Guide to Networking in Windows Server 2008 and 2008R2 for IT Pros

In this article I have tried to provide all the important links to information about Windows networking technologies which will be helpful for Networking IT Pros, students and general users as well. The links of resources are organized in different sections according to their types.

Windows Server 2008 and Windows Server 2008 R2 resources

This section provides links to information about networking technologies that are documented in the Windows Server TechCenter Library, in the Windows Server® 2008 and Windows Server 2008 R2 Networking collection.

The Windows Server 2008 and Windows Server 2008 R2 Networking collection. Learn how to deploy a foundation network and related technologies with the Foundation Network Guides collection, available in HTML format in the Windows Server 2008 and Windows Server 2008 R2 Technical Library

Foundation Network Guides

The following guides are available in the Foundation Network Guides collection:

• Windows Server 2008 Foundation Network Guide: Learn how to deploy a foundation network with Active Directory Domain Services, Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP), and other network technologies.
• Deploying Server Certificates: Learn how to autoenroll server certificates to Network Access Protection (NPS) and Routing and Remote Access-based virtual private network (VPN) servers using Active Directory Certificate Services (AD CS) and Group Policy.
• Deploying Computer and User Certificates: Learn how to deploy client computer and user certificates with Active Directory Certificate Services (AD CS). When you deploy Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP) - Transport Level Security (TLS) or Protected EAP (PEAP) - TLS, certificates are required for the authentication of servers, clients, and users during network connection attempts through network access servers, such as 802.1X authenticating switches and wireless access points, virtual private network (VPN) servers, and computers running either Windows Server 2008 and Terminal Services Gateway (TS Gateway) or Windows Server 2008 R2 and Remote Desktop Gateway.
• Deploying 802.1X Authenticated Wired Access with PEAP-MS-CHAP v2: Learn how to deploy 802.1X authenticated wired access by using Protected Extensible Authentication Protocol-Microsoft Challenge Handshake Authentication Protocol version 2 (PEAP-MS-CHAP v2) for password based authentication.
• Deploying 802.1X Authenticated Wireless Access with PEAP-MS-CHAP v2: Learn how to deploy 802.1X authenticated wireless access by using Protected Extensible Authentication Protocol-Microsoft Challenge Handshake Authentication Protocol version 2 (PEAP-MS-CHAP v2).
• Deploying Group Policy by Using Membership Groups: This companion guide to the Foundation Network Guide provides instructions about how to deploy Group Policy objects (GPOs) to domain joined computers independent from the organizational unit hierarchy of the domain. Membership in a single membership group causes the correct GPO to be applied to the computer, with filters ensuring that a GPO for one version of Windows is not unintentionally applied to a different version.

All Foundation Network Guides are available for download at the Microsoft Download Center.

Information of new networking features of Windows Server 2008 R2

The Windows Server 2008 R2 and Windows 7 operating systems include networking enhancements that make it easier for users to get connected and stay connected regardless, of their location or type of network. These enhancements also enable IT professionals to meet the needs of their business in a secure, reliable, and flexible way.

You can find information about new networking features for Windows Server 2008 R2 and Windows 7 in What's New in Networking, in the Windows Server TechCenter Library. Following new features are covered:

• DirectAccess: It enables users to access an enterprise network without the extra step of initiating a virtual private network (VPN) connection.
• VPN Reconnect: It automatically reestablishes a VPN connection as soon as Internet connectivity is restored, saving users from reentering their credentials and re-creating the VPN connection.
• BranchCache: It enables updated content from file and Web servers on a wide area network (WAN) to be cached on computers at a local branch office, increasing application response time and reducing WAN traffic.
• URL-based Quality of Service (QoS): It enables you to assign a priority level to traffic based on the URL from which the traffic originates.
• Mobile broadband device support: It provides a driver-based model for devices that are used to access a mobile broadband network.

Additional resources

• You can download documents that cover a wide range of subjects at the Microsoft Download Center.
• Find information about a broad range of networking technologies by clicking here.
• Find information about Windows client operating systems at Windows Client TechCenter.