Changes in Functionality from Windows Server 2003 with SP1 to Windows Server 2008

Applies To: Windows Server 2008

In the Windows Server® 2008 operating system, Microsoft is introducing many new features and technologies, which were not available in Windows Server® 2003 with Service Pack 1 (SP1), that will help to increase the security of computers running Windows Server 2008, increase productivity, and reduce administrative overhead. This set of topics describes some of these features and technologies.

These topics apply to the released version of Windows Server 2008. They do not describe all of the changes that are included in Windows Server 2008. Instead, they highlight changes that will potentially have the greatest impact on your use of Windows Server 2008 and provide references to additional information.

Updated Versions

This document is available in Web format as part of the Windows Server 2008 Technical Library, for browsing and reading online. The Web version allows you to provide comments directly to the authors of the topics included in this document. We welcome your feedback.

This document is also available in Microsoft Word format for off-line reading or printing. The most current version of the Microsoft Word format is available at https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=87488.

Topics Included

The full set of topics is listed in the Table of Contents (TOC) navigation area to the left. (To expand the TOC, click the "+" next to this topic: "Changes in Functionality in Windows Server 2008.")

Roles and Services

• Server Manager

• Server Core Installation Option

• Active Directory Certificate Services Role

• Active Directory Domain Services Role

• Active Directory Federation Services Role

• Active Directory Lightweight Directory Services Role

• Active Directory Rights Management Services Role

• Application Server Role

• DNS Server Role

• Fax Server Role

• File Services Role

• Network Policy and Access Services Role

• Print Services Role

• Streaming Media Services Role

• Terminal Services Role

• Virtualization Role

• Web Server (IIS) Role

• Windows Deployment Services Role

Security Features

• Authorization Manager

• BitLocker Drive Encryption in Windows Vista

• Encrypting File System

• Security Configuration Wizard

• User Account Control

Other Features

• Boot Process and BCDEdit

• Diskshadow

• Failover Clustering

• Group Policy

• Network Load Balancing Improvements

• Next Generation TCP/IP Protocols and Networking Components

• Volume Activation 2.0

• Windows Firewall with Advanced Security

• Windows PowerShell

• Windows Reliability and Performance Monitor

• Windows Server Troubleshooting Documentation

• 802.1X Authenticated Wired and Wireless Access

Other Resources and Feedback

For general information about Windows Server 2008, visit the Windows Server 2008 section of the Microsoft Web site (https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=75022) for public information.

Please provide us with your comments. You can do so using this Web version of this document.