Windows 2000 Server

As you already learned in Chapter 5, 'Desktop Operating Systems: A Comparison,' the Windows 2000 operating system offers many enhancements over Windows NT 4. Windows 2000 Server offers all the benefits of Windows NT 4 Server but with many improvements in Internet support, performance, and security.

Beyond the major changes to the core of the software, Windows 2000 takes a different approach to network configuration. The most significant change is the introduction of Active Directory services. Unlike Windows NT 4, which uses Microsoft's domain model for managing NT servers, Windows 2000 manages resources (including other 2000 and NT computers) by using the directory services model. This model is similar in concept to Novell's NetWare Directory Services. Besides being able to manage servers, computers, printers, and users, Active Directory can maintain consistency throughout an organization, regardless of geographical location.

A much sought-after improvement to Windows 2000 is increased support for wizards as part of configuring and managing the server. Wizards make server configuration quicker and easier.

When to Choose Windows 2000 Server

Windows 2000 Server has proven itself to be a reliable and robust operating system. Windows 2000 builds on the advantages of Windows NT, with the introduction of Active Directory. With the first release of Active Directory, you see the following significant advances.

There are some clear advantages to selecting Windows 2000 Server:

• Directory services are the future in network management.

• Fewer restarts are required when you're adding services.

• It includes support for Windows NT domains and Active Directory.

Disadvantages to consider before adopting Windows 2000 Server:

• This is the first release of Active Directory.

• Windows 2000 Server has tens of millions of lines of more code than Windows NT Server, which could be a problem in itself.