Among all the many choices of hosting solutions available, OpenBSD is one of the most secure. The source code is freely available and has been continually audited by the OpenBSD auditing team since 1996. In eight years, there has been only ONE remote hole in the default install of OpenBSD. Binary emulation of many programs from Linux, FreeBSD, and several other Unix-like operating systems, is also supported under OpenBSD.

If security and robustness are important criteria in selecting a hosting platform, contact the knowledgeable Mikro-Data staff for more information about OpenBSD hosting.

FreeBSD, like OpenBSD, is an offshoot of the work done with Unix at the University of California at Berkeley. The emphasis during it's development was on cross-platform compatibility and maximizing utilization of system resources.

FreeBSD, much like Debian Linux, is a solid choice for a hosting platform.

For more information on FreeBSD solutions, contact the knowledgeable Mikro-Data staff.

For optimum uptime and reliability, Mikro-Data.net recommends Debian Linux for our dedicated server hosting packages.

Debian has been in existence since 1993 and provides a very stable and current hosting platform. By hosting your server on Debian Linux you will be able to stay current with the latest security updates very easily and quickly.

In fact, at Mikro-Data, we not only recommend Debian, we use it exclusively for our internal infrastructure and even maintain an in house mirror of the Debian package pools. So, when you have a problem, the staff at Mikro-Data is well prepared to help.

To read more about Debian GNU/Linux visit http://www.debian.org

For more information on Debian hosting solutions, contact the knowledgeable Mikro-Data staff.

Building on the solid Internet technologies delivered in Windows NT® Server 4.0, Windows 2000 Server provides a well-integrated package containing the application development environment, security, and scalability you need to get more out of existing applications. Plus you can build new and versatile solutions using the most complete set of Internet technologies available.

With Windows 2000 Server, you can:

• Use the Web to securely connect employees, customers, and suppliers—anywhere in the world.
• Build internal line-of-business applications that help your business run more efficiently.
• Share select information without compromising confidential data.
• Expand your network environment as your application needs evolve.

Integrated Web and Application Services
Active Server Pages (ASP), first introduced as a component of Windows NT Server 4.0, revolutionized the way Web content was served. This technology allowed organizations to create dynamic and highly personalized Web sites. The implementation of Active Server Pages in Windows 2000 Server is faster, more reliable, more scalable, and ready to run on high-end multi-processor hardware.

Windows 2000 also introduces new technologies that let you build richer Web applications and solutions, such as the next generation of the Microsoft Component Object Model, COM+. Developers using COM+ find it much easer to create and use software components, and benefit from a runtime environment and services that are easily used from any programming language or tool.

Another technology revolutionizing the Internet is the Extensible Markup Language (XML). XML enables easy integration of data from multiple sources, reduced network traffic, granular updates, and more meaningful searches. The Windows 2000 XML Parser is implemented as a COM component, providing a complete XML foundation for Windows DNA-based applications.

In addition, Windows 2000 includes integrated support for streaming media, which allows organizations to develop and distribute real-time presentations and rich multimedia content to both internal and external audiences. Imagine being able to send full screen video to your users’ desktops on demand, while providing CD-quality audio, digital rights management, and great integration with other application software.

Internet Scalability and Flexibility
When Windows NT was introduced, it provided something that was revolutionary in high-volume commercial operating systems: symmetric multi-processing (SMP) support. SMP meant that Windows NT could take equal advantage of multiple microprocessors on the same PC. Although microprocessors continue to get faster and faster, real scalability is achieved by adding more processors or by adding more PCs to a cluster—a process known as "scaling out."

Windows 2000 provides the technologies required to let your Internet applications grow without limitations. For example, it allows the most demanding high-end applications to use more computer memory. In addition, Windows 2000 Server supports four simultaneous processors, while Windows 2000 Advanced Server supports eight. Further, core parts of the operating system have been tuned to ensure that you get more than ever out of each processor. For example, Active Server Pages scales two to three times better on multiple processors than Windows NT 4.0 does.

Should your Internet site grow particularly large, services such as Network Load Balancing (NLB), which is part of Advanced Server, enable you to grow your Internet site by simply adding PCs. NLB then directs traffic on the site to spread it across the multiple machines without requiring you to learn whole new development techniques or re-engineer all of your applications.

Security
As businesses extend their networks beyond original boundaries, for example by adding extranets and Internet sites, they need to increase system security. In addition, employees typically store confidential information on laptops and other mobile computing devices, which may be lost or stolen. To help companies enhance their security to address new ways of using information, Windows 2000 provides end-to-end security. This means that organizations can integrate systems both inside and outside the corporate network boundaries, while providing complete access control and data protection. Security features include advanced techniques for identifying who is accessing the system, including the use of digital "keys" to access selected data, and a single ID that permits users to access not only their own computer, but also other shared resources (such as printers or files) on the corporate network, the Internet, or even a business partner’s network.

Windows 2000 Server provides comprehensive, standards-based security services, including flexible authentication, data encryption, flexible and secure network access, protection of virtual private networks (VPNs) using core Internet standards such as IP Security (IPSec), secure transaction processing, and security extensions for the development platform such as the CryptoAPI.

Conclusion
In summary, Windows 2000 Server provides the integrated Web and application development services, scalability, flexibility, and security services to allow organizations to extend their business to the Internet. With Windows 2000 Server, businesses can securely connect with their customers, partners, and employees—wherever Internet access is available. Businesses can use the Internet infrastructure to offer expanded and innovative applications, rich content, and secure access to information, products, and services.

There are two major changes that stand out in a web-hosting environment. The first is the inclusion of the .Net Framework, and the second is an update to Microsoft's web server, Internet Information Server 5.0 (IIS 5.0), to version 6.0. The .Net Framework is an entirely new software development platform which will dramatically change the way applications are developed and hosted. IIS 6.0 was re-architected from the ground up with performance, security, and stability in mind. There are literally thousands of other changes and improvements in the new version of Windows, all of which add functionality, improve security, or increase the stability and performance of the operating system.

The vast majority of applications that run on Windows 2000 will run fine on Windows Server 2003. Microsoft SQL Server 2000 runs great, as do most other Microsoft applications - with one notable exception. Microsoft Exchange Server 2000 will *not* run on Windows Server 2003. Microsoft will be releasing the next version of Exchange Server later this year, and this will be well suited for Windows Server 2003. If you have any custom applications, you should check with the vendor or your developers for compatibility.

IIS 6.0 is faster, more secure, more stable, and more scalable than any previous version of IIS, but IIS 6.0 is not available on any prior release of Windows. Almost anyone doing any type of web hosting on an older version of IIS will immediately see performance and stability improvements. IIS 6.0 will allow you to potentially host thousands more websites per server, and startup and shutdown times for IIS are dramatically faster. IIS 6.0 can serve static content up to 200% faster than IIS 5.0 and can better isolate your applications to keep the server healthy - even when an application misbehaves. The inclusion of the.Net Framework allows you to immediately take advantage of all of the benefits of Microsoft's newest development platforms and will run your.Net application code out of the box. It will also allow you to immediately begin developing applications which take advantage of XML web services.

There is also a FREE and EASY way to get started in developing applications that can take advantage of all the new features of your Windows 2003 webserver. ASP.NET Web Matrix is a community-supported, easy-to-use WYSIWYG application development tool for ASP.NET. It can be installed via a quick 1.3 MB download (about 5 minutes using a 56Kb modem). New features include: Access database support, J# support, design time enhancements including improved table editing and user-control rendering, many bug fixes, and much more! Best of all? It's absolutely free! Check it out!

Windows Server 2003 delivers four primary benefits:

Benefit	Description
Dependable	Windows Server 2003 is the fastest, most reliable, most secure Windows server operating system ever offered by Microsoft. Windows Server 2003 delivers dependability by: Providing an IT infrastructure that delivers fundamental value: improved reliability, better availability, and increased scalability. Including an application platform with built-in traditional application server functionality on top of extensive operating system capabilities. Integrating an information worker infrastructure that helps keep business information secure and accessible.
Productive	Windows Server 2003 provides the tools that simplify deployment, management, and administration and maximize productivity. Windows Server 2003 does this by: Providing flexible tools that help match your design and deployment to your organizational and network needs. Helping you manage your network proactively by enforcing policy, automating tasks, and simplifying updates. Helping you lower support overhead by letting users do more on their own.
Connected	Windows Server 2003 provides an extensible application platform for quickly building solutions that keep employees, partners, systems, and customers connected. Windows Server 2003 does this by: Providing an integrated Web server and streaming media server that helps you quickly, easily, and securely create dynamic intranet and Internet Web sites. Providing built-in services that help you easily develop, deploy, and manage XML Web services. Providing the tools that enable you to connect XML Web services to internal applications, suppliers, and partners.
Best Economics	When combined with products and services from the many Microsoft hardware, software, and channel partners, Windows Server 2003 provides the choices that help you get the greatest return on your infrastructure investments. Windows Server 2003 does this by: Providing ease-of-use and prescriptive guidance for complete solutions that enable you to quickly put technology to work. Helping you consolidate servers by taking advantage of the latest hardware, software, and methodologies to optimize your server deployments. Lowering your total cost of ownership (TCO) to realize a fast return on investment.

The Windows Server 2003 family includes the following products:

Product	Description
Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition	Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition, is designed for departmental and standard workloads and delivers the following benefits: Support for file and printer sharing. More secure Internet connectivity. Centralized desktop application deployment. For more information, see the Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition, Overview.
Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition	Built for mission-critical server workloads, Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition, is the platform of choice for applications, Web services, and infrastructure. Delivering high reliability, performance, and superior business value, Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition provides these benefits: A full-function server operating system that supports up to 8 processors. Enterprise-class features, such as eight-node clustering and support for up to 32 GB of memory. Support for Intel Itanium-based computers. Support for 64-bit computing platforms capable of supporting 8 processors and 64 GB of RAM with the 64-bit version. For more information about the 32-bit version, see the Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition, Overview. For more information about the 64-bit version, see Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition for 64-Bit Itanium-based Systems.
Windows Server 2003, Datacenter Edition	Windows Server 2003, Datacenter Edition, is built for the highest levels of scalability and reliability. Only this platform offers the Datacenter High Availability Program of support and services. Benefits of Windows Server 2003, Datacenter Edition, include: The most powerful and functional server operating system Microsoft has ever offered. Support for up to 32-way SMP and 64 GB of RAM with the 32-bit version. Support for up to 128-way machines with individual partitions of up to 64 processors and 512 GB of RAM with the 64-bit version. Both 8-node clustering and load balancing services as standard features. Windows System Resource Manager to facilitate consolidation and system management. For more information about the 32-bit version, see the Windows Server 2003, Datacenter Edition, Overview. For more information about the 64-bit version, see Windows Server 2003, Datacenter Edition for 64-Bit Itanium-based systems.
Windows Server 2003, Web Edition	A new product within the Windows operating systems, Windows Server 2003, Web Edition, offers dedicated Web serving and hosting as well as the following benefits: A platform for building and hosting Web applications, Web pages, and XML Web Services. A design intended for use primarily as an IIS 6.0 Web server. A platform for rapidly developing and deploying XML Web services and applications that use ASP.NET technology, a key part of the .NET Framework. Ease of deployment and management. For more information, see the Windows Server 2003, Web Edition, Overview.
Windows Small Business Server 2003	Windows Small Business Server 2003 provides a complete business server solution for small businesses. The integrated suite of server products enables companies to share information and resources safely and securely. Standard Edition will include Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition, Microsoft Windows SharePoint™ Services, Microsoft Exchange Server 2003, Microsoft Shared Fax Service. Premium Edition will include Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition, Microsoft Windows SharePoint Services, Microsoft Exchange Server 2003, Microsoft Shared Fax Service, Microsoft Internet Security and Acceleration (ISA) Server, Microsoft SQL Server™ 2000, and Microsoft Office FrontPage2003. The Release Candidate (RC) is now available, and you can order the Windows Small Business Server 2003 Preview Kit, which contains a preview version of Windows Small Business Server 2003, Standard Edition, for you to install and evaluate. For more information, see the Windows Small Business Server 2003 Overview.