Windows Server 2008 R2

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is Windows Server 2008 R2

A: Windows Server 2008 R2 builds on the award-winning foundation of Windows Server 2008, expanding existing technology and adding new innovations to enable customers to quickly save money and be more efficient today and more effective tomorrow. New virtualization capabilities including Live Migration, Web resources, management enhancements, and exciting Windows 7 integration help customers increase the reliability, flexibility and efficiency of their server infrastructures.

Q: What editions/versions of Windows Server 2008 R2 does ASI carry?

A: Windows Server 2008 R2 Standard (SKU# 84589) is an advanced server platform that provides more cost-effective and reliable support for business workloads. It offers innovative features for virtualization, power savings, and manageability and helps make it easier for mobile workers to access company resources.

Windows Server 2008 R2 Enterprise (SKU#s 84592 / 84593) is an advanced server platform that provides more cost-effective and reliable support for mission-critical workloads. It offers innovative features for virtualization, power savings, and manageability and helps make it easier for mobile workers to access company resources.
Windows Server 2008 R2 Datacenter (SKU# 84595 / 84596) is an advanced server platform that provides more cost-effective and reliable support for mission-critical workloads. It offers innovative features for virtualization, power savings, and manageability and helps make it easier for mobile workers to access company resources.
Windows Web Server 2008 R2 (SKU# 84594) is a powerful Web application and services platform. Featuring Internet Information Services (IIS) 7.5 and designed exclusively as an Internet-facing server, it offers improved administration and diagnostic tools to help reduce infrastructure costs when used with a variety of popular development platforms. With included Web Server and DNS Server roles, as well as improved reliability and scalability, this platform allows you to manage the most demanding environments — from a dedicated Web server to an entire Web server farm.

Q. Will Windows Server 2008 R2 only be available in 64-bit?

A. Yes. 64-bit processors have become the industry standard for systems ranging from the most scalable servers to desktop PCs. This shift has driven server standards forward, so the 64-bit processor is our focus.

Q. Do I have to upgrade to 64-bit CPU hardware to run Windows Server 2008 R2?

A. Yes.

Q. Can I run 32-bit applications on Windows Server 2008 R2?

A. Yes. Like Windows Server 2003 and Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2008 R2 will provide for 32-bit applications with Windows on Windows 64, or WOW64. Both 32-bit and 64-bit applications can run natively on x64 processors, with Windows Server managing the transitions – resulting in excellent performance for both. The end result is a platform that utilizes the existing wealth of 32-bit applications while also providing a smooth migration path to 64-bit computing.

Q. What will my upgrade experience be like moving from Windows Server 2008 to Windows Server 2008 R2?

A. The Microsoft Deployment Toolkit 2008 is the recommended process and toolset to automate desktop and server deployment. Microsoft Deployment Toolkit 2008 provides detailed guidance and job aids for every organizational role involved with large-scale deployment projects.

Q. What tools can customers use to determine if their applications or ISV applications will run on the new platform?

A. We have free testing tools and guides available at www.microsoft.com/windowsserver/appcompat to help IT professionals, corporate developers and ISVs test their applications on Windows Server 2008 R2. The “Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 Application Cookbook” outline the changes between the operating system versions and the Software Compatibility Toolkit has highly automated test tools that run 25 test cases for compatibility. Users will be able to determine if the application is compatible and potential issues.

Q. Does Windows Server 2008 R2 offer virtualization?

A. Yes. Hyper-V has become an integral part of the Windows Server platform in the Windows Server 2008 R2 release. Learn more about the exciting new features available with Hyper-V.

Q: What management improvements does Windows Server 2008 R2 provide?

A: Streamlined management is a key focus of Windows Server 2008 R2. Several management consoles have been updated with new tools and wizards, and many have been rebuilt to run on top of the newly updated PowerShell, including the new Active Directory Administration Center. For its part, PowerShell has been updated with rover 240 new cmdlets and the ability to administer servers remotely.

Q: What changes have there been in Windows Server 2008 Terminal Services?

A: With the Windows Server 2008 R2 release, Terminal Services has become Remote Desktop Services (RDS). In conjunction with the Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI), RDS offers new virtual application and desktop resources. Administrators can now roll out such resources to users more easily and dynamically; additionally, protocol improvements provide users with upgraded graphics, multimedia and network performance improvements and tight integration with Windows 7.

Q: How does Windows Server 2008 R2 support my Web applications?

A: Windows Server 2008 R2 builds on Windows Server 2008’s IIS 7.0 platform with the new IIS 7.5. The new web server continues its strong presence as a Web application server, now adding updated administration capabilities, enhanced support for PowerShell as well as support for PHP and ASP.NET on IIS servers running on Server Core. You can learn more by visiting the Web and Application Platform page.

Q: How does Windows Server 2008 R2 work with Windows 7?

A: Windows Server 2008 R2 and Windows 7 were developed in conjunction for an optimized “Better Together” experience. While Windows Server 2008 R2 can work with any Windows desktop operating system, working with Windows 7 provides numerous new and enhanced features and business benefits, including optimized mobile computing with DirectAccess, improved remote computing with BranchCache, and powerful new access to virtual resources that act identically to local resources via Remote Desktop Services. Learn more

Q: What applications work with Windows Server 2008 R2?

A: For a full run-down on Windows Server 2008 R2 application compatibility, links to the Windows Server Catalog and IT Pro testing tools, please visit the Application Compatibility for IT Professionals and Developers resource page.