A First Look: Peer Into the Future of Windows
Microsoft hopes tightly integrated Windows servers will ease the complexity of managing an enterprise.
by Danielle Ruest and Nelson Ruest
November 19, 2004
Microsoft's server products have come a long way since 1993 when the company released Windows NT 3.1. The combination of BackOffice Server and Windows NT formed the foundation of Microsoft's first forays into the server realm a decade ago.
Today, Windows NT is reborn as Windows Server 2003. BackOffice is reincarnated as the Windows Server System—a collection of server-based tools that support a whole series of features and functions required for organizations that span small businesses to enterprises. Windows Server itself is considerably more robust and more secure than Windows NT ever was. The same goes for the Windows Server System. This family of products covers everything from infrastructure management and software deployment to collaboration and communications support for information workers. All products in the family have matured. Many have been redesigned from the ground up.
Microsoft also released a new brand: the Microsoft Office System. These server products are still part of the Windows Server System family, but because of their focus on information worker support, they have been included in the Office family of products, as Office has now become a synonym for office automation.
Overall, 18 products make up the Windows Server System. Each focuses on a specific feature or network function. Products are grouped into three functional infrastructure categories: operations infrastructure, information work infrastructure, and application infrastructure (see Figure 1).
The glue that brings all of these infrastructure components together lies in Microsoft's Windows strategy at both the server and the client level. One of the key features of the Windows Server System is its integrated look and feel. Windows Server System has taken lessons from Microsoft Office and now offers a single approach to administration and management, the Microsoft Management Console (MMC). Once operators have learned how the MMC works, they only need to learn a specific product's functionality when they integrate a new Windows Server System product into their network infrastructure.
"Microsoft provides the only platform where when we add functionality to a network, we reduce complexity," says Ilya Bukshteyn, director of product management for the Windows Server System. That's quite a claim and it's not far from the truth. The tight integration between Windows Server System products does help reduce the complexity of managing a complete enterprise architecture. And, despite information to the contrary, managing a homogeneous infrastructure is far less complex than managing an infrastructure where services are provided by different platforms.
To support his statement, Bukshteyn uses Windows Small Business Server (SBS) 2003 as an example. Bukshteyn says SBS provides a complete platform for the small business even as far as full support for wireless e-mail and Internet access through pocket devices. This is done through the integration of features such as Exchange's support for Outlook Mobile Access, which is designed to provide secure wireless e-mail to Smartphones or Pocket PCs. Thus, organizations choosing this product do not require third-party tools such as the Blackberry and the infrastructure required to support it to gain a wireless advantage. SBS is an integrated version of multiple Windows Server System components, including SQL Server, Exchange Server, ISA Server, and more in its Premium Edition. Because of this, it is much like the BackOffice of old that provides one single integrated installation for all required components.
This is not the case for the other individual products of the Windows Server System. Installations are independent and even though there are integration points, they are not necessarily automated.
"Windows Server System no longer includes integrated deployment scenarios such as were available in BackOffice," Bukshteyn says. "That's because enterprise customers have asked us to keep installations separate. This allows them to deploy Windows Server System components individually and on independent schedules.
"That said, we do have a tight integration scenario with Small Business Server, but that addresses only the small business," Bukshteyn says. "Our goal in the coming year is to address medium-sized business needs through approaches similar to SBS. Their requirements are much like those of the small business and they often work with small IT teams. Creating medium-sized business versions of bundled Windows Server System products is something we intend to work on in the future so they can have the functionality they need right out of the box."
In the meantime, Microsoft has launched a new Windows Server System initiative designed to further reduce infrastructure management and maintenance complexity. It is the Common Engineering Criteria, a set of integrated standards and tools that will span the entire Windows Server System family (see Figure 2). These tools include an integrated installation model based on the Windows Installer service, something that is not yet a reality. SQL Server 2000, for example, does not install through an MSI, but SQL Server 2005 will once it is released.
The Common Engineering Criteria also includes command-line scripting, Operations Manager management packs for all members of the Windows Server System family, Virtual Server support, integration where appropriate to the clustering capabilities supported by Windows Server, integration to the .NET Framework, much more thorough testing prior to product launch, integrated reference architecture and comprehensive training available at product launch, and finally, secure architecture from the very beginning. This initiative will go a long way toward making it easier to include Windows Server System solutions in an infrastructure.
But this is not the only initiative. According to Bukshteyn, Microsoft is slated to release several new product editions in 2005 (see Figure 3). New editions of SQL Server, BizTalk Server, Host Integration Server, Commerce Server, and even new editions of Windows Server 2003 are in the works. In addition, Microsoft intends to release a second edition of System Center, its integrated monitoring and management platform that brings together the best of SMS and Microsoft Operations Manager (MOM).
In support of these new editions, Microsoft plans to release an updated edition of Visual Studio that will integrate program testing and team collaboration, two necessary additions to any programming environment. Let's look at each of the servers.
Application Center 2000
Application Center 2000 is designed to support two major roles in the enterprise: component load balancing, supporting up to 12-node clusters, and Web content deployment to multiple end points. As the name suggests, Application Center 2000 has not been updated since 2000. It is not slated for major updates or new releases. Microsoft expects to eventually incorporate its feature set into the next version of Windows Server 2003.
BizTalk Server 2004
BizTalk is Microsoft's business orchestration tool. It is designed to integrate data flows from multiple heterogeneous sources to provide smooth interaction at the transaction level.
BizTalk was updated in 2004 and is expected to be updated again in 2005. BizTalk uses adapters to provide its core functionality. New adapters continue to be added to increase the reach of this integration tool.
Commerce Server 2002
Commerce Server 2002 is the flagship business or e-commerce portal that Microsoft provides to enable Internet-based commercial transactions.
In 2004, Microsoft released Feature Pack 1 for Commerce Server 2002, which provides additional support for cataloguing, includes the ability to support promotions, and has increased support for site deployment through Application Center 2000. Microsoft also released an updated version of its Solution for Internet Business—a technical roadmap for Commerce Server 2002 implementation—in 2004.
Content Management Server 2002
MCMS is a comprehensive content management tool that is currently designed to simplify static Web content control through workflows.
Microsoft released the CMS Connector for SharePoint Technologies in 2004. This connector lets you integrate CMS with SharePoint to create a content-driven portal. Microsoft also engaged development firm Telerik to create a new and free Word-like editor for MCMS. Microsoft also released a Standard Edition of this tool to give small to medium firms access to its feature set. There is no official talk of it, but Microsoft's plans might be to integrate more CMS functionality into SharePoint in the future.
Data Protection Server
DPS is designed to provide disk-based backup and restore capabilities to networks of all sizes. The advantage of this system is that it provides easy and rapid access to protected data and supports rapid recovery of network data.
DPS is currently a beta product that builds on the capabilities of Windows Storage Server to provide a network-attached storage-based solution to the backup issues all organizations face. Because it is disk-based, DPS can vastly reduce both backup and recovery times.
Exchange Server 2003
Microsoft's main e-mail engine has been redesigned to manage connectivity with clients. It now controls access from slow networks or even wireless devices. The best configuration requires Outlook 2003.
This is one of Windows Server System's best sellers. Exchange has been updated on many occasions and is now one of the best e-mail engines on the market. To increase the effectiveness of this tool, Microsoft released a Best Practices Analyzer Tool for Exchange in 2004. It is designed to ensure your e-mail infrastructure is designed properly.
Host Integration Server 2004
HIS is designed to integrate your Windows systems with back-end mainframes. It provides single sign-on and allows users transparent access to back-end data. A new version of HIS, released in 2004, provides additional functionality, especially in the area of ease of use. Another version is slated for release in 2005.
Identity Integration Server 2003
MIIS is designed to support identity integration from disparate sources. It can target a specific data source as the authoritative source of identity data and use it to synchronize change into a variety of deposits, notably Active Directory and many third-party sources.
Microsoft was expected to update MIIS with Service Pack 1 in 2004 and has also released the Identity and Access Management series of technical documents outlining identity management best practices. One great feature of SP1 will be complete password synchronization with all data sources.
Internet Security and Acceleration Server 2004
ISA Server provides comprehensive firewall protection at the application level. It is also a reverse proxy that has the ability to support authentication and carry through the authenticated user to the internal network if need be. In addition, it continues to provide Internet proxy services.
ISA 2004—though it was released much in the same time frame as MOM 2005, ISA still sports the 2004 name—has a completely revamped interface that greatly simplifies the application of security and perimeter rules through scenarios. This interface goes a long way toward making this product more attractive and useful to organizations that do not have the knowledge in place to support a software firewall with confidence.
Microsoft Office Live Communications Server 2003
LCS is a standards-based instant messaging solution that—together with Microsoft Office Live Meeting, a hosted interactive meeting space—provides extensive instant collaboration capabilities.
LCS' main strength is that it is based on the Session Initiation Protocol, an Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) standard that is used to provide presence information for users of the service. The advantage of using this standard is that it can easily tie to Internet Protocol-integrated telephone systems, providing both voice and instant messaging integration.
Microsoft Office SharePoint Portal Server 2003
SPS is a portal-based collaboration environment that builds on the Windows SharePoint Services, a free add-on to Windows Server, to tie together your organization's teamwork and increase productivity. SPS includes portal capabilities, allowing you to target information to special audiences, supports integrated searching of information deposits both inside and outside of SPS, and provides integrated management of team and personal sites.
In 2004, Microsoft released Service Pack 1 for both Windows SharePoint Services and SharePoint Portal Server to improve both security and performance issues.
Microsoft Operations Manager 2005
MOM offers the ability to manage and monitor all Windows Server System operations. MOM 2005 has been streamlined to simplify its operation and installation and provide much more information about any of the services of a Windows Server System installation. The 2005 version comes in two editions—Enterprise and Express. The latter is a new release targeted to small organizations with 10 or fewer servers.
With the release of MOM 2005 in 2004, Microsoft has vastly improved the breadth of its management solution. MOM 2005 includes a new operations interface, giving operators much more information on both realtime server events and how to troubleshoot errors when they occur.
Speech Server 2004
MSS combines telephony, Web applications, and speech processing to provide an integrated voice-enabled system. It uses standards-based approaches to allow organizations to make the most of customer relationship management and provide integrated call center services.
MSS combines with integrated voice processing technologies to create voice-processing systems that can easily be tied into Web applications and services. In addition to MSS, Microsoft has released a speech software development kit that allows organizations to create their own voice-integrated systems.
SQL Server 2000
SQL Server is Microsoft's flagship data storage solution. This relational database serves as both an application and infrastructure support tool. SQL Server has recently been updated with additional functionality such as Analysis Services, Reporting Services, and Notification Services. In addition, Microsoft has begun shipping special SQL report packs for various components of the Windows Server System.
SQL Server is slated for a major upgrade in 2005. In fact, Microsoft has "bet the farm" on the transformation of this four-year-old product into a pure Extensible Markup Language (XML)-driven database engine. To support the extended features of SQL Server 2005, Microsoft also intends to release an updated version of Visual Studio .NET. In addition, Microsoft intends to release an "Express" edition of SQL Server that will replace the current Microsoft SQL Server Desktop Edition and might well prove to replace Microsoft Access.
Systems Management Server 2003
SMS has been Microsoft's main component for change and configuration management. It provides inventory, software deployment, remote control, patch management, and software metering. It supports Windows platforms but also works in heterogeneous environments. In advanced mode, SMS 2003 provides a secure and lightweight Client Configuration Manager (CCM) platform for servers and PCs.
In 2004, Microsoft updated SMS 2003 with Service Pack 1 and released the first of three feature packs: the SMS Administration Pack, which helps with complex administration tasks. The two other feature packs are in release candidate mode and should be out soon: the Device Management and OS Deployment feature packs. The first supports the management of portable devices, and the second integrates the ability to deploy complete images to bare-bones systems. Microsoft also released AdminStudio SMS Edition, a free software packaging tool that goes a long way toward improving the long-lived SMS Installer.
Virtual Server 2005
Microsoft recently released its flagship virtual machine technology. Virtual Server is designed to help organizations move low-use production boxes to virtual instances that can coexist on a single hardware host. In conjunction with MOM 2005, Virtual Server can help organizations identify hardware-based servers that are underused and migrate them automatically to a single physical host.
In support of Virtual Server, Microsoft has released the Solution Accelerator for Consolidating and Migrating LOB Applications, which allows organizations to identify or prepare applications for migration to a virtual platform. Microsoft also offers Virtual PC for both the Windows and the Macintosh platforms.
Windows Small Business Server 2003
SBS is the small-business equivalent of Microsoft BackOffice. It comes in two versions that include the same functionality, but one is based mostly on Windows Server's built-in functions while the other is based on the Windows Server System. SBS is designed to run on a single box in support of organizations of up to 75 users.
SBS seems to be a perfect low-cost solution that addresses small-business server needs in a few simple steps. Administration is designed in such a manner that it requires little knowledge of IT systems and can be automated easily.
Windows Storage Server 2003
Storage Server is a special original equipment manufacturer version of a network-attached storage appliance that can be installed easily within minutes and immediately provide up to terabytes of storage at relatively low cost.
In 2004, Microsoft released the Exchange Storage feature pack for Storage Server, moving the product into a support role for storage requirements that were previously the realm of storage-attached networks only. Microsoft currently claims that Storage Server now holds up to 50 percent of the NAS-device marketplace, which is impressive for a product released less than three years ago.
The Road Ahead
Beyond 2005, Microsoft will continue to work on Longhorn, the new version of its operating system, which will impact the entire Windows Server System and require updates to most of its components. The company is excited about its future products, but it's also proud of its current fare.
"We provide a complete set of servers that rely on a single directory, a single installation model, and a single management approach," Bukshteyn says. With organizations spending 70 to 80 percent of their efforts on maintenance today, a Microsoft Windows Server System infrastructure (see Figure 4) that includes such high integration promises big advantages.
Of course, relying on a single provider for all infrastructure services puts an organization at risk, especially in terms of security. Here, Microsoft hopes its spending and attention to security over the past two years will address this difficulty.
About the Authors
Danielle Ruest and Nelson Ruest (MCSE, MCT) are multiple book authors focusing on systems design, administration, and management. They run a consulting company that concentrates on IT infrastructure architecture and change and configuration management. You can reach them at .
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