Specifying the Server Specification to Meet System Requirements

Certainly, the domain controllers themselves are key components in the physical design of an Active Directory. These servers must have the proper hardware and software to be effective in a Windows Server 2003 network. In this section, we examine the following:

  • Software editions

  • Hardware requirements and recommendations

Software Editions

Microsoft actually makes four Windows 2003 operating systems. These operating systems, referred to as editions, include the following:

  • Web Edition

  • Standard Edition

  • Enterprise Edition

  • Datacenter Editio

Each edition is designed for use in a specific role in the network environment. We now examine the four Windows Server 2003 editions and their major roles.

Web Edition

Web Edition servers are not made for use as domain controllers. As their name implies, they are to be used as a Web servers. They are tuned for serving and hosting Web pages while maintaining vital security. Web servers are becoming increasingly important in today's interconnected world.

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You should know that the Web Edition is not designed to be a domain controller.


Standard Edition

The Standard Edition can be a domain controller for a small organization, but Microsoft recommends that Standard Edition servers be used primarily for file and print servers and desktop application servers. They are not designed to be domain controllers for a large enterprise.

Enterprise Edition

Enterprise Edition is the recommended software for domain controllers for small, medium, and large networks. It can provide the high reliability and performance required for a domain controller. Enterprise Edition is available in a 32-bit version and a 64-bit version.

Datacenter Edition

Datacenter Edition is for huge business-critical and mission-critical applications and databases. It provides the highest levels of scalability, reliability, and manageability available. Datacenter Edition is available in a 32-bit version and a 64-bit version.

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It should be noted that the Web and Datacenter Editions are available only through original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and cannot be purchased off the shelf as the Standard and Enterprise Editions can.


Hardware Requirements and Recommendations

There is a huge difference between a requirement and a recommendation. A requirement is simply the minimum that will allow the system to function in any capacity. This would certainly not be a good idea in a dynamic and growing network. The recommended specification is the minimum that was found to give acceptable performance in a typical network environment.

Table 6.1 lists the required and recommended minimums for hardware used for domain controllers in the three different operating systems. Web Edition is not included because it is not designed for use as a domain controller.

Table 6.1. Requirements and Recommendations for Domain Controllers

Hardware Component

Standard Edition

Enterprise Edition

Datacenter Edition

Required CPU Speed

133MHz

133MHz 733MHz for 64-bit version

400MHz 733MHz for 64-bit version

Recommended CPU Speed

550MHz

733MHz

733MHz

Required RAM

128MB

128MB

512MB

Recommended RAM

256MB

256MB

1GB

Multi-Processor Support

Up to 4

Up to 8

8 required Up to 32



MCSE Designing a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Active Directory and Network Infrastructure Exam Cram 2
MCSE Designing a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Active Directory and Network Infrastructure Exam Cram 2 (Exam Cram 70-297)
ISBN: 0789730154
EAN: 2147483647
Year: 2003
Pages: 152

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