For small and mid-sized businesses in the San Francisco Bay Area, San Jose, and select cities across the U.S., Progent's Microsoft Gold-certified professionals provide network support and IT consulting expertise for the complete line of MS .NET Enterprise Servers, Windows Server, and Microsoft line-of-business applications. Progent's set up, administration, technical assistance, and application programming services include network architecture, configuration, and migration.

Microsoft Windows Server 2003
Microsoft's Windows Server 2003 platform provides a robust, enterprise-class networking environment that brings significant enhancements over the earlier Windows 2000 Server. These new features take the next step ahead in strengthening the foundation of availability, scalability and protection introduced in Windows 2000, making Windows 2003 the most efficient, most reliable, and most secure Windows server platform yet.

The Microsoft Windows Server 2003 product line comprises four versions:

• Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition, is a reliable server operating system for the everyday requirements of companies of any size, providing the most efficient answer for file and peripheral sharing, secure Internet access, centralized desktop software deployment, and a powerful integrated network among workers, partners, and customers.
• Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition, is the OS of choice for big enterprises as well as small and medium-size companies to develop, deploy, and protect reliable applications, web-based commerce, and network architecture.
• Windows Server 2003, Datacenter Edition, is the operating system of choice for business-critical applications that require the highest degree of expandability and fault tolerance.
• Windows Server 2003, Web Edition, is designed for serving web pages, while retaining the core functions that provide enhanced reliability, manageability, and security.

• Active Directory performance and versatility is quicker and more dependable over unreliable WAN connections because of more efficient synchronization and replication as well as storing of credentials in remote office domain controllers.
• Enhancements to the Distributed File System and Encrypting File System (EFS) enable powerful, flexible file sharing and storage.
• Advanced Windows Management Instrumentation providers and command-line tools for server tasks offers administrators exceptional fine-grain control.
• To make storage and backup simpler, MS Windows Server 2003 incorporates the Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS), which offers time-specific copies of networked shares. Clients can easily recover older versions of their files through the Windows Explorer utility by right-clicking on a file or folder.
• Windows Server 2003 is ideal for hosting XML-based Web services thanks to built-in compatibility with Microsoft .NET and EXtensible Markup Language with the incorporation of the .NET Framework.
• Significant networking enhancements in Microsoft Windows Server 2003 include Internet Protocol version 6, Point-to-Point Protocol over Ethernet (PPoE), and Internet Protocol Security over Network Address Translation (NAT).
• Common Language Runtime safeguards networks from ill-intended or poorly designed code.
• Credential Management offers a safe store of user credentials, such as passwords and X.509 certificates. This provides a common sign-on experience for users, even roaming users.
• The Encrypting File System is the technique utilized to hold encrypted files on NTFS volumes. Encrypted files are simple to use as they look exactly like any other file: transparent to authorized users but unavailable to anyone else. The Encrypting File System is particularly beneficial for mobile clients who may work under a greater danger of PC theft.
• Advanced compatibility with VPN technologies, including a remote access server that supports both dial-up and VPN links, offering flexibility and security for remote access.
• 802.1x wireless network support offers protection and speed improvements for wireless local area networks (LANs). Among these are programmed key management and user authentication prior to LAN access. Fast recovery practically eliminates packet corruption and interruption over high-latency wireless links.
• Headless server provides the ability to integrate and administer a computer without a monitor, VGA display adaptor, keyboard, or mouse. Support for management controllers and management ports allows servers to be controlled even when a computer has died.
• Auto-configuration for multiple networks provides the mobile computer user seamless operations on both office and remote networks without having to manually redo TCP/IP settings.
• VoIP enhances Remote Assistance by enabling a voice session when the Remote Help Connection is initiated.

If you wish to get in touch with Progent about professional assistance for Windows Server networking, call 1-800-993-9400 or e-mail windows-server-help@progent.com.