Through the new OS and other recent products such as Visual Studio 2005, the Web Platform supports high-volume Web sites, increases developer productivity and improves security, according to Brian Goldfarb, lead product manager for Web Platform and Tools at Microsoft. 64-bit computing support in the OS is a critical boon to the performance of Web applications, the company said.

Web development is boosted through inclusion of the ASP.Net 2.0 and .Net Framework 2.0 development technologies in the new OS, Goldfarb said. Previously, a separate download was required for these technologies.

Microsoft defines its Web Platform as containing ASP.Net 2.0 and Net Framework 2.0, along with Windows Server, Internet Information Services 6.0, and Windows SharePoint Services. The SQL Server 2005 database and Visual Studio 2005 also are part of the platform.

"Today, with the launch of Windows Server 2003 R2, we're taking another step forward in delivering on the Web Platform vision," Goldfarb said. The Web Platform is for applications such as e-commerce, business-to-business, intranet, and collaboration.

ASP.Net 2.0 is a component of .Net Framework 2.0. This combination offers increased developer productivity, improved performance and scalability, enhanced security and improved management and administration, Goldfarb said.