Windows Storage Server Advancements Bring Reduced IT Complexity to Windows Server System
Today at Microsoft® Tech·Ed, Microsoft Corp. introduced Windows® Storage Server 2003 as part of the recently branded Windows Server System (TM) . The product, formerly known as Windows Powered Network Attached Storage (NAS) and based on the Windows Server (TM) 2003 operating system, will be released to manufacturing in June and will be broadly available from a network of original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) in September.
Microsoft Windows Storage Server 2003 is a dedicated file server that offers a dependable and highly scalable storage solution that integrates seamlessly with existing information technology (IT) infrastructure to reduce total cost of ownership for customers. Windows Storage Server 2003 is easy to install and manage, and offers many features that simplify data storage, file serving and backup of mission-critical data.
Microsoft Windows Storage Server 2003 helps organizations of all sizes store and protect valuable data, from file servers in branch offices to fully integrated datacenters. Windows Storage Server 2003 offers a highly scalable solution ranging from 160 gigabytes to multiple terabytes. The product incorporates advanced features from Windows Server 2003 such as the ability to create an intelligent infrastructure for "shadow" copies (or copies of data from a specific point in time) of a single volume or multiple volumes using Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS), which provides a high-fidelity backup and recovery solution by restoring deleted or corrupted data within minutes. Other key availability features include Distributed File System (DFS), server clustering and Multipath Input/Output (I/O) technology. Windows Storage Server 2003 also will support the Windows Internet Small Computer System Interface (iSCSI) initiator, which provides an easy way to manage and incorporate a NAS device into an IP-based Storage Area Network (SAN).