How reliable is Windows Server 2003 from Microsoft Perspective. Part4

Reliability Features and Results
This analysis, strategy and engineering process has led Microsoft to its most reliable platform ever:
Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition. The features of this product address the reliability needs that
Microsoft has discovered, and the product has delivered proven results that a make it the best product
for your most important applications.
Mission-Critical Capabilities
Instead of directly noticing the effects of an operating system, most users evaluate an IT system by the
performance of software on that operating system. A mission-critical application serves as a
cornerstone to an overall IT configuration in that an enterprise relies on such an application to continue
functioning. Common mission-critical applications include e-mail, databases and business applications.
When it comes right down to it, the job most people want to see an IT system do is function when
needed. If you are an employee, you want to be able to check your e-mail and respond to customers or
other members of your enterprise. If you are a customer, you want to be able to make purchases or
otherwise interact with the business. If these vital functions are not working, whether you are an
employee or a customer, you will most likely become frustrated—and that can lead to decreased
productivity or even the loss of a client.
Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition has several features aimed directly at increasing
the reliability of mission-critical systems.
Failover Clustering
In Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition, failover clustering allows you to add additional levels of
availability to critical services. When configured for failover, a group of servers offers services as a
single virtual server. If one of the physical servers fails, the others continue to provide that service until
you bring it back online.

The purpose of this feature is to enhance reliability by preventing downtime. Instead of a server failure
causing complete shutdown of your vital systems such as e-mail, databases, and business applications,
the other server or servers will pick up the workload for the failed server while repairs or other
corrections can be made.