difference between 2003 and 2008 One of the really exciting new ones is the concept of the read-only

domain controller. Before with AD, as compared with NT 4.0 in particular, every domain controller has a writable copy of your directory. You can make a change anywhere and it will propagate throughout the environment. At the same time, all of [the domain controllers] have secrets like your password. Right now with Windows Server 2003, if that server security is physically compromised and gets stolen and it's not secure, then you have a huge security issue in that all the password for that domain are in the DNCs. So the only approach you can take is to make everyone change their password. That's a big deal if you have 100,000 people on that domain. With the new read-only domain controller feature, this change is twofold. First you can now define which passwords are stored locally. Now if the server gets stolen, you only have to have 100 people change their passwords versus 100,000. Second, you can't make any changes on that domain controller (DC), because it's read only. 1.we can install windows 2008 server either in full version(install all services& applications) or server core(only install minimal required services), but in 2003 we can only install fully O.S. 2.Windows server 2008 use Hyper-V application & Roles concept for better productivity but server 2003 does not have such features. 1)2008 is combination of vista and windows 2003r2. Some new services are introduced in it 1. RODC one new domain controller introduced in it [Read-only Domain controllers.] 2. WDS (windows deployment services) instead of RIS in 2003 server 3. shadow copy for each and every folders 4.boot sequence is changed 5.installation is 32 bit where as 2003 it is 16 as well as 32 bit, that's why installation of 2008 is faster 6.services are known as role in it

7. Group policy editor is a separate option in ads

2) The main difference between 2003 and 2008 is Virtualization, management. 2008 has more inbuilt components and updated third party drivers Microsoft introduces new feature with 2k8 that is Hyper-V Windows Server 2008 introduces Hyper-V (V for Virtualization) but only on 64bit versions. More and more companies are seeing this as a way of reducing hardware costs by running several 'virtual' servers on one physical machine. If you like this exciting technology, make sure that you buy an edition of Windows Server 2008 that includes Hyper-V, then launch the Server Manger, add Roles.

3) In Windows Server 2008, Microsoft is introducing new features and technologies, some of which were not available in Windows Server 2003 with Service Pack 1 (SP1), that will help to reduce the power consumption of server and client operating systems, minimize environmental byproducts, and increase server efficiency. Microsoft Windows Server 2008 has been designed with energy efficiency in mind, to provide customers with ready and convenient access to a number of new power-saving features. It includes updated support for Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI) processor power management (PPM) features, including support for processor performance states (P-states) and processor idle sleep states on multiprocessor systems. These features simplify power management in Windows Server 2008 (WS08) and can be managed easily across servers and clients using Group Policies

1. What is Microsoft Active Directory?

Active Directory is Microsoft's directory service for the Windows architecture. It is a centralized and standardized system that automates network management of user data, security and distributed resources and enables interoperation with other directories.

First introduced with Windows 2000 Server, Active Directory is designed especially for distributed networking environments, and provides a single hierarchical view from which to access and manage all network resources. You can find a more detailed explanation of what Active Directory does from our Active Directory tutorial.
2. What are the benefits of Active Directory over Windows NT

4.0 directory services? Active Directory marked a shift in the way that Microsoft manages directory services, moving from the flat and fairly restrictive namespaces used by NT4 domains toward an actual hierarchical directory structure. There's a sample chapter from the Windows 2000 technical reference that provides a good introduction into the major differences between the NT4 and Active Directory directory services.

3. What is the difference between Windows 2000 Active

Directory and Windows 2003 Active Directory? Windows 2003 Active Directory introduced a number of new security features, as well as convenience features such as the ability to rename a domain controller and even an entire domain. This article breaks down some of the key AD enhancements included with Windows Server 2003. The release of Windows Server 2003 SP1 included more improvements to Active Directory, including changes to default tombstone lifetimes, simpler troubleshooting and the ability to run domain controllers using virtualization technology.
4.

Is there any difference in Windows 2000 and 2003 group polices? Windows Server 2003 introduced numerous changes to the default settings that can be affected by Group Policy. You can see a detailed list of each available setting and which OS is

required to support it by downloading the Group Policy Settings Reference. 5. What is the role of DNS in Active Directory? Active Directory relies heavily on DNS (domain name system) to function, but not just any DNS. Active Directory is highly dependent on the Microsoft DNS service found on Windows server systems or equivalents. However, though not highly recommended, it is possible integrate a non-Microsoft DNS to use with Active Directory. Check out this article for a more detailed explanation of how DNS works.
6. When setting up a DNS server, can I give a DNS zone and

an Active Directory domain the same name? Not only can you, it's actually the preferred way to go if at all possible. You can install and configure DNS before installing Active Directory, or you can allow the Active Directory Installation Wizard (dcpromo) itself install DNS on your server in the background.

7. How do I design two domains with DNS and Active

Directory? For Windows Server 2003, your best bet is going to be the Deployment Kit, which is available online from Microsoft's website. The section on "Deploying Network Services" will assist you in designing and installing your DNS servers, and the section on "Designing and Deploying Directory and Security Services" will assist you with deploying Active Directory and configuring trust relationships. 8. Why is replication important to Active Directory? Replication is the process of sending update information for data that has changed in the directory to other domain controllers. It is key to the health and stability of an Active Directory environment, as without proper and timely replication, a domain will be unable to function effectively.

There are three main elements or components that are replicated between domain controllers: the domain partition replica, the global catalog and the schema. It is important to have a firm understanding of replication and how it takes place, both within the domain and in multiple-site environments. For a more detailed explanation of how replication works in AD, see our Active Directory replication guide.
9. Are there any security best practices for Active Directory

design? Layered security is the best method to use when planning and designing a security solution. This involves placing your valued assets at the center of your environment and building or deploying multiple concentric circles or rings of protection around those assets. Thus, violations to confidentiality, integrity, or availability must overcome numerous security restrictions, precautions and protections before being able to affect your assets. While Microsoft has increased the default security within Active Directory for Windows Server 2003 and 2008 installations, you still need to consider additional security settings after it is installed. This tutorial provides more security best practices for Active Directory.
10. What's new in Active Directory for Windows Server 2008?

Windows 2008 Active Directory includes several new features, including read-only domain controllers, new roles for Server Core and a restartable AD. 1)2008 is combination of vista and windows 2003r2. Some new services are introduced in it 1. RODC one new domain controller introduced in it [Read-only Domain controllers.] 2. WDS (windows deployment services) instead of RIS in 2003 server 3. shadow copy for each and every folders 4.boot sequence is changed 5.installation is 32 bit where as 2003 it is 16 as well as 32 bit, thats

why installation of 2008 is faster 6.services are known as role in it 7. Group policy editor is a separate option in ads

2) The main difference between 2003 and 2008 is Virtualization, management. 2008 has more inbuilt components and updated third party drivers Microsoft introduces new feature with 2k8 that is Hyper-V Windows Server 2008 introduces Hyper-V (V for Virtualization) but only on 64bit versions. More and more companies are seeing this as a way of reducing hardware costs by running several 'virtual' servers on one physical machine. If you like this exciting technology, make sure that you buy an edition of Windows Server 2008 that includes Hyper-V, then launch the Server Manger, add Roles.

3) In Windows Server 2008, Microsoft is introducing new features and technologies, some of which were not available in Windows Server 2003 with Service Pack 1 (SP1), that will help to reduce the power consumption of server and client operating systems, minimize environmental byproducts, and increase server efficiency. Microsoft Windows Server 2008 has been designed with energy efficiency in mind, to provide customers with ready and convenient access to a number of new power-saving features. It includes updated support for Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI) processor power management (PPM) features, including support for processor performance states (P-states) and processor idle sleep states on multiprocessor systems. These features simplify power management in Windows Server 2008 (WS08) and can be managed easily across servers and clients using Group Policies