Windows 2000 - Overview

Essay by AxanCollege, Undergraduate May 2004

download word file, 2 pages 3.0

Windows 2000 is an operating system developed by Microsoft and targeted for workstation and server computers. Windows 2000 comes in 4 different versions, professional, server, advanced server and datacenter server. Here is how Microsoft describes the different versions. (http://www.microsoft.com/windows2000/server/howtobuy/choosing/default.asp)

Product Benefits

Windows 2000 Professional Highest reliability to keep your business running

Enhanced security to protect your business data

Best support for mobile business computing

Best platform for next-generation business technology

Windows 2000 Server Best platform for file and print, Web server, and group mail.

Scales from 1 to 4 processors and up to 4 gigabytes.

Reliable and available--components tested through Microsoft's Windows Hardware Compatibility Labs (WHCL).

Windows 2000 Advanced Server Best platform for line-of-business and .com backend usage. Provides enhanced performance and scalability through SMP and extended memory support.

Scales from 1 to 8 processors and up to 8 gigabytes.

Enhanced reliability and availability--provides two-node clustering; 32-node network load balancing; components tested through WHCL.

Windows 2000 Datacenter Server Best platform for large-scale line-of-business and enterprise .com backend usage. Supports server consolidation and enhanced scalability.

Scales from 1 to 32 processors and up to 64 gigabytes.

Maximum reliability and availability--provides four-node clustering; 32-node network load balancing; systems tested through the Datacenter HCL.

As you can see windows 2000 is a very scalable operating system suitable for desktop computers as well as large network systems. Windows 2000 Professional version is suited desktop users, mobile computing and workstations, Server version is best suited for small file and print server and Advance and Datacenter Servers are designed to meet the needs of large networks. For more detailed information on features of each of windows 2000 versions you can consult Microsoft website at

www.microsoft.com/windows2000/server/evaluation/features/default.asp

When choosing an operating system some important factors to consider are reliability, security and performance. According to Microsoft Windows 2000...