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Windows NT Server
4.0, Enterprise Edition - Data Sheet
Windows NT Server has become the world's best selling server operating
system because of the excellent value it provides to end users, system and
network administrators, software and hardware developers, consulting and
channel partners, and many others. Enterprises are increasingly adopting
Windows NT Server for mission-critical applications and data. Because of
this, the need has grown for specialized capabilities that address
enterprise requirements for enhanced scalability, availability, and
manageability.
Microsoft is responding to this need with Windows NT Server, Enterprise
Edition—the newest member of the Windows NT Server family. It builds on
the strengths and broad functionality of Windows NT Server, extending
scalability, availability, and manageability. Windows NT Server,
Enterprise Edition also provides the best platform for building and
deploying large-scale distributed applications.
Together, all of the following new capabilities make Windows NT Server,
Enterprise Edition the easiest operating system for your largest and most
mission-critical enterprise servers:
- Cluster-ready operating system due to Microsoft Cluster Server
(MSCS). This feature, when used on a validated cluster configuration,
provides 2-node high-availability clusters on standard PC server
hardware
- Support for up to eight-processor symmetric multiprocessing (SMP)
servers for higher scalability. Support for larger SMP servers available
from selected system vendors.
- More application random access memory (RAM) improves performance by
increasing the amount of real memory available to memory-intensive
applications.
- Microsoft Message Queue Server, Enterprise Edition, provides assured
delivery of messages between applications running on multiple machines
across a network with unlimited concurrent users, intelligent routing,
and support for 3rd party gateways to IBM's MQ Series servers.
Windows NT Server, Enterprise Edition brings the higher scalability and
availability required of enterprise servers to the world's most popular
server operating system. In addition, the Windows NT Server platform
offers unparalleled flexibility and choice, significant IT lifecycle cost
savings, along with enterprise-class support options from Microsoft.
Cluster Ready for Higher Availability
Windows NT Server is a reliable operating system, thanks to built-in
features such as application isolation, disk mirroring, and file directory
journaling. Windows NT Server, Enterprise Edition builds on this reliable
platform with Microsoft Cluster Server. This feature lets you connect two
servers into a "cluster" for higher availability and easier manageability
of your server resources. Microsoft Cluster Server monitors the health of
standard applications and servers, and can automatically recover your
mission-critical data and applications from many common types of
failure—usually in under a minute. A graphical management console lets you
visually monitor the status of all resources in the cluster. You can even
use MSCS to move workload around within the cluster with simple
point-and-click actions. Use this capability to manually balance
processing loads, or to unload servers for planned maintenance without
taking important data and applications off-line. With Microsoft Cluster
Server, you deliver higher levels of service to your users while gaining
greater control over the management of your critical server resources.
Support for Larger SMP Servers
Windows NT Server is designed to deliver excellent scalability on
standard SMP servers from a variety of system vendors. It is licensed for
use on up to four-processor SMP servers. Windows NT Server, Enterprise
Edition is licensed for use on up to eight-processor SMP servers for even
higher scalability. Versions of Windows NT Server, Enterprise Edition for
even larger SMP servers are available from select system vendors. As more
eight-processor SMP servers for Windows NT Server, Enterprise Edition
enter the marketplace, they will become cost-effective standards for
enterprises that are consolidating workloads from smaller servers to
simplify their environments. Larger SMP servers running Windows NT Server,
Enterprise Edition will also represent a powerful upgrade path for
enterprise applications that are growing to handle more users and more
data.
Support for Larger, Memory-Intensive Applications
Windows NT Server was designed to support servers with up to four
gigabytes (GB) of RAM. As the price of RAM continues to fall, it has now
become cost effective to run large, memory-intensive applications on
servers with multiple gigabytes of RAM. To support this need, Windows NT
Server, Enterprise Edition includes a feature for 4 GB RAM Tuning (4GT).
This new capability allows memory-intensive applications running on
Windows NT Server, Enterprise Edition to utilize up to 50% more RAM on
32-bit Intel architecture servers. 4GT does this by reducing the potential
RAM allocated to the Windows NT kernel from 2 GB to 1 GB, and increasing
the potential RAM allocated to applications from 2 GB to 3 GB. The result
can dramatically improve performance for applications, such as decision
support or data mining.
A Platform for Developing Reliable Distributed Applications
Corporate and professional developers will find that Windows NT Server,
Enterprise Edition is an ideal platform for creating enterprise-class
distributed applications. It includes all the strengths of today's Windows
NT Server—a secure, robust environment containing a rich array of
distributed computing services accessible through familiar, standard APIs,
and supported by a wealth of visual development tools. Building on this,
Windows NT Server, Enterprise Edition includes Microsoft's newest
distributed application tool—Microsoft Message Queue Server, Enterprise
Edition.
Microsoft Message Queue Server (MSMQ) is store-and-forward middleware
that provides assured delivery of messages between applications running on
multiple machines across a network. A Enterprise version of MSMQ is
included with Windows NT Server, Enterprise Edition, offers no limits on
concurrent users, automatic least-cost routing, plus the ability to
connect to IBM MQSeries and other messaging systems through optional
gateways from Level 8 Systems. Microsoft Message Queue Server is an ideal
environment for building large-scale distributed applications that
encompass mobile systems or communicate across occasionally unreliable
networks.
Built on the Windows NT Server Platform
Windows NT Server, Enterprise Edition builds on the foundation of
Windows NT Server, the world's most successful server operating system.
Windows NT Server is a multipurpose server operating system, built on a
reliable, secure, microkernel architecture. It has become the best
selling, fastest growing server operating system because of three key
strengths:
- Integrated—NT Server is designed to work with your existing
investment in IT. The Windows NT Directory Service provides a single
network logon to all servers and applications, centralized
administration of user accounts, and replication to ensure no single
point of failure for network authentication. In addition, Windows NT
Server has built-in support for all of the most important networking and
UNIX standards, including Internet/intranet protocols like TCP/IP, HTTP,
and DNS. The optional Microsoft SNA Server application extends
integration to IBM mainframes and AS/400 environments. And, of course,
because it's from Microsoft, Windows NT Server shares the same user
interface, management tools, and developer environment as your 32-bit
Windows®-based desktops.
- Comprehensive—Everything you need to support the server tier
of your information technology is built in. Windows NT Server includes
fast file/print services. It offers a complete suite of communications
services, such as remote access and multprotocol routing. It's ready
with Internet/intranet services including Web, FTP, Gopher, content
indexing, and site management. In addition, Windows NT Server is an
excellent distributed applications platform with the inclusion of
Microsoft Transaction Server (MTS) and Microsoft Message Queue Server
(MSMQ). MTS is component-based application platform for quickly building
scalable, manageable distributed-transaction applications. A limited
version of MSMQ will be a standard feature of Windows NT Server with the
release of IIS 4.0.
- Easy—Ease of use starts with fast installation and
configuration, and continues with a complete suite of graphical,
remoteable management tools. Windows NT Server is designed to increase
the productivity of users, administrators, and developers by adhering to
all of the familiar Windows interface, usage, and development standards.
By design, it is the easiest server operating system for your most
demanding business needs.
Windows NT Server,
Enterprise Edition Technical Features
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Description
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Microsoft
Cluster Server (MSCS)
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· When run on a validated configuration, MSCS
provides automatic recovery from server and application
failures. It also lets you do "rolling upgrades" on your servers,
performing standard maintenance without taking important data and
applications offline.
· Manage
clusters through a graphical administration console that treats all
the servers in a cluster as a single environment. Use the cluster
administration console to monitor the status of your server
applications, and move workload around to balance loads.
· A standard set of clustering services that are
available on clusters from many different hardware vendors. No
hardware vendor lock-in for your investment in cluster-enabled
applications and training.
· Microsoft
Cluster Server includes a standard, cross-platform API for
developing and supporting cluster-aware applications. Use the
cluster API to create applications that are: more reliable, easier
to install, recover from failures more rapidly, easier to manage,
and able to upgrade without downtime.
· Also use the MSCS APIs to create
scalable, cluster-aware applications that can automatically balance
loads across multiple servers within the cluster. Microsoft Cluster
Server is architected to support advanced "shared nothing"
applications that can scale smoothly across large numbers of
servers.
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Microsoft
Message Queue Server, Enterprise Edition (MSMQ) with unlimited
number of concurrent users
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· MSMQ is the foundation for distributed
applications you can depend on. It provides reliable delivery of
messages and data across your network, even if the network and
servers are occasionally unavailable or unreliable.
· Managing applications based on MSMQ is
dramatically easier than older store-and-forward middleware. Queues
are managed through an integrated directory, permitting rapid and
flexible re-configuration of your distributed environment even while
applications are running.
· Automatic
least-cost routing chooses the best route for message delivery, and
intelligent rerouting automatically routes around unavailable
network segments for fast, assured delivery.
· MSMQ provides a rich variety of delivery
capabilities, from efficient fire-and-forget, to the most reliable
levels requiring absolute confirmation of message and delivery
status.
· Connect MSMQ
applications to message queues managed by legacy systems, such
as IBM MQSeries, via optional gateways from Level 8
Systems.
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4 GB RAM
tuning
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· Standard Windows NT Server applications can
now access up to 3 GB of RAM, a 50% increase over standard Windows
NT Server's 2 GB limit. This can provide excellent performance for
data warehouse and decision support applications that do massive
amounts of "slicing and dicing."
·
Well-architected multithreaded applications written with standard
Win32® API can smoothly scale by simply increasing the amount of
RAM—all the way up to 3 GB—and the number of processors in SMP
servers.
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Up to eight-way
SMP server
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· Scales smoothly from uniprocessors up to
eight-way SMP servers, and across servers from dozens of vendors—all
with no change to your investment in training, data, and
applications.
· Windows NT Server,
Enterprise Edition offers a unique ability to simplify corporate
data centers by consolidating server workloads on a fewer number of
larger servers because it runs on large "super servers" with up to
eight-way SMP.
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Windows NT Server
Technical Features
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Description
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Microsoft
Transaction Server (MTS)
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· MTS provides component-based transaction
middleware—similar to a TP Monitor, but easier to use and easier to
integrate with Windows-based desktops. When distributed applications
are based on MTS, your important inventory and financial records
stay consistent across all locations, even when processing
transactions from multiple locations and multiple time zones.
· MTS provides component-based
access to distributed transaction services, while automatically
managing security and threading for you. Your applications are built
quickly, and scale smoothly.
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Microsoft
Message Queue Server, Standard Edition(MSMQ)
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· A limited version of MSMQ is part of Windows
NT Server, Standard Edition. This version has a limit on the number
of concurrent users.
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Windows 95 User
Interface (UI)
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· The Windows 95 UI is integrated with
Windows NT Server 4.0, making the server interface easier to use and
consistent with Windows 95 and Windows NT Workstation 4.0 operating
systems. Universal Inbox for access to all information sources via
Messaging API (MAPI).
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Administrative
Wizards
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· Administrative wizards group the common server
management tools into a single place and walk you through the steps
required for each task. Windows NT Server 4.0 includes the following
Wizards: Add User Accounts, Group Management, Managing File and
Folder Access, Add Printer, Add/Remove Programs, Install New Modem,
Network Client Administrator, and License.
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Task
Manager
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· Provides detailed information on each
application and process running on the system, as well as graphical
memory and CPU usage readouts for easy status checking at a
glance.
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Network
Monitor
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· Examines network traffic to and from the
server at the packet-level and captures that information for later
analysis.
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Microsoft
Internet Information Server (IIS)
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· IIS is integrated with Windows NT
Server 4.0 and offers:
-The fastest Web server on Windows NT
Server
-World Wide Web, Gopher, and FTP services
-Internet
Service Manager
-Internet Database Connector
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Microsoft
Internet Explorer
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· Embraces existing HTML standards, while
advancing HTML with new improvements like online video, backgrounds,
Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) support, and support for Internet
shopping applications.
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Microsoft
FrontPage®
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· Enables non-programmers and experienced
developers alike to create and manage professional-quality Web
sites.
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Microsoft Index
Server
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· Helps users find information on distributed
servers within their corporate intranet.
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Distributed
Component Object Model (DCOM)
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· Allows DCOM-enabled applications to share
components across networks—including the Internet.
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Remote Access
Service Multilink Channel Aggregation
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· Enables clients dialing into Windows NT Server
4.0 to combine all available dial-up lines providing increased
bandwidth.
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Point-to-Point
Tunneling Protocol (PPTP)
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· PPTP enables users to easily extend secure
private networks across the Internet.
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MultiProtocol
Router (MPR)
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· Eliminates the need for a dedicated routers by
enabling small- and medium-sized sites to deploy Windows NT Server
4.0 as a low-cost LAN-LAN routing solution. Provides LAN-LAN routing
for IPX/SPX, TCP/IP, and AppleTalk.
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Telephony
Application Programming Interface (TAPI) and
Unimodem
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· Provides the technologies required by fax
applications; the Windows Messaging Subsystem (Microsoft Exchange
Client); MSN™, The Microsoft Network online service; and Microsoft
Internet Explorer.
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Domain Name
System (DNS) Server Integration with Windows Internet Name Service
(WINS)
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· Allows access to resources on the network or
over the Internet using DNS names. DNS features include:
-A graphical administration utility
-Interoperability with
the notify protocol
-Reverse Windows NT Server 4.0
referrals
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Scalability
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· Supports as many as 5,000 concurrent database
clients and databases of 100 GB or more.
· Provides for transaction rates of more than
12,000 TPC-Cs for less than $500,000.
· Supports more than 3,000 applications today
with 4,000 expected within the next 12 months.
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Windows 95
Remote Program Load (RPL)
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· Boots Windows 95-based diskless clients
from a server running Windows NT Server 4.0.
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Policy-Desktop
Configuration
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· Controls desktop configurations giving a
common desktop look and functionality across
workstations
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Cryptography
APIs
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· Allows developers to create custom encryption
solutions.
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Minimum requirements for a single server to run Windows NT Server,
Enterprise Edition are:
- Pentium 90 MHz or higher processor for Intel or compatible systems.*
- System with Alpha processor for RISC systems.*
- 64 MB of memory (RAM).
- 500 MB of available hard disk space.
- Microsoft SQL Server® 6.5 required to run Microsoft Message Queue
Server.
- VGA, Super VGA, or video graphics adapter compatible with Windows NT
Server 4.0.
- CD-ROM drive.
- Microsoft Mouse or compatible pointing device.
*See your reseller for a list of compatible systems and peripherals.
Note The retail version of Windows NT Server 4.0 supports up to
eight microprocessors out of the box. Support for a higher number of
processors is available from your hardware vendor.
Networking
Options:
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Clients
supported:
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Microsoft Windows
NT Server 4.0 works with the following:
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Microsoft LAN
Manager
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Windows
3.x
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Macintosh-based
systems
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Windows for
Workgroups
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DEC
PATHWORKS
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Windows
95
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Banyan
VINES
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Windows NT
Workstation
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IBM LAN
Server
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Apple
Macintosh
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IBM SNA
networks
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MS-DOS®
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The
Internet
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OS/2
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NFS
networks
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UNIX**
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Novell NetWare
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RAS by way of ISDN,
X.25, and standard phone lines
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TCP/IP networks
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**Requires ODBC client software from
Visigenic Software, San Mateo, California.
Flexible Licensing Options
Microsoft offers flexible, cost-effective options for licensing
Microsoft Windows NT Server, Enterprise Edition 4.0 and other of the
Microsoft BackOffice™ family of products. Purchase a Server License for
the product and a Client Access License for each client computer,
including those running Windows for Workgroups, Windows NT Workstation,
and Windows 95, that accesses the product. A Client Access License allows
a computer to access the product on any server on the network. Since usage
patterns vary, a concurrent use option is also available. This licensing
model lets you get exactly what you need for your business requirements,
and new graphical license management tools make the option you choose easy
to administer.
Windows NT Server, Enterprise Edition 4.0
A Windows NT Server Client Access License is required for each client
computer accessing Windows NT Server to share files and printers, connect
remotely via the built-in Remote Access Service, use Services for
Macintosh, send or receive messages from Microsoft Message Queue Server or
invoke component-based applications managed by Microsoft Transaction
Server. The use of those services requires a Windows NT Server 4.0 Client
Access License. You do not need a Client Access License to access or
otherwise utilize the services of Microsoft Cluster Server. Windows NT
Server Client Access Licenses are sold in single- and 20-packs, so you can
purchase exactly what your business needs.
Mission Critical Support and Service
In addition to industry-specific support and development assistance
from a worldwide network of Microsoft Solution Providers, Microsoft offers
fee-based, *** mission-critical support—including "server down" and
24-hour-a-day, 7-day-a-week assistance. Authorized Support Centers are
staffed by technicians specially trained and certified to support
Microsoft products in a multivendor environment. As a result, you get the
most-supported software and server products in the industry.
Windows NT Server, Enterprise Edition 4.0
For use on a single server, Microsoft Windows NT Server,
Enterprise Edition will be eligible for Microsoft support when run on a
server from the Windows NT Server, Enterprise Edition Hardware
Compatibility List. For highest levels of reliability when used on a
single server, Microsoft recommends servers that have achieved the
BackOffice Logo. A current list of servers validated with the BackOffice
Logo can be found at
http://www.microsoft.com/isapi/hwtest/backoffice/hard.idc.
For use on a 2-server cluster, Windows NT Server, Enterprise
Edition will be eligible for Microsoft support when run on a cluster
configuration from the Microsoft Cluster Server Hardware Compatibility
List.
For more information
To receive additional information about Windows NT Server, Enterprise
Edition 4.0 on the World Wide Web, go to http://www.microsoft.com/NTServer
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