Server Classes and Operating System Editions

Servers perform a huge variety of tasks and combinations of tasks, resulting in many configurations. To specify requirements in a meaningful way, this guide first defines a basic set of requirements for a generic (or basic) server platform. This guide then provides additional recommendations and requirements for the server usage models described here:

• Basic server. This server can be used in any environment. This server is described by a set of requirements and recommendations that seek to define a well-rounded, general-purpose server platform used solely as a server. Such a server can be used in small businesses or for a variety of uses in larger businesses, ranging from departmental use to clustered applications in the enterprise. Administration can be local or remote.

This server’s baseline capabilities include high availability, serviceability, scalability, ease of use, and ease of administration. This platform and its requirements are used as a basis for other types of servers defined by this guideline.

• Small office/home office (SOHO) server. Although it can be used in any environment, this server platform has features that increase its ease of use and deployment in small businesses, which usually do not have great experience using and deploying server systems. This general-purpose platform handles file, print, and client-server application requirements. This server must have a broad set of attributes to handle all typical server tasks in a limited environment. Quick recovery is required, because downtime will immediately impact the small office’s ability to conduct business.

The system must be easy to set up and manage from a remote location, such as the headquarters for a value-added retailer (VAR), or directly by the server owner, who have little or no computer knowledge. To increase ease of use and availability, the system should be capable of exploiting the reliability features of Windows NT, such as disk mirroring and clustering. The system should have low entry costs and low recurring costs, because cost is often a driving issue in SOHO environments.

The SOHO server has additional requirements driven by the usage and deployment model for this platform. The SOHO server could also serve as a client workstation, while simultaneously performing its normal role as a server. This dual usage imposes additional requirements for power management and configuration.

• Enterprise server. This server can also be used in any environment, but is frequently deployed as the building block for a large organization where it often performs special-purpose tasks, such as handling and routing e-mail, or storing financial data. Because this server is an indispensable part of the organization, it must be highly available. Therefore, software and hardware mechanisms must be in place to eliminate unplanned downtime.

The Microsoft Windows NT Server operating system is available in three editions:

• Windows NT Server: Provides integrated networking, application, and communications services plus Microsoft Internet Information Server, Index Server, message queuing, and transaction processing.
  
  
• Windows NT Server/Enterprise Edition: Extends the scalability, interoperability, availability, and manageability of Windows NT Server to provide solutions for large, mission-critical servers in the enterprise.
  
  
• Microsoft BackOffice Small Business Server: Provides small businesses with essential tools, including file and printer sharing, business-critical applications, e-mail and scheduling, and support for Internet and communications services such as Internet, remote access, and fax.