More than just an update to the original Windows Server 2008 release, Windows Server 2008 R2 is a completely new operating system, and it brings with it a host of changes and enhancements.

Not all OS improvements are created equal, however, and figuring out which new features are truly worth the upgrade can be a challenge. In this presentation, Microsoft MVP Greg Shields looks to simplify the process by breaking down the most interesting changes to Windows Server 2008 R2 that IT professionals will actually use.

Topics covered include:

• Comparing R2s: Windows 2003 vs. 2008
• Terminal Services grows up in R2
• Hyper-V’s new resiliency
• Inside the new DirectAccess, BranchCache and AppLocker features
• Power consumption under the covers