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Microsoft: A Trifecta of New Releases Offer Compelling New Capabilities

Everyone seems to know that Microsoft recently released the new Windows 7 operating system... but what you may not know is that along with that release, Microsoft also introduced new versions of Windows Server 2008 and Exchange Server. In fact, these new server products may bring even more to the table than the new and improved Windows 7.

Windows Server 2008R2

Windows Server 2008R2 could have been called Windows Server 2010... it’s almost entirely new. Yes, it is built on Windows Server 2008 platform, but there are many significant changes. Starting with the core OS, this is a 64-bit only system. Some of the significant improvements include:

• Active Directory Improvements (offline join, recycle bin, AD web services, power shell)
• Virtualization improvements ( Hyper V performance, Live migration, VDM )
• Performance Improvements (Power management)
• File Services (File Classification Infrastructure, Power shell)
• IIS (New version 7.5)
• Remote Desktop Services
• Branch Cache
• Direct Access

A couple of the more compelling new features are Branch Cache and Direct Access. Branch Cache allows users working in remote offices to cache data from central office servers and pull data locally from cache servers, or even other workstations running Windows 7. This potentially could greatly improve the user experience for remote users in branch offices. Direct Access allows remote users to securely access internal data and resources transparently while outside of the office without the need for a VPN. Furthermore, this can be a bidirectional connection allowing corporate servers to push data (updates etc.) to remote users without having to rely on those users to establish VPN connections. This could greatly alleviate the complexity of keeping your remote users connected and updated.

Perhaps one of the most beneficial updates to Windows Server 2008R2 is the changes to terminal services. In fact, TS is gone and replaced with Remote Desktop Services (RDS) and Remote App. Applications can be published on the Remote Desktop Server and pushed to remote Windows 7 clients through the use of Group Policy. Gone is the need to open up a desktop session and then start an application to access a program remotely. The Windows 7 user simply clicks on the program icon and it runs directly. While it still is a remote application, it appears to the user as a local application and the user is presented with a single (local) taskbar. This should greatly simplify the deployment of applications to remote users and serve to alleviate a lot of the confusion between local and remote desktop.

Keep in mind that many of the new features in Windows Server 2008R2 require the use of Windows7; and not just any version of Windows 7. Direct Access and Branch Cache only work with Windows 7 Enterprise or Ultimate versions. If you are considering the purchase of a new PC or notebook computer, we recommend purchasing Windows 7 Ultimate edition.

Exchange 2010

Exchange server 2007 server has been a great release of Microsoft’s communications and collaboration server. So how could 2010 be better? By taking the best of 2007 and building upon it.

Exchange server 2010 offers more options for redundancy and resiliency of mailboxes. Gone is the need for a server cluster to provide multiple mailbox locations. You can move, restore and manage mailboxes much more easily than before. You can move a mailbox from one server to another while the user is active. Placing mailbox servers in remote locations, you can provide redundancy for users.

Archiving is now built into the system. While not as comprehensive as some third-party services, having an option for archiving for compliance purposes is important.

From an administrative viewpoint, Exchange 2010’s improvements to the database structure are welcomed. The new database has been redesigned and greatly reduces or eliminates the defragmentation issues that we had with previous versions.

There have been numerous changes and improvements to Outlook Web App (formerly web access). Side-by-side calendar support, text messaging support, message filtering and other improvements make the web version of OWA more powerful. Look for additional capabilities when Microsoft releases the new Office 2010, which will include a new version of Outlook as well. This new version of Outlook (to be released next spring) was designed in conjunction with Exchange 2010.

One of the new features that will most likely become increasingly important is the ability to setup security templates within the server. You can build templates to protect sensitive data from being sent outside of the organization or simply to require manager approval before messages are delivered. With the ever increasing demand for information control and security, I’m sure these new capabilities will prove popular.

Dog Food Project

At ICS Support, we believe strongly in using, and in fact immersing our internal users in, new technology. In the next several weeks, we will be upgrading our internal infrastructure to incorporate all of these new products. I’ve personally been using Windows 7 for about 6 months now. Several of our users are already using Windows 7. We will be deploying a new Exchange 2010 server, two new 2008R2 servers for file services, Active Directory and remote access. We started to deploy a new Remote Desktop Server last week and will have users on it soon. Three new Hyper V servers... and more to come.

For more information and to explore the best options for your company, please give Chris Faist, Integrated Computer Systems Support, a call at 425-284-5410.