GB	512 GB
Hot add memory support			Yes	Yes
NUMA (Non-Uniform Memory Access) support			Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Distributed File System (DFS)	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Encrypting File System (EFS)	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Shadow Copy Restore (Win 2000 or Win XP client required)	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Support for replacement and remote storages data		Replaceable only	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Fax services		Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Services for Macintosh		Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
IntelliMirror Technologies	Partially	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Group Policy Results	Partially	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) Command Line	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Support for remote installation from an image	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Remote Installation Services (RIS)		Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Windows System Resource Manager (WSRM)		Yes	Yes		Yes
Can act as an Active Directory member server	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Can act as Active Directory domain controller (DC)		Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Metadirectory Services (MMS) support			Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Internet Connection Firewall (ICF)	Yes	Yes	Yes		Yes
Public Key Infrastructure (PKI), Certificate Services, Smart Card support	Partially	Partially	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Includes Terminal Server		Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Includes Terminal Server Session Directory			Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Administration via Remote Desktop	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Virtual Private Networking (VPN) support	Partially	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Maximum number of VPN clients	1	1000	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited
Internet Authentication Service (IAS)		Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Network bridging support		Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Internet Connection Sharing (ICS)		Yes	Yes		Yes
IPv6 support	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Network Load Balancing (NLB)	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Cluster Service			Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Maximum number of cluster nodes			8	8	8	8
Includes .NET Framework	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Internet Information Services (IIS) 6.0	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Default IIS installation	Yes
Includes ASP.NET	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Enterprise UDDI Services		Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Includes Windows Media Services 9 Series		Yes	Yes	Yes

And now - approximate prices for various system options:

Windows Server 2003 Pricing

Connectors Price in US$Description
Windows Server 2003, External Connector License $1.999 ** Optional additional server license for external users of Windows Server 2003
Windows Server 2003, Terminal Server External Connector License $7.999 ** Optional additional server license for external users of Windows Server 2003 Terminal Server

* - Windows Server 2003, Web Edition: the system will not be available in mass quantities, to purchase this version you will need to contact your local System Builder, OEM supplier or reseller to find out the details of the purchase.

** - Available only under the Volume Licensing program. For details, contact your local Microsoft product reseller.

Prospects for 64-bit platforms

Windows XP 64-bit Edition Version 2003 desktop operating system provides support for workstations based on the Intel Itanium 2 processor.

Microsoft also announced on March 28, 2003 the launch of the 64-bit Microsoft Windows XP 64-Bit Edition Version 2003 operating system. This OS is optimized to work with Intel Itanium 2 processors and allows customers to take full advantage of these high-performance chips.

Windows XP 64-Bit Edition Version 2003 is a high-performance desktop platform that supports a new generation of powerful Windows applications designed for use with Itanium 2 processors. The new OS is aimed at users who perform complex scientific calculations, work with high-performance design and engineering applications, creating 3D animation and video.

"We are committed to expanding support for 64-bit desktop systems," said Brian Valentine, senior vice president of Windows Products at Microsoft. "Windows XP 64-Bit Edition Version 2003 will allow customers to use one and the same platform to work with both complex technical applications, and with a wide range of office software for Windows."

Windows 64-bit architecture allows developers to build 64-bit applications using well-established Windows programming techniques, reducing the time it takes to develop applications that take advantage of the 64-bit platform. Collaboration between Microsoft and Intel in the field of 64-bit systems began in 1996. In 2001, Microsoft released Windows XP 64-bit Edition, a 64-bit desktop OS with support for first-generation Itanium processors.

The new OS was released alongside a number of products in the Windows Server 2003 family, including Windows Server 2003 Datacenter Edition and Windows Server 2003 Enterprise Edition for 64-bit Itanium 2-based systems. Microsoft plans to make an official announcement about these products on April 24 at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium in San Francisco. Developers can obtain Windows XP 64-Bit Edition Version 2003 now through MSDN. Users will be able to purchase the new OS through PC manufacturers starting in the second quarter of this year.

Conclusion

Here is a brief presentation of the system from those who developed and tested it. I think the final opinion about the system will be formed later, but I would still like to point out one fact: the long process of creating Windows Server 2003 is determined primarily by its careful “running in”, catching and correcting found errors, inconsistencies and “loopholes” in the security system . I personally used the actually working current (at that time) beta version of the Windows Server 2003 platform back in November 2001! So you can imagine how much time the product was tested and perfected...

Installation of the Windows Server 2003 operating system.

System requirements for 32-bit processors:

· Standard Edition– CPU 133/550 MHz, RAM 128/256 MB (4 GB max), HDD 1.25-2 GB, CD/DVD-ROM, Display VGA/SVGA.

· Enterprise Edition– CPU 133/550 MHz, RAM 128/256 MB (32 GB max), HDD 1.5 GB, CD/DVD-ROM, Display VGA/SVGA.

· Datacenter Edition– CPU 400/733 MHz, RAM 512/1024 MB, HDD 1.5 GB, minimum 8 processors.

· Web Edition– CPU 133/550 MHz, RAM 128/256 MB (2 GB max), HDD 1.5 GB.

File system type – NTFS.

During OS installation you must:

1 Enter credentials - user name, organization name, computer name, administrator password.

2 Select license type

3 per server – a license for a certain number of clients that the server can serve simultaneously;

4 per user – separate license for each client.

5 Configure network protocol parameters – by default, the TCP/IP protocol is installed with dynamic receipt of settings (via the DHCP protocol).

Role is a server function. One server can play multiple roles.

The Windows Server 2003 family of operating systems includes several server roles. You can configure server roles by installing a server role using the Configure Server Wizard program and managing server roles using the Manage This Server program.

When you add a new role, the Server Configuration Wizard enables the necessary services and makes the necessary security changes. After adding a role, the wizard creates links to access tools and settings for each role.

@ You can also add and remove services the old way - through the Add/Remove Windows Components program and the Services snap-in.

Server roles:

· File server – optimizes the server to support shared folders and file storage. Adds features:

o disk quotas– possibility of control and restrictions disk space, available to individual users;

o indexing service– quick search by file contents;

o shadow copy ( shadow copy) – a byte-by-byte backup of earlier versions of documents, allowing users to undo changes made to documents stored on the server;

o distributed file system DFS– allows you to create a single logical named space for multiple shared folders located on different servers. Servers can serve multiple DFS roots.

o volume shadow copy service– creates a copy of the original shared data at a given point in time. Backup programs can use this copy to make the shared folder static while current documents change. In addition, you can move shadow copies to other servers for backup storage, testing and data analysis

· Print server – provides access to and manages printers. Allows you to remotely control printers, easy to install network printers, connect and print via the Internet using a URL.

· Applications server – Provides infrastructure for XML web services, web applications, and distributed applications, as well as services for development, deployment, and run-time management. Installs IIS (Internet Information Services), ASP.NET, COM+, FrontPage server extensions.

· Mail server – provides services to users Email via POP3 and SMTP protocols.

· Terminal Server – provides multiple users with the ability to run programs, save files, and use network resources from a remote computer as if those resources were installed on their computer. Requires additional licensing.

· Server remote access and VPN server – Routing and Remote Access provides full-featured software router, remote and virtual private network (VPN) connections for remote computers. Remote access connections include everything normally available to users local network services, including file and printer sharing services, web server access, and messaging services.

· Domain controller – Stores directory data and manages interactions between users and the domain, such as the domain login process, authentication, and directory lookups.

· DNS server – Allows client computers to use the TCP/IP name resolution service used on the Internet.

· DHCP server - Provides centralized management of IP addresses and other related network protocol settings on client computers.

· Media Streaming Server - allows you to use Windows Media Services, manage streaming audio and video data, archive them and deliver them over an intranet or the Internet.

· WINS server - maps IP addresses to NetBIOS computer names, and NetBIOS computer names back to IP addresses. Allows you to reduce NetBIOS broadcast traffic in subnets and support clients using early versions Windows and NetBIOS.

Print servers are used to provide and manage access to printers. The print server role allows you to manage printers through a web browser, print to a printer URL using IPP, and connect printers using Point and Print. Microsoft has made a number of print service extensions in WS2K3:

Support for print clusters - automatic replication of printer drivers across all servers in the cluster.

Active Directory Extensions - Administrators can publish printers to AD so users can search for printers based on location, color, and speed.

Security Improvements - New group policies have been enabled that allow the administrator to prevent clients from accessing the spooler if the server is not serving printing.

Application Server

When you configure a server as an application server, you install Internet Information Services (IIS) 6.0 and a number of components, such as COM+ and ASP.NET. Microsoft has optimized IIS 6.0 for stability, manageability, fast application development, and security.

The WS2K3 Application Server role provides support for new web services and the .NET platform, including Universal Description, Discovery and Integration (UDDI) services, as well as Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP) and Web Services Description Language (WSDL). Application servers are often configured to include the following:

Resource pooling

Distributed Transaction Management

Built-in protection

fault tolerance

WS2K3 now includes POP3 and SMTP servers. This allows you to serve your users' basic mailboxes and allows you to receive and send mail from the server. Mail servers provide receiving and sending mail. Incoming mail can be stored on the server and then retrieved by the user using the POP3 protocol. For the role mail server you must have:

Active internet connection

Registered domain name

ISP MX record for your email domain

After installing the terminal server role, you can allow users to connect to the server and run applications on it as if those applications were installed on the client workstation. We'll look at installation, configuration, and new features of the terminal server later. Unlike Win2K, which automatically allows user access after installing Terminal Services, WS2K3 limits access to administrators only. You must add users or user groups to the Remote Desktop Users group.

Remote Access/VPN Server

Remote access servers and VPNs provide an entry point into your network for remote users. Using the Remote Access/VPN Server role, you can implement routing protocols for LAN and WAN environments. This role supports modem connections and VPN over the Internet.

Domain Controller

The domain controller contains the Active Directory database. Domain controllers provide authentication services for users and computers and control access to network resources. The Domain Controller role replaces the DCPROMO tool that was in Win2K. This role allows you to add a domain controller to an existing domain, create a new domain, or create a new tree.

The DNS service allows you to resolve domain names (FQDN) to IP addresses. The WS2K3 version of DNS includes Dynamic DNS Service (DDNS), which allows computers to register themselves with the DNS database. The WS2K3 version of DNS also allows DNS to be integrated with WINS.

The DHCP server allows clients to obtain their IP as needed. The DHCP server also provides additional information for network configuration - the address of DNS, WINS servers, etc.

Streaming Media Server

The streaming server provides Windows Media Services to network clients. Windows Media Services are used to manage and deliver multimedia content - streaming video and audio - over an intranet or the Internet.

WINS allows NetBIOS clients to resolve computer names to IP addresses. Unlike DNS, which requires domain names, WINS is designed for internal intranets to resolve simple NetBIOS names.

Although it is possible to have a Windows network without NetBIOS and WINS, many utilities still depend on the WINS database. Many record types found in WINS are not found in DNS. These types make it easy to find servers on the network running specific services (including Terminal Services). Such a utility is Terminal Server Administration. Without WINS, you will have to manually specify the server to manage.

Today, alternatives to Windows for enterprise servers continue to gain market share, with Linux leading the way. However, the fact is that many users still stick to Windows for network applications, as a familiar (and often not very loved) companion.

In fact, many users have already connected two or more Windows computers to a network. This happens, say, when you need to provide public Internet access through a DSL router. Therefore, many users are already familiar with simple tasks such as sharing a directory, printer, or Internet connection.

However, the colorful Windows shell is not always as easy to configure as it might seem at first. Once you move from simply using a feature to offering it over the web, there are a lot of pitfalls that you just need to be aware of. Today, the most powerful server tool in the Microsoft world is Windows Server 2003, which comes in three flavors (Web, Standard and Enterprise).

We purchased a disk with a standard version of Windows Server 2003 and prepared to do all the basic work of deploying the network. Throughout this article, we'll focus on implementing Active Directory because this directory service is essential for many high-level server applications, including the Exchange 2003 email server.

What to make the server on? Server hardware

A server does not always have to have two Xeon processors with expensive ECC memory and 64-bit PCI-X slots, as shown in the illustration. For a home or small office, a Pentium 4 or Athlon server with sufficient memory and a RAID array to protect against hard drive failure is sufficient.

In principle, any computer can operate as a Windows server provided that it meets the minimum requirements. At the same time, the tasks performed impose their own specific requirements. For example, database or mail servers are very sensitive to RAM, so the server must be equipped with a considerable amount of it. For a file server, performance and hard disk space are important.

If some users do not spare money and can afford machines with four Itanium, Opteron or Xeon processors due to the requirements of some specific applications, then systems with one and two processors are most common in the server market. Today, AMD Opteron processors are gradually gaining popularity, although the most common choice for small servers is Intel Xeon.

Xeon and Pentium 4 processors have a lot in common, so for a single-processor server, we recommend the Pentium 4 with Hyper-Threading Technology because it delivers high performance and is supported by many proven platforms. AMD doesn't look so good here, as this chip is designed primarily for multimedia tasks. If in doubt, we recommend getting the lower-end Opteron model, as it performs on par with, and sometimes even better than, relatively expensive Intel processors, while also providing support for 64-bit computing.

Depending on the importance of the continuous operation of the server, we recommend taking a block uninterruptible power supply UPS, additional power supply for redundancy, and also equip the server with a RAID array.

In addition, the server's network interfaces should be mentioned. If the computer will operate within a local network, then for most cases one network controller will be sufficient. In any case, today we recommend taking a gigabit controller, which, by the way, is already integrated into many motherboards. If the server will also provide Internet access, then you will need a second network controller.

Installing Windows 2003 Server: Preparations

Any administrator who frequently installs Windows (and the second time is not so fun) should have a CD with the latest integrated Service Pack on hand. Instructions for integration can be found, for example, in the file winhelpline.info.

In principle, the installation CD can be supplemented with the latest drivers and modified so that the system installs itself, with virtually no user intervention. However, this approach makes sense only in certain conditions, because drivers change quickly, and new Windows updates appear too often. Therefore, the game is not worth the candle.

At the same time, the Service Pack can be integrated into the Windows distribution in a matter of minutes. SP rarely comes out, so we strongly recommend doing this operation.

Let's Get Started: Windows Server 2003 Options

Of course, creating multiple partitions does not provide protection against hardware failures, and this approach somewhat limits the system's flexibility when free space runs out. At the same time, it is better to separate data storages, both from the point of view of software problems and security. Therefore, we recommend creating the following sections:

• systemic;
• for the swap file (swap);
• user data;

Windows itself, along with all the necessary services, takes up less than 2 GB. That's why system partition 10 GB will be more than enough. Of course, for reliability, you can make it larger, especially if you will place the swap file on the system partition.

If this is not the case, then it is better to create a partition for the swap file first (2-4 GB is usually enough), since hard drives always write data starting from the outer tracks to the inner ones, so they slow down in this direction as the linear speed of the disk decreases .

The size of the partition for user data depends on many factors: how many users will store their data on the server, and what type of data it is.

Basic Windows 2003 settings

The first thing we did was return Windows to its usual appearance by selecting the classic menu. In our experience, most users prefer to work with the old menu. To do this, you need to right-click on the taskbar. Then select “Properties” and go to the Start Menu tab, where the desired option is present.

Then you need to customize the menu (by pressing the "Customize" key) to automatically open network connections and control panel options. We will skip personal menu settings, since they would be more of a disadvantage on the server.

To simplify server management, it is better to consolidate temporary files into one folder. Right-click on the "My Computer" icon, select "Properties", then go to the Advanced tab, click on the "Environment Variables" button - and now as a directory for temporary files (under the TMP and TEMP variables) you You can enter any one you wish. Now all temporary files will accumulate in it, which can be deleted as necessary.

It is best to set the paging file to a fixed size because it may become fragmented if the size changes. On the same Advanced tab, select the “Performance”, “Settings” button.

The delay when opening a submenu can get on your nerves. To get rid of it, we need a registry editor. Run the regedit.exe command. Then find the desired branch and parameter and enter the correct value as in the screenshot (see above).

In server-based systems, we have to manually manage everything that happens and when it happens. Automatic Windows Update runs counter to this philosophy, as Microsoft patches sometimes have a negative effect. Therefore, it is better to confirm automatic updates manually.

For server systems, visual effects are unlikely to be considered useful, so they should be disabled. Right-click on the desktop, then select Properties, Appearance and Effects. Turn off everything you can live without.

There, in the Settings tab and the Advanced item, you should change the resolution and refresh rate. In this case, we must take into account which monitor is connected to the server. Very old monitors do not support refresh rates above 60 Hz.

Setting up Internet Explorer

Security holes in Internet Explorer regularly bring surprises. For servers, it is better to apply the following rule: launch the browser only when necessary. Never go online without firewall and antivirus protection.

Let's start by changing the Internet Explorer temporary directory (Tools, Internet Options, Setting for Temporary Internet files). Because the subdirectory for Internet Explorer files is created automatically, the browser has no way to access temporary system files. We usually limit the maximum size of this directory. By default, Internet Explorer caches so many files that it's like there's no tomorrow. However, for our needs, a few megabytes will be enough.

Internet Explorer security settings should be set to high.

...or maybe another browser: Mozilla Firefox 0.9

Firefox is emerging as a good alternative to Internet Explorer because it is small, fast and powerful without many security holes. In addition, it is safer for the reason that it is used much less frequently than Internet Explorer. Consequently, hackers are less interested in it.

The multi-function input bar in Firefox is really useful. You can download plugins that allow you to search directly on eBay, Amazon or Google. The choice is huge.

Windows 2003 Network Interface Configuration

Server systems often use multiple network cards, so it is better to change the standard interface names assigned by Windows to more understandable ones. In our example, only the network controller built into the board is available.

In properties network adapter(Properties), which are displayed when you right-click the mouse, you can make all the necessary settings. Windows likes to install the QoS (quality of service) service, but on small networks it is hardly useful. By the way, don’t forget to check the box at the bottom of the dialog so that the connection icons are always visible on the taskbar.

Among other things, you can get all the necessary configuration information network interface.

Since we are installing a server, it must be reachable with the correct IP address. On a local network this is not so important, since you can always reach a computer by its name. But, as soon as it comes to providing services on the Internet (VPN, terminal services, FTP...), there must be a real IP address for the router.

We specified the IP address of our DSL router as the default gateway, since the server must have access to the Internet. We also specified the router as the DNS server.

Active Directory Deployment

The Active Directory (AD) directory service in Windows 2000 Server and Windows Server 2003 contains information about all the resources needed to run a network. It includes connections, applications, databases, printers, users, and groups. Microsoft is very specific that Active Directory provides a standard way to specify, describe, manage, and access resources.

Active Directory is not installed by default because it is not required for simple server tasks. But as the server begins to handle more and more tasks, AD becomes more and more important. Additional components, such as Microsoft's Exchange Server, for example, require a fully functional Active Directory.

The dcpromo command allows you to turn a regular server into an Active Directory controller. The process takes about ten minutes, and we will briefly describe it here.

We assume that there are no other servers on your network and therefore we need a controller for the new Active Directory infrastructure.

After this, we must determine whether the new AD domain will be integrated into the existing system.

Active Directory uses its own database to work with information most efficiently. Because your environment can quickly grow and the server can receive additional tasks, it is best to place databases and log files on a separate hard drive to maximize system performance.

The SYSVOL folder is another feature of Active Directory because its contents are duplicated by all Active Directory controllers in the domain. It contains login scripts, group policies, and other options that must be available on all servers. Of course, the location of this folder can be changed.

This option will only be important if you have Windows NT computers with a domain structure.

During installation, the AD wizard will complain that the DNS servers are not running. Therefore, it is necessary to install it too.

Setting up a DNS server

The DNS (Domain Name Service) system is the Achilles heel of the Active Directory structure. Since network communications are carried out by name for accessibility purposes (say, www.thg.ru), there must be a system for converting names to IP addresses - and vice versa. Forward requests convert the name to an IP address, and reverse requests convert the IP address to a name.

Installing a DNS server is quick (illustration above), although it usually doesn’t work right away.

This is how a reverse request works. Source: Microsoft

It's quite important to add a Reverse Lookup Zone. The DNS server will then be able to provide names based on IP addresses.

For our needs, we will need a primary zone, since we want to fully serve the local network with this DNS server. It is important to select the Active Directory integration option at the bottom of the window.

Of course, we need to enter the address space for the local network. In this case, the network ID will be 192.168.1.x. The subnet mask is 255.255.255.0, and the network can contain 254 computers. This amount will be enough for a home or small office. Switching to the mask 255.255.0.0 will increase the number of computers to 64,516.

We only need secure dynamic zone updates. Manual updates take too much effort.

Once confirmed, a reverse conversion zone will be created.

Finally, we will need a PTR record for our subnet 192.168.1.0.

Here you need to set the fully qualified domain name of the server. In our case it will be testserver.testdomain.com.

The best way to verify that DNS is configured correctly is with nslookup and ping utilities. Since we plan to also access the Internet, we need to inform the DNS server how to resolve requests for other names.

For simplicity, we simply entered the IP address of our DSL router as the DNS forwarder. Our server will automatically redirect requests to the provider's DNS server.

10 Tips for Keeping Active Directory Security

Download and read the Windows Server 2003 Security Guide

made publicly available by Microsoft is designed to help administrators take additional measures to protect their Windows servers. From creating a member server baseline policy (MSBP) and domain controller hardening mechanisms to threat screening and countermeasures, this guide is an important and effective tool that every Windows administrator should have in their arsenal.

Year of manufacture: 2003
Version: x32 x64
Developer: Microsoft
Vista compatible: Full

HDD 16 GB or more

LAN Fast Ethernet
CD-ROM or DVD-ROM

Tablet: Absent

Description:
The Windows Server 2003 system is one of the most effective platforms for building an infrastructure of network applications, networks and Web services: from the workgroup to the data center. Easier to deploy, manage, and use, Windows Server 2003 enables you to build a more secure IT infrastructure that provides a powerful application platform with the ability to quickly build networking and infrastructure solutions for industry professionals. information technologies, increasing the degree of their interaction and providing the ability to collaborate at any time and in any place.

Powerful web platform










Add. Information: Ratio of disks and checksums: Year of manufacture: 2003
Version: x32 x64
Developer: Microsoft
Vista compatible: Full
System requirements: Processor 1 GHz or more
Memory 1 GB or more (4 GB max)
HDD 16 GB or more
Monitor Super VGA (1024 x 768) or higher-resolution monitor
LAN Fast Ethernet
CD-ROM or DVD-ROM
Interface language: Russian only
Tablet: Absent

Your organization can benefit greatly by achieving cost savings and productivity gains with the highest quality Windows Server OS available. An extensive network of our partners around the world will allow us to create the most optimal solutions.
What's New in Windows Server 2003 R2
Windows Server 2003 R2 extends the capabilities of the Windows Server 2003 operating system by providing more effective means to control and manage access to local and remote resources; In addition, the tool easily integrates with your existing Windows Server 2003 environment. Windows Server 2003 R2 is a scalable, web-based platform with advanced security capabilities that provides direct compatibility with UNIX systems and offers new scenarios, including simplified management of branch servers, improved identity and access management, and more efficient storage management. Windows Server 2003 R2 Datacenter Edition and Enterprise Edition offer a new dynamic licensing system to help customers benefit from server virtualization. This article provides an overview of the benefits, new features, and enhancements in Windows Server 2003.
Built on Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 (SP1) with security, reliability, and performance enhancements, the Windows Server 2003 R2 update expands the ability to connect and manage local and remote resources. Organizations will be able to reduce costs and increase operational efficiency through improved management of corporate resources.
Simplified management of branch servers
Windows Server 2003 R2 delivers performance and availability benefits local server branch offices while avoiding the problems associated with branch server solutions, such as connection limitations and overly complex management.
Increase connectivity and reliability for branch offices and control the total cost of ownership of their IT infrastructure.
More centralized management. Provides centralized management of file and print functions.
Easier remote administration. Minimizes local administration and local backups.
More efficient use of WAN. Accelerates data replication across the global network.
Improved identity and access management
Windows Server 2003 R2 includes Active Directory Federation Services, which are designed to help administrators manage changes to credentials. This will enable organizations to enable more secure sharing of user identity data between various systems. With a simplified password management process, Windows Server 2003 R2 also provides the ability to synchronize UNIX passwords to enable integration between Windows and UNIX servers.
Adds value to your Active Directory environment by providing secure access across organizational and platform boundaries, enabling single identity management for partners and web and UNIX applications.
Increased user productivity. Reduces the number of user passwords for internal and partner-hosted web applications through extranet single sign-on and identity federation.
Improving IT efficiency. Centrally administer access to extranet applications, reduce password resets, and delegate user management to trusted partners.
Increased security. Automatically disable external access based on user account disabling in Active Directory.
Better compliance with regulatory standards. Register user access to partner applications in external security domains.
Improved interaction of heterogeneous systems. Cross-platform Web SSO and identity federation using web service interoperability specifications and tools to help manage and dynamically update accounts and passwords on Windows and UNIX systems using NIS. In addition, passwords are synchronized between Windows and UNIX operating systems.
Reduce storage management costs
Windows Server 2003 R2 includes new tools for centralized visibility, simplified storage planning, provisioning and maintenance, and improved monitoring and reporting.
Enhanced features allow you to better and cost-effectively manage your storage configuration.
Improved storage utilization. Storage reports that provide detailed information about storage usage.
Improved quota management. Monitoring and control of disk space usage.
Improved file blocking. Limiting the file types allowed on the server.
Simple SAN configurations. Convenient configuration and preparation of storage area networks (SAN).
Powerful web platform
With enhancements included in Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 (SP1), 64-bit editions, Windows SharePoint Services, .NET Framework 2.0, and Internet Information Services 6.0, Windows Server 2003 R2 enables businesses to extend their infrastructure over the Internet with lower management and deployment costs.
A more productive web platform. The latest 64-bit and .NET technologies double web performance.
Windows Services SharePoint Services is a cost-effective collaboration solution that is fast to deploy, configure, and manage.
ASP.NET allows you to quickly develop powerful Web services and applications that meet the requirements of the Dynamic Systems Initiative using the .NET Framework.
More secure and performant web servers based on IIS 6.0.
Improve performance at low cost with x64 architecture support.
Cost-effective server virtualization
Windows Server 2003 R2 Datacenter Edition allows you to run an unlimited number of virtual instances of Windows Server on processors, simplifying licensing and reducing the cost of Windows Server for large-scale virtualization. To reduce virtualization costs, Windows Server 2003 R2 Enterprise Edition (EE) supports running up to four virtual instances of Windows Server 2003 R2 EE on a single licensed physical server or hardware partition.
Increased value from virtualization. Windows Server 2003 R2 Datacenter Edition and Windows Server 2003 R2 Enterprise Edition provide more efficient server virtualization. The updated licensing policy allows customers to run an unlimited number of virtual instances of Windows Server on a single licensed physical server or hardware partition with the Datacenter Edition and up to four virtual instances of Windows Server with the Enterprise Edition. Streamlined interoperability between UNIX and Windows
The UNIX interoperability components included in Windows Server 2003 R2 help reduce the cost of integrating UNIX and Windows systems to create a complete solution. Integration of security and directory services, file and printer sharing, and reuse of UNIX code and IT skills across both platforms provide a simpler infrastructure and allow IT staff to centrally manage UNIX and Windows.
Special components included in Windows Server 2003 R2 enable you to integrate UNIX and Windows systems and leverage your existing IT skills.
Cross-platform management. By downloading utilities and SDKs (including shells and SVR-5 utilities), UNIX administrators can manage UNIX and Windows systems using familiar tools, utilities, and scripts. Windows administrators can use familiar Windows commands to manage UNIX systems, users, passwords, and permissions.
UNIX application integration. UNIX Application Subsystem (SUA) provides compatibility source code for compiling and running UNIX applications on Windows Server 2003 R2. It allows you to use individual components of UNIX applications in a Windows environment (for example, by creating a Windows graphical user interface for an existing UNIX application).
Migration of UNIX applications. The SUA subsystem makes it possible to gradually migrate most UNIX applications by recompiling them and then running them in a Windows environment. Applications can be converted or reprogrammed piece by piece to reduce user downtime and shorten transition times.
Add. Information: Ratio of disks and checksums:
Year of manufacture: 2003
Version: x32 x64
Developer: Microsoft
Vista compatible: Full
System requirements: Processor 1 GHz or more
Memory 1 GB or more (4 GB max)
HDD 16 GB or more
Monitor Super VGA (1024 x 768) or higher-resolution monitor
LAN Fast Ethernet
CD-ROM or DVD-ROM
Interface language: Russian only
Tablet: Absent
Description: The Windows Server 2003 system is one of the most effective platforms for building an infrastructure of network applications, networks and web services: from the workgroup to the data center. Easier to deploy, manage, and use, Windows Server 2003 enables you to build a more secure IT infrastructure that provides a powerful application platform with the ability to quickly build networking and infrastructure solutions for information technology professionals to enhance their collaboration and enable the ability to collaborate anytime, anywhere.
Your organization can benefit greatly by achieving cost savings and productivity gains with the highest quality Windows Server OS available. An extensive network of our partners around the world will allow us to create the most optimal solutions.
What's New in Windows Server 2003 R2
Windows Server 2003 R2 enhances the capabilities of the Windows Server 2003 operating system: provides more effective tools for controlling and managing access to local and remote resources; In addition, the tool easily integrates with your existing Windows Server 2003 environment. Windows Server 2003 R2 is a scalable, web-based platform with advanced security capabilities that provides direct compatibility with UNIX systems and offers new scenarios, including simplified management of branch servers, improved identity and access management, and more efficient storage management. Windows Server 2003 R2 Datacenter Edition and Enterprise Edition offer a new dynamic licensing system to help customers benefit from server virtualization. This article provides an overview of the benefits, new features, and enhancements in Windows Server 2003.
Built on Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 (SP1) with security, reliability, and performance enhancements, the Windows Server 2003 R2 update expands the ability to connect and manage local and remote resources. Organizations will be able to reduce costs and increase operational efficiency through improved management of corporate resources.
Simplified management of branch servers
Windows Server 2003 R2 allows you to gain the performance and availability benefits of an on-premises branch server while avoiding the problems associated with branch server solutions, such as connection limitations and overly complex management.
Increase connectivity and reliability for branch offices and control the total cost of ownership of their IT infrastructure.
More centralized management. Provides centralized management of file and print functions.
Easier remote administration. Minimizes local administration and local backups.
More efficient use of WAN. Accelerates data replication across the global network.
Improved identity and access management
Windows Server 2003 R2 includes Active Directory Federation Services, which are designed to help administrators manage changes to credentials. This will enable organizations to enable more secure sharing of user identity data between different systems. With a simplified password management process, Windows Server 2003 R2 also provides the ability to synchronize UNIX passwords to enable integration between Windows and UNIX servers.
Adds value to your Active Directory environment by providing secure access across organizational and platform boundaries, enabling single identity management for partners and web and UNIX applications.
Increased user productivity. Reduces the number of user passwords for internal and partner-hosted web applications through extranet single sign-on and identity federation.
Improving IT efficiency. Centrally administer access to extranet applications, reduce password resets, and delegate user management to trusted partners.
Increased security. Automatically disable external access based on user account disabling in Active Directory.
Better compliance with regulatory standards. Register user access to partner applications in external security domains.
Improved interaction of heterogeneous systems. Cross-platform Web SSO and identity federation using web service interoperability specifications and tools to help manage and dynamically update accounts and passwords on Windows and UNIX systems using NIS. In addition, passwords are synchronized between Windows and UNIX operating systems.
Reduce storage management costs
Windows Server 2003 R2 includes new tools for centralized visibility, simplified storage planning, provisioning and maintenance, and improved monitoring and reporting.
Enhanced features allow you to better and cost-effectively manage your storage configuration.
Improved storage utilization. Storage reports that provide detailed information about storage usage.
Improved quota management. Monitoring and control of disk space usage.
Improved file blocking. Limiting the file types allowed on the server.
Simple SAN configurations. Convenient configuration and preparation of storage area networks (SAN).
Powerful web platform
With enhancements included in Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 (SP1), 64-bit editions, Windows SharePoint Services, .NET Framework 2.0, and Internet Information Services 6.0, Windows Server 2003 R2 enables businesses to extend their infrastructure over the Internet with lower management and deployment costs.
A more productive web platform. The latest 64-bit and .NET technologies double web performance.
Windows SharePoint Services is a cost-effective collaboration solution that is fast to deploy, configure, and manage.
ASP.NET allows you to quickly develop powerful Web services and applications that meet the requirements of the Dynamic Systems Initiative using the .NET Framework.
More secure and performant web servers based on IIS 6.0.
Improve performance at low cost with x64 architecture support.
Cost-effective server virtualization
Windows Server 2003 R2 Datacenter Edition allows you to run an unlimited number of virtual instances of Windows Server on processors, simplifying licensing and reducing the cost of Windows Server for large-scale virtualization. To reduce virtualization costs, Windows Server 2003 R2 Enterprise Edition (EE) supports running up to four virtual instances of Windows Server 2003 R2 EE on a single licensed physical server or hardware partition.
Increased value from virtualization. Windows Server 2003 R2 Datacenter Edition and Windows Server 2003 R2 Enterprise Edition provide more efficient server virtualization. The updated licensing policy allows customers to run an unlimited number of virtual instances of Windows Server on a single licensed physical server or hardware partition with the Datacenter Edition and up to four virtual instances of Windows Server with the Enterprise Edition. Streamlined interoperability between UNIX and Windows
The UNIX interoperability components included in Windows Server 2003 R2 help reduce the cost of integrating UNIX and Windows systems to create a complete solution. Integration of security and directory services, file and printer sharing, and reuse of UNIX code and IT skills across both platforms provide a simpler infrastructure and allow IT staff to centrally manage UNIX and Windows.
Special components included in Windows Server 2003 R2 enable you to integrate UNIX and Windows systems and leverage your existing IT skills.
Cross-platform management. By downloading utilities and SDKs (including shells and SVR-5 utilities), UNIX administrators can manage UNIX and Windows systems using familiar tools, utilities, and scripts. Windows administrators can use familiar Windows commands to manage UNIX systems, users, passwords, and permissions.
UNIX application integration. The UNIX Application Subsystem (SUA) provides source code compatibility for compiling and running UNIX applications on Windows Server 2003 R2. It allows you to use individual components of UNIX applications in a Windows environment (for example, by creating a Windows graphical user interface for an existing UNIX application).
Migration of UNIX applications. The SUA subsystem makes it possible to gradually migrate most UNIX applications by recompiling them and then running them in a Windows environment. Applications can be converted or reprogrammed piece by piece to reduce user downtime and shorten transition times.