ServicesConcepts

ServicesConcepts

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A service is a process that runs in the background on a machine to perform actions in response to client requests . Services on Microsoft Windows platforms are the equivalent of daemons on Unix platforms. An example of a service is the World Wide Web (WWW) service, which runs on a server on which Internet Information Services (IIS) is installed. The WWW service runs in the background on the server, waiting to receive Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) requests from web browsers. When an HTTP request is received, the WWW service responds by sending the requested files or performing the requested action.

Table 4-49 provides a list of many of the services that can run on WS2003 machines, focusing on services important for everyday administrative functions and tasks . Note that installing optional Windows components or other Microsoft server applications such as Exchange Server or SQL Server adds additional services to your machine.

The following is a key to Table 4-49:

A

Enabled, starts automatically during bootup

M

Enabled, must be manually started by an administrator

D

Disabled, must be enabled before it can be started

Table 4-49. WS2003 services

Service	Startup type	Description
Alerter	M	Notifies selected users and computers of administrative alerts
Automatic Updates	A	Enables the download and installation of critical Windows updates
Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS)	M	Transfers data between clients and servers in the background
ClipBook	D	Supports ClipBook Viewer, which allows pages to be seen by remote ClipBooks
Computer Browser	A	Maintains an up-to-date list of computers on your network and supplies the list to programs that request it
DHCP Client	A	Manages network configuration by registering and updating IP addresses and DNS names
Distributed File System	A	Manages logical volumes distributed across a LAN or WAN
Distributed Link Tracking Client	A	Sends notifications of files moving between NTFS volumes in a network domain
DNS Client	A	Resolves and caches DNS names
Event Log	A	Logs event messages issued by programs and windows
File Replication Service	M	Maintains file synchronization of file-directory contents among multiple servers
Indexing Service	M	Indexes contents and properties of files on local and remote computers; provides rapid access to files through flexible querying language
Internet Connection Firewall (ICF)/Internet Connection Sharing (ICS)	D	Provides Network Address Translation, addressing, and name -resolution services for all computers on your home network through a dial-up connection
Intersite Messaging	D	Allows messages to be sent and received between Active Directory sites
IPSec Services	A	Manages IP Security policy and starts the ISAKMP/Oakley (IKE) and the IP Security drivers
Kerberos Key Distribution Center	D	Generates session keys and grants service tickets for mutual client/server authentication
License Logging Service	D	Manages licenses
Logical Disk Manager	A	Logical Disk Manager watchdog service
Logical Disk Manager Administrative Service	M	Administrative service for disk-management requests
Messenger	D	Sends and receives messages transmitted by administrators or by the Alerter service
Microsoft Software Shadow Copy Provider	M	Manages software-based volume shadow copies
Net Logon	M	Supports pass-through authentication of account logon events for computers in a domain
Network Connections	M	Manages objects in the Network and Dial-Up Connections folder, in which you can view both local area network and remote connections
NT LM Security Support Provider	M	Provides security to remote procedure call (RPC) programs that use transports other than named pipes
Performance Logs and Alerts	M	Configures performance logs and alerts
Plug and Play	A	Manages device installation and configuration and notifies programs of device changes
Print Spooler	A	Temporarily stores files for later printing
Protected Storage	A	Provides protected storage for sensitive data, such as private keys, to prevent access by unauthorized services, processes, or users
Remote Registry	A	Allows remote registry manipulation
Removable Storage	M	Manages removable media, drives , and libraries
Routing and Remote Access	D	Offers routing services to businesses in LAN and WAN environments
SAP Agent	A	SAP agent
Secondary Logon	A	Enables starting processes under alternate credentials
Security Accounts Manager	A	Stores security information for local user accounts
Server	A	Provides RPC support and file, print, and named pipe sharing
System Event Notification	A	Tracks system events such as Windows logon, network, and power events; notifies COM+ Event System subscribers of these events
Task Scheduler	A	Enables a program to run at a designated time
TCP/IP NETBIOS Helper Service	A	Enables support for NetBIOS over TCP/IP (NetBT) service and NetBIOS name resolution
TCP/IP Print Server	A	Provides a TCP/IP-based printing service that uses the LPD protocol
Telephony	M	Provides Telephony API (TAPI) support for programs that control telephony devices
Telnet	D	Allows a remote user to log on to the system and run console programs using the command line
Terminal Services	M	Provides a multisession environment that allows client devices to access a virtual XP Professional desktop session and windows-based programs running on the server
Uninterruptible Power Supply	M	Manages an uninterruptible power supply (UPC) connected to the computer
Volume Shadow Copy	M	Manages and implements volume shadow copies used for backups
Windows Installer	M	Installs, repairs , and removes Windows Installer Packages
Windows Management Instrumentation	A	Provides system-management information
Windows Management Instrumentation Driver Extensions	M	Provides system-management information to and from drivers
Windows Time	A	Maintains date and time synchronization of all servers and clients in the network
Workstation	A	Provides network connections and communications