Windows Small Business Server

The Microsoft corporation announced the preliminary version of new edition Windows platforms of Small Business Server known under the code name "Aurora".

According to the producer, Aurora is ideal for a role of "the first server" for the small enterprises with the number of users less than 25 people. In addition to quite traditional means of backup and data recovery, management of the identification information ID and safety, the platform it can be used for the organization of shared access to files and printers and also providing to the staff of the enterprise of remote access to resources of corporate network via the web browser. Microsoft developers poetically call the product Aurora "the bridge in clouds", hinting at its close compatibility with online services, such as Microsoft's Business Productivity Online Suite.

Aurora is delivered complete with tools of the developer which will allow Microsoft partners to provide closer integration of own services with the new platform. Detailed reference materials will help developers to master available API interfaces and will simplify creation of add-on modules for the Aurora server. Templates for the Visual Studio 2008 which can form the basis of future additions will also be at disposal of corporate IT specialists. These add-ons will allow to expand initial functionality of the platform and will allow to estimate advantages of the user interface Launchpad provided to Vail.

SBS 7

Such products as the server of message exchange and collective work of Microsoft Exchange Server 2010 SP1, the Microsoft SharePoint Foundation 2010 web portal and service of automatic update Windows Software Update Services are a part of SBS 7.

SBS 7 developers note the improved tools for management and security in the new platform. Work with files and printing is improved. Especially for the small organizations SBS 7 offers the most convenient means for the fast organization of access to e-mail and in the Internet.

Important component of the SBS 7 platform is the single console for centralized operation by the server and the client systems. Users can configure automatic backup of data, keep track of the status of updates for client antiviruses and security systems. Also users can independently manage operation of the firewall. The SBS 7 platform supports installation of the program superstructures supplementing functionality of the server. These program superstructures will allow Microsoft partners to propose to customers individually adapted ready-made solutions meeting specific needs of each client for the small organization.

The SBS 7 server is integrated with a set of office applications Microsoft Office, offering the staff of small enterprises an opportunity of remote access to documents via web applications of Office Web Apps. The packet of SBS 7 has restriction – it is possible to connect no more than 75 client licenses of access of CAL (Client Access License) to it.

Windows Small Business Server 2011 Essentials (Aurora)

The products SBS 2011 Standard and Essentials are constructed based on the Windows Server platform 2008 R2 and addressed to representatives of small business. When choosing the most appropriate solution clients are offered to be guided by the number of available computers or users and also a necessary set of network functions. So, the version of Windows Home Server supports up to 10 personal computers, the maximum number of users of Windows SBS 2011 Essentials is 25 people, and Windows SBS 2011 Standard allows to organize access to the server for 75 users or devices. Products also differ from each other in licensing methods.

The version of SBS 2011 Essentials earlier known under the code name Aurora will be the optimal choice for the enterprises interested in use of on-line applications and Microsoft services. A product are automatically connected to a cloud of Microsoft, provides enhanced capabilities of synchronization of data and supports the Active Directory directory service.

The SBS Standard 2011 server is intended for deployment and support of the websites by own machines of the organization and differs in support of platforms Exchange and SharePoint and also the built-in means of remote access. Unlike Windows SBS 2011 Essentials in the version of Standard there are no integrated backup mechanisms. For these purposes the organizations should use solutions of third-party producers.

Using the Add-in Manager tool, administrators will be able to set new additions for expansion of functionality of the server. Separate mentioning is deserved by the simplified possibilities of administration. The convenient dashboard under the name Launchpad to which detailed information on a current status of under control devices is output will be at disposal of IT specialists. The product Essentials allows to study information on the status connected to Windows systems network and Mac computers. The new Move Server Tool tool is also offered to users of SBS Essentials 2011 and Windows Home Server 2011. This idle time and the clear master will simplify data transfer from one physical medium on another.

Windows Small Business Server 2011 Standard

In March, 2011 Microsoft updated a solution portfolio of Small Business Server (SBS) for small and medium business and announced a release of Windows SBS 2011 Standard and Premium Add-On. This available at the price and the simple server solution in use helps SMB to the companies to protect crucial data (automatic daily backup copies), own mail server, an internal informational portal, remote access to a workplace, management of the general access to files and printers of corporate network. The solution is available through Microsoft partners in 19 languages, including Russian already today.

Windows SBS product family which part is Windows SBS 2011 Standard is developed especially for SMB companies and offers modern information technologies of the corporate level at the attractive price. The product portfolio includes Windows SBS 2011 Standard, available already today, and Essentials which availability it will be announced is later. Both editions include all necessary solutions for ensuring data protection, automatic backup, the organization of remote access and joint work of employees.

To Windows SBS 2011 Standard it is intended for the companies with the number of the PC to 75. It includes Windows Server 2008 R2, Exchange Server 2010 SP1, SharePoint Foundation 2010 and Windows Server Update Services 3.0 SP2. Windows SBS 2011 Standard provides the following advantages:

• Data protection and intra-company network: the possibility of automatic creation of backup copies of all necessary information and data recovery on the server allow to be focused on the solution of business challenges, but not support of IT.
• Modern means of communication: in addition to fast and easy connection and an email preference the portal for joint work of employees allows to deploy the solution.
• Remote access: Windows Small Business Server 2011 Standard allows to provide all employees with the protected remote access to corporate mail, the calendar and contacts and also documents and applications, including via mobile devices.
• Scalability: Windows Small Business Server 2011 Standard will always correspond to business challenges thanks to light scalability of the platform and an opportunity to connect additional users, servers and applications as required. It is performed using Windows Small Business Server 2011 Premium Add-on which to add one more Windows Server 2008 R2 Standard and SQL Server 2008 R2 for Small Business. Also on the second hardware server, except the SQL server, it is possible to unroll a number of additional roles – the second domain controller, services of remote desktops, Hyper-V.
• Simplicity of management: using a uniform control panel the IT specialist can qualitatively provide with infrastructure operability of infrastructure, quickly reacting to new requests of business.