Microsoft Technology Advantage ForumDeploying Windows Server 2003: MTAF Windows Server 2003, Tectura

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Microsoft Windows Server 2003
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Partner Experience
Steve Bunda - Tectura Consultant -
Bellevue, WA
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Partner Experience - Agenda

• Windows Server 2003 Partner Perspective
• Deployment Scenarios
• Product Validation
• Lessons Learned / Recommendations
• Business Drivers

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Partner Perspective - TECTURA and Microsoft

• TECTURA
• Microsoft Gold Partner
• Seattle Alliance
• Microsoft Sales Team
• MCS
• JDP/RDP/TAP

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Partner Perspective JDP/RDP/TAP

• Program Goals
• Recognize Business Size
• Understand Environment Issues
• Provide Partner Readiness
• Evaluate Ease of Deployment
• Deliver Security
• Establish Business Value
• Validate Windows Server 2003

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Deployment Scenarios - Product Validation

• Evaluate Product Deployment Procedures
• Identify Issues
• Document upgrade process
• Improve customer satisfaction and perception
• Provide PR, Case Study, and Marketing
  opportunities when appropriate

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Deployment Scenarios - Challenges

• SMB Environment
• Staging or testing environment?
• No rigid service pack and patch deployment
  procedures
• NT4 very prevalent
• IT budgets small or shrinking
• NT4 and W2K servers targeted

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Deployment Scenarios Most Frequent

• Terminal Server
• LOB Application
• Branch Office
• Replace legacy configuration
• Web Server
• NT4.0 WS03 Active Directory Migration

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Deployment Scenarios - continued

• Microsoft Remote Access Server
• Microsoft Internet Security Acceleration Server
• Application Server
• File Print with Volume Shadow Copy

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Product Validation

• Some customers participated in because of the
  opportunity
• Some customers participated for strategic reasons
• Reduced network complexity
• Most installations went very smoothly

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Product Validation The Results

• Web and App Server
• Faster
• More Secure
• Fits into .NET Application strategy
• Terminal Server
• Faster
• Easier
• Printer Redirection (Branch Offices, LOB App)
• Remote Access Server
• Much Faster
• More Secure
• NT4 Domain Upgrade
• Increased functionality for network
  administrators
• Group Policy and RSoP
• Knowledge Transfer during the process

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Lessons Learned

• Hardware is a concern
• CDONTS.dll Issue
• Mail object removed in WS03
• No Documentation
• Unpatched Servers Caused Problems or Delays
• Training
• Infrastructure Compatibility
• Software (e.g. Apps, Backup, AV)
• Legacy Client OS
• DHCP (Dynamic Updates, Wizard)
• Application Testing
• Network Attached Storage
• Invest time in planning for DNS
• MS delivered Security
• Great Plains FRx 6.5 issue

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Recommendations

• NT4 Customers should plan for direct jump to WS03
• Evaluate current server hardware
• Hardware Vendors (e.g. COMPAQ, DELL, IBM) have
  caveats
• Consider server consolidation
• Consider internal hosting of Internet servers
• Be aware of the CDONTS issue
• Resolve existing issues before migration
• Clear out legacy protocols
• Be aware of tighter default security
• Terminal Server enhancements should be evaluated,
  especially for remote offices.
• Address client strategy (e.g. legacy issues, XP
  enhancements)
• Group Policy administrators can benefit from WS03
• Testing
• Lay the groundwork now for future enhancements
  and deployments
• End User education (e.g. Volume Shadowcopy
  Service)

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WS03 Business Drivers

• Microsoft Exchange 2003
• Feature Set, Lower TCO
• IIS6
• Speed, Security
• Terminal Services
• Printer Redirection
• Branch Office / LOB Apps
• WS03 Feature Set
• Security
• Active Directory Powerful Management

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TECTURA Focused on Microsoft Technologies

• Infrastructure
• Windows Server 2003 Deployment
• Active Directory Migration
• Exchange
• Microsoft Development
• .NET
• BizTalk
• Commerce Server
• Microsoft Business Solutions
• Axapta
• Great Plains
• Microsoft CRM
• Business Intelligence

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www.tectura.com Steve Bunda Email
sbunda_at_tectura.com Office 425.957.4258