When a new operating system is released one of the first things people always look for is the new “nifty stuff.” Those things that you always wanted included with the previous version and often wondered why they weren’t. We’ve all at one time or another commented on why something wasn’t done this way or why can’t you do this with that. The “nifty stuff” is usually those new features and improvements that make the end-users experience and administrators’ lives easier. It’s the stuff everyone is always anxious to see and try when a new operating system is released.

When Microsoft releases a new operating system, it usually releases a slew of new exams, as well. Granted, you will already be familiar with many of the operating system features from previous versions of Windows, there will definitely be a few surprises. When it comes to studying for these exams, it’s generally a good idea to spend some time getting familiar with new operating system features.

Active Directory is one of those operating system components that include new features and enhancements from Windows 2000. A.D. is the core feature of Windows 2000 providing a central location to store information about objects within a network making it easier for administrators to manage and simpler for users to locate information. Some of the new features and improvements introduced in Windows Server 2003 A.D. are outlined below:

Cached Credentials: In the event that a Global Catalog server in unavailable users can still log on to a domain controller using cached credentials. This is great for those branch offices and remote locations connected to a global catalog server via a slow or unreliable connection.

Improved Replication and Synchronization: Windows Server 2003 provides administrators with more control over the information that is replicated and synchronized between domain controllers, both within a domain and between domains. Windows Server 2003 also includes WMI providers for monitoring and alerting administrators to problems with intra-domain replication and inter-domain trusts.

Saved queries: Administrators can now save Active Directory queries and export them in XML for future reference.

Cross Forest and Trust Management: Users can now enjoy the benefits of a single log on when accessing resources in other forests.

Schema: Classes and Attributes added to the schema can now be deactivated. This is useful if the schema administrator makes an error when adding information to the schema. The attribute or class that was incorrectly entered can be deactivated and the correct information entered.

Passport Integration: IIS 6.0 now supports passport integration mapping objects stored in Active Directory to their corresponding passports.