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. Please ref: download.microsoft.com/download/F/2/1/F2146213-4AC0-4C50-B69A-12428FF0B077/Reviewers_Guide_Beta_update.doc 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 featurs. Read more: What is the difference between server 2003 and 2008 in the functions and services? | Answerbag http://www.answerbag.com/q_view/559903#ixzz1L85iXeNE

Windows Server 2008, formerly codenamed Longhorn, is no leas than 45 times faster than its predecessor, Windows Server 2003, in terms of network transfer speeds. Now whatever the perspective is on Microsoft's last 32-bit server operating system, the fact of the matter is that faster transfer speeds for of up to 45 times is quite an evolution compared to Windows Server 2003. Back in June 2007, Microsoft commissioned a study to the Tolly Group focused on the networking performances of its latest Windows client and server operating system, which ended up as the "Enhanced Network Performance with Microsoft Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008" whitepaper. The paper pointed to the fact that both Vista and Windows Server 2008 managed to offer "Dramatic network performance benefits". Read more: What is the difference between server 2003 and 2008 in the functions and services? | Answerbag http://www.answerbag.com/q_view/559903#ixzz1L87oclRg In Windows Server 2008, Active Directory has been renamed to Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS). AD DS retains the tools, architectural design, and structure that were introduced in Windows 2000 Server and Windows Server 2003, with some added improvements.

Below is a listing of some added improvements, along with links to further details:

AD DS: Restartable Active Directory Domain Services Windows Server 2008 introduces new capabilities to start or stop directory services running on a domain controller without having to shut it down, allowing administrators to perform maintenance (offline defragmentation, security updates, etc.) or recovery on the AD database without having to reboot into Directory Services Restore Mode. http://technet2.microsoft.com/windowsserver2008/en/library/caa05f49-210f-4f4c-b33f-c 8ad50a687101033.mspx

AD DS: Fine-Grained Password Policies

One very significant change with Windows Server 2008 AD DS is the ability to implement granular password polices in a single domain. Fine-grained password polices always take precedence over domain password policy and they can be applied to groups or users. For fine-grained password polices to be implemented, all DCs must be running Windows Server 2008 and the domain must be in Windows Server 2008 functional level. http://technet2.microsoft.com/windowsserver2008/en/library/2199dcf7-68fd-4315-87cc-a de35f8978ea1033.mspx

AD DS: Auditing In Windows 2000 Server and Windows Server 2003, Active Directory audit logs can show you who made changes to what object attributes, but the events do not display the old and new values. In Windows Server 2008 you can now set up AD DS auditing with a new audit subcategory (Directory Service Changes) to log old and new values when changes are made to objects and their attributes. http://technet2.microsoft.com/windowsserver2008/en/library/a9c25483-89e2-4202-881c-e a8e02b4b2a51033.mspx

AD DS: Read-Only Domain Controllers (RODC) Windows Server 2008 includes the ability to deploy domain controllers that host read-only partitions of the Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS) database. To deploy an RODC, at least one writable domain controller in the domain must be running Windows Server 2008. In addition, the functional level for the domain and

forest must be Windows Server 2003 or higher. http://technet2.microsoft.com/windowsserver2008/en/library/ea8d253e-0646-490c-93d3-b 78c5e1d9db71033.mspx

AD DS: Database Mounting Tool (Dsamain.exe) The Active Directory Database Mounting Tool (Dsamain.exe) is a command line tool that allows administrators to view snapshots of data within an AD DS database (it can also be used with AD Lightweight Directory Services databases). The tool can improve recovery processes for your organization, by providing means to compare data as it exists in snapshots or backups that are taken at different times, so that you can better decide which data to restore after data loss. This eliminates the need to restore multiple backups to compare the Active Directory data that they contain. http://technet2.microsoft.com/windowsserver2008/en/library/4503d762-0adf-494f-a08b-c f502ecb76021033.mspx Read more: What is the difference between server 2003 and 2008 in the functions and services? | Answerbag http://www.answerbag.com/q_view/559903#ixzz1L8BR0LsS