Windows Server 2008 Roles And Its Description | Various Roles Of Windows Server 2008

In computing, a server is any combination of hardware or software designed to provide services to clients. When used alone, the term typically refers to a computer which may be running a server operating system, but is also used to refer to any software or dedicated hardware capable of providing services.

The word server is used quite broadly in information technology. Despite the many Server branded products available (such as Server editions of Hardware, Software and/or Operating Systems), in theory any computerised process that shares a resource to one or more client processes is a Server. 

To illustrate this, take the common example of File Sharing. While the existence of files on a machine does not classify it as a server, the mechanism which shares these files to clients by the operating system is the Server.

Windows Server 2008 is one of Microsoft Windows server line of operating systems. Released to manufacturing on February 4, 2008, and officially released on February 27, 2008, it is the successor to Windows Server 2003, released nearly five years earlier. A second release, named Windows Server 2008 R2, was released to manufacturing on July 22, 2009. Like Windows Vista and Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 is built on Windows NT 6.x.

Here is the list of various Roles Of Windows Server 2008 and its description:

1. Active Directory Certificate Services: Issues and manages security certificates needed in many applications.
2. Active Directory Domain Services: Sets up Active Directory service and creates a domain controller to store and manage directory information and logon processes (abbreviated AD DS).
3. Active Directory Federation Services: Provides single sign on (SSO) and customized client access for web-based and network applications
4. Active Directory Lightweight Directory Services: An alternative to AD DS for the storing of application data across a network.
5. Active Directory Rights Management Services: Provides licenses to identify users and give them specific rights to use information.
6. Application Server: Provides access and management services to .NET Framework and other web applications that clients with a license can use.
7. DHCP Server: Sets up the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol to assign IP addresses to clients on the network.
8. DNS Server: Sets up the Domain Name System to translate computer names and their domains to Internet Protocol (IP) addresses.
9. Fax Server: Provides for the sending and receiving of faxes and for management of faxing on a network.
10. File Services: Stores and manages files that can be accessed by clients.
11. Network Policy and Access Services: Installs the Network Policy Server that provides for Routing and Remote Access Services and the necessary security for that.
12. Print Services: Provides access to and management of network printers.
13. Terminal Services: Installs a service that allows a client to run an application on the server as if it were on that client computer.
14. UDDI Services: Provides for sharing information on an intranet using Universal Description, Discovery, and Integration (UDDI).
15. Web Server (IIS): Provides for the hosting of web pages and web applications.
16. Windows Deployment Services: Provides for the deployment of Windows operating systems over a network.