Pros and cons for Windows 2003 server

[champ]

Does anyone know a website with a list of pros and cons for windows 2003 server?

or could tell me a list of pros and cons.

Thanks

[fizban2]

Microsoft Server 2003 R2 homepage

here you go, lots of good info here

[andregcasal]

Pros and Cons i don't know, but i can tell you that i just finished reading a review in http://www.baboo.com.br/ that effectively compares XP Pro SP1 with Server 2003 Enterprise and Server 2003 wins in all benchmarks. Graphics, memory, HD, etc...

André Casal

[Thunderbolt 2864]

Didn't I hear that Server 2003 is more secure? I might be wrong....

Server 2003 is faster than XP, unless if you install DCPROMO, then it will take forever to load at the startup. And I use 2003 as a backup OS / Workstation, not a server. I use XP as my main OS.

[andregcasal]

Yes, Server 2003 has a better kernel and new security features, thus making Server 2003 better than XP in everything. Of course that if we are going to compare them we must do it in raw installations, with no software installed at all, no modifications or regtweaks. Conclusio? Server 2003 is better

[Delprat]

Of course that if we are going to compare them we must do it in raw installations, with no software installed at all, no modifications or regtweaks. Conclusio? Server 2003 is better

that's obvious : with no modifications, Server 2003 doesn't uses themes.

Instead of comparing XP/2003 "out of the box", we should copy XP settings on 2003 and 2003 settings on XP... Then differences will be very small.

But that's not important : better kernel or not, 2003 and XP does'nt focuses on the same goals

Edited May 21, 2006 by Delprat

[Thunderbolt 2864]

XP is a better OS for me. Doesn't need to much tweaking and can run more applications.

You can use themes in 2003, you need to enable them through the services, its been disabled by default.

[Scubar]

2003 has been better than XP in every aspect ive used it for, both as a server, workstation and desktop.

[JuMz]

2003 has been better than XP in every aspect ive used it for, both as a server, workstation and desktop.

Any problems running games? Direct3d or OpenGL?

[andregcasal]

Server 2003 is faster than XP in everything, graphics, memory managment, HD, really everything. It has a better kernel and is made for speed - servers need speed Benchmarks don't lie

[JuMz]

Server 2003 is faster than XP in everything, graphics, memory managment, HD, really everything. It has a better kernel and is made for speed - servers need speed Benchmarks don't lie

But don't we slow it down when we follow the guide of converting it to a workstation? It would be interesting to see benchmarks of Server 2003 converted to "XP Like" workstation VS. Server 2003 untouched VS. Xp byitself.

[andregcasal]

See things this way, Server 2003 is exacly Windows XP but more updated, more secure and with the workstation features turned off. By turning them on, you have a Windows XP Professional but with all the new and cool features from Server 2003

If you search a bit you'll find that all that's needed to transform Server 2003 into a Workstation is registry tweaks, so we don't actually add software nor install files or anything. Just turn on the workstation features

But it would be nice to see a definitive benchmark comparing Server 2003 Workstation to XP.

Edited May 24, 2006 by andregcasal

[JuMz]

If you search a bit you'll find that all that's needed to transform Server 2003 into a Workstation is registry tweaks, so we don't actually add software nor install files or anything. Just turn on the workstation features

What I mean to say is that we slow down the machine by enabling the themes service, audio service, full video acceleration, etc. All those things use up more ram / resources.

[jftuga]

One reason that I would pick 2003 over XP is volume shadow copy.

http://technet2.microsoft.com/windowsserve...DE91BA1033.mspx

-John

[Thunderbolt 2864]

I encountered some problems playing games with 2003. Though i used the latest updates and drivers the problem still persisted. Oh well, 2003 is a server OS, not a gaming OS, so I wouldn't expect it to run games.