Windows Storage Server 2003 R2 - Frequently Asked Questions

Published: September 10, 2003 | Updated: October 7, 2005

Q. What is Windows Storage Server 2003 R2?
A. Windows Storage Server 2003 R2 is a dedicated file and print server based on Windows technology that is designed for dependability, ease of integration, and value. This network storage product, previously referred to as Windows Powered Network Attached Storage (NAS), is the new release of the operating system used by original equipment manufacturer (OEM) partners to create NAS devices.

Q. Why was the name changed to Windows Storage Server 2003 R2?
A. The name was changed to reflect the integration of this product into the recently announced Windows Server System.

Q. What does the term "dedicated file and print server" mean?
A. A dedicated file and print server is a server built on Windows Server 2003 as a fixed function device. All of the functionality unrelated to file serving has been removed, increasing reliability and lowering the overhead on the machine CPU.

Q. Does this product replace my Windows Server 2003 machines?
A. Windows Storage Server 2003 R2 is a solution for consolidating your file serving functions on one device, replacing your general purpose servers that are dedicated to file serving.

Q. How is Windows Storage Server 2003 R2 different from Windows Server 2003?
A. Besides being dedicated exclusively to file serving, Windows Storage Server 2003 R2 contains some important features not available in Windows Server 2003. These features include an advanced storage manager for file filtering and quota management, a new Network File System (NFS) server to improve performance, and a fully integrated Web-based user interface for remote management. Windows Storage Server 2003 R2 also incorporates Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS) for point-in-time shadow copy capabilities, support for the enhanced version of distributed file system (DFS), and support for the Microsoft Internet Small Computer System Interface (iSCSI) Software Initiator.

Q. Does Windows Storage Server 2003 R2 require CALs?
A. No. Windows Storage Server does not require CALs. For additional information on use rights and requirements for Windows Storage Server, contact the manufacturer of the hardware that you acquired with Windows Storage Server 2003 R2.

Q. What are the differences between Windows Storage Server 2003 R2 and Windows Powered Network Attached Storage?
A. Windows Storage Server 2003 R2 has been designed for improved performance, better interoperability with storage area networks (SANs), and better scalability and failover capabilities. Other improvements include integrated point-in-time shadow copy capability and a more complete Web-based user interface. For more details, see Windows Storage Server 2003 R2 Features.

Q. Can devices based on Windows Storage Server 2003 R2 be used for tasks other than storage?
A. No, these devices are specifically designed to be file servers with large amounts of storage capacity. They cannot be used to deploy business applications such as Microsoft SQL Server or Microsoft Exchange Server. Backup, antivirus, and other applications typically used in a file serving environment are supported along with any embedded database functionality including SQL Server and/or MSDE.

Q. Does Windows Storage Server 2003 R2 work only with Windows-based clients and servers?
A. No, this product is designed to integrate seamlessly into heterogeneous environments with support for all major network operating system protocols including NFS (Unix/Linux), Netware (Novell), AppleTalk, and HTTP.

Q. Can Windows Storage Server 2003 R2 be managed using popular enterprise management utilities such as Systems Management Server, Tivoli, etc.?
A. Yes. Since this product is based on Windows Server 2003, all popular management frameworks can be used to manage devices built on Windows Storage Server 2003 R2.

Q. What level of Active Directory directory services integration is there with Windows Storage Server 2003 R2?
A. This product natively supports Active Directory, allowing devices to become full members of existing domains. In addition, existing group policies can be used to manage access to Windows Storage Server 2003 R2 devices, which is not true for devices using operating systems other than Windows. Note that this product cannot be a domain controller.

Q. How scalable is Windows Storage Server 2003 R2?
A. There are many different OEM models that are scalable through the addition of disk drawers to the main filer. Capacity varies from 320 gigabytes (GB) to over 60 terabytes. Multiple devices can also be added to the network to increase capacity as needed. The NTFS file system that powers Windows Storage Server 2003 R2 has no limits (over four billion tested) in terms of the number of files on a volume and each NTFS volume can be up to 256 terabytes in size (tested).

Q. Are devices built on Windows Storage Server 2003 R2 fully redundant?
A. The devices offered by OEM partners come in multiple configurations, from single disk devices to fully redundant hardware configurations at the storage failover level and the power supply and fans level. New features in Windows Storage Server 2003 R2 that can further increase redundancy are MultiPath IO (MPIO) and support for eight node clustering. Note that MPIO support depends on the OEM implementation.

Q. How does this product interact with Active Directory?
A. Windows Storage Server 2003 R2 can authenticate and use existing Active Directory group policies without the need for a dedicated server to manage the Active Directory service. This makes integration into existing environments easier for administrators and less costly to organisations.

Q. How is antivirus protection implemented on Windows Storage Server 2003 R2?
A. Windows Storage Server 2003 R2 can run all popular Windows antivirus applications to scan data on storage devices. There is no need for additional servers, and no performance impact due to extra workload.

Q. What are the high-availability features of Windows Storage Server 2003 R2?
A. This product integrates Volume Shadow Copy Services (VSS) as a standard feature and allows up to 512 point-in-time shadow copies of data per volume when integrated with applications for rapid file recovery due to accidental deletion or corruption. In addition, the Shadow Copies for Shared Folders feature (enabled by the in-box provider) provides 64 point-in-time copies, as well as end user restore capabilities.

Q. Other NAS devices have snapshots, so what makes the Windows Storage Server 2003 R2 Volume Shadow Copy Services feature different?
A. This makes possible up to 512 point-in-time shadow copies per volume, which is critical to manage a flexible shadow copy schedule, whether it be daily, weekly, or monthly. VSS is currently the only snapshot technology that can integrate with applications to ensure high-fidelity backups.

Q. Does Microsoft have a clear upgrade or migration strategy for this product?
A. Microsoft is committed to the storage market and so will ensure that Windows Storage Server 2003 R2 is supported into the future and will be compatible with future storage offerings from Microsoft.

Q. Does Windows Storage Server 2003 R2 support Internet Small Computer System Interface (iSCSI)?
A. Windows Storage Server 2003 R2 fully supports the iSCSI Software Initiator developed by Microsoft. OEM partners decide what connectivity and configuration options are best to offer to their customers.

Q. Who should be buying this solution?
A. This solution is recommended for organizations with multiple existing file servers that are experiencing growth in data requirements, or are looking to consolidate storage in one central area.

Q. How do I get support (including updates/upgrades such as feature packs and service packs) for Windows Storage Server 2003 R2?
A. Your NAS device manufacturer, also know as Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), installs, preconfigures, and may customize the Microsoft software for your specific system and is, therefore, the best resource for technical support and updates/upgrades.

Q. Can Microsoft Operations Manager (MOM) or Systems Management Server (SMS) components be run on Windows Storage Server 2003 R2 devices?
A. Any agent that can be run on Windows Server 2003 can be run on Windows Storage Server 2003 R2 (CA Unicenter, MOM, SMS, Tivoli, OpenView, etc.).