In a Windows 2000 based enterprise network, you are deploying a new computer that will host a heavily used Microsoft SQL Server database for business critical applications. Which edition of the Windows 2000 operating system should you choose for this dedicated SQL Server machine to provide higher scalability and reliability than the basic server edition?

Introduction / Context:
Choosing the correct operating system edition for a heavily used SQL Server installation is an important design decision in any Windows based enterprise environment. Windows 2000 was released in several editions, each targeted at different workloads and hardware configurations. When planning a server that will host a busy SQL Server database, you need an edition that can support more memory, more processors, and clustering features, while remaining a realistic and typical choice in exam style scenarios.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The environment uses Windows 2000 operating systems.
• The new computer will run Microsoft SQL Server as a heavily used database server.
• The server is part of an enterprise level network, not a small peer to peer environment.
• You must choose among Windows 2000 Professional, Server, Advanced Server, Datacenter Server, and Small Business Server.
• Licensing and special hardware constraints for Datacenter Server are not the main focus of the question.

Concept / Approach:
Windows 2000 Professional is intended for desktop and workstation use, not as a back end database server. Windows 2000 Server is a general purpose server edition suitable for file, print, and modest application workloads. Windows 2000 Advanced Server is designed for larger applications and databases, supporting more memory, more processors, and clustering. Windows 2000 Datacenter Server targets extremely high end, highly specialized scenarios and often comes preinstalled by hardware vendors with strict requirements. In certification style questions, Advanced Server is usually the recommended answer for a heavily loaded SQL Server in an enterprise environment because it balances scalability with realistic deployment.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Eliminate Windows 2000 Professional because it is a client operating system and is not designed for large scale SQL Server hosting. Step 2: Consider Windows 2000 Server, which can host SQL Server but may not provide the higher limits on memory, processors, and clustering that a heavily used database might need. Step 3: Evaluate Windows 2000 Advanced Server, which supports larger amounts of RAM, more processors, and clustering features tailored for application and database servers. Step 4: Recognize that Windows 2000 Datacenter Server is aimed at very high end specialized scenarios and is less commonly the expected answer for a typical enterprise SQL Server exam question. Step 5: Choose Windows 2000 Advanced Server as the best match for a heavily used SQL Server in an enterprise environment.

Verification / Alternative check:
You can cross check this reasoning by reviewing documentation for Windows 2000 editions, which emphasises that Advanced Server is appropriate for line of business applications, large databases, and systems that may require clustering. In contrast, Professional is workstation focused, Server is general purpose, and Datacenter is specialized for very large hardware with unique licensing and vendor management.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option A, Windows 2000 Professional, is incorrect because it is intended for desktops and does not provide the scalability required for a heavily used enterprise database server. Option B, Windows 2000 Server, can host SQL Server but does not offer the enhanced scalability and clustering that Advanced Server was designed to provide. Option D, Windows 2000 Datacenter Server, is typically overkill in exam scenarios and usually tied to specialised hardware and usage patterns beyond the scope of normal enterprise deployments. Option E, Windows 2000 Small Business Server, is aimed at small organisations with integrated services and is not the typical choice for a dedicated heavily used SQL Server in a large enterprise.

Common Pitfalls:
A common mistake is to assume that the most powerful edition, such as Datacenter Server, is always the correct choice, ignoring cost, complexity, and realistic deployment practices. Another pitfall is believing that any server edition is adequate for large databases, without considering scalability limits. In exam questions, always match the edition to both workload and typical organisational size rather than simply picking the highest tier product.

Final Answer:
For a heavily used SQL Server in a Windows 2000 enterprise environment, the most appropriate choice is Windows 2000 Advanced Server..