Microsoft Windows Server 2008 is the next generation of the Windows Server operating system that helps information technology (IT) professionals maximize control over their infrastructure while providing unprecedented availability and management capabilities, leading to a significantly more secure, reliable, and robust server environment than ever before.

Windows Server 2008 delivers new value to organizations by ensuring all users regardless of location are able to get the full complement of services from the network. Windows Server 2008 also provides deep insight into the operating system and diagnostic capabilities to allow administrators to spend more time adding business value. Windows Server 2008 is far more than a refinement of predecessor operating systems. Windows Server 2008 is designed to provide organizations with the most productive platform for powering applications, networks, and Web services from the workgroup to the datacenter with exciting, valuable new functionality and powerful improvements to the base operating system.

Windows Server 2008 Enterprise delivers an enterprise-class platform for deploying business-critical applications. It helps improve availability with clustering and hot-add processor capabilities; improve security with consolidated identity management features; and reduce infrastructure costs by consolidating applications with virtualization licensing rights. Windows Server 2008 Enterprise provides the foundation for a highly dynamic, scalabl IT infrastructure..

Large-Scale Virtualization - Logically consolidate servers and streamline management - Reduce the cost associated with power, cooling, and data center space - Increase the availability of your systems - Optimize system utilization and realize significant infrastructure and management cost savings

In addition, Windows Server 2008 R2 Datacenter includes unlimited virtualization rights. These rights enable you to run an unlimited number of Hyper-V virtual machines on physical servers licensed with Windows Server 2008 R2 Datacenter.

Increased Scalability

As organizations rapidly grow and change, IT infrastructures must remain flexible and scalable to help support, manage, and secure expanded functionality, an influx of additional users and work locations, and increasingly critical applications.

Windows Server 2008 R2 Datacenter easily scales to adapt to the increased needs of data warehousing and transaction processing. Datacenter also provides:

Support for up to 64 x64 physical processors (up to 256 logical processors) and 2 terabytes of RAM Support for a virtually unlimited number of virtual private network (VPN) connections Authentication and authorization for a virtually unlimited number of network access service and network policy server connections

High Availability

Succeeding in the global marketplace requires that remote employees as well as international customers and partners have around-the-clock access to information. A disruption in services can result in diminished productivity and lost opportunities. Windows Server 2008 R2 Datacenter offers features that enhance the availability of your applications and services, including failover clustering and support for Dynamic Hardware Partitioning.

Failover Clustering

Windows Server 2008 R2 Datacenter provides robust, rapid failover clustering that is easy to manage and automatically takes action in the event of a failed server, maintaining service so that users experience minimal disruption. Failover clustering in Windows Server 2008 R2 Datacenter supports up to 16 nodes. Combined with third-party replication products, multi-site clustering is also possible.

Dynamic Hardware Partitioning

Windows Server 2008 R2 Datacenter further enhances server availability with Dynamic Hardware Partitioning. On supporting hardware, Windows Server can run on one or more isolated hardware partitions within a server. The ability to “hot add” or replace processors and memory helps increase the reliability and serviceability of systems. For example, you can replace a processor that shows signs of failing or add spare processors to a partition as demand increases.