During yesterday's Microsoft keynote at CES, Steve Ballmer announced the release of the public beta of Windows Server 2008 R2, which is a midway release between its major server releases. This is a philosophy that the Windows Server team at Microsoft adopted since Windows Server 2003. R2 beta will be available for download on the WinServer R2 web site.
While R2 arrives with myriad new features, there are two key areas that are of great interest to IT generalists and small VARs that cater to the SMB. First, a new DirectAccess feature eliminates the need for VPN connectivity by providing seamless intranet based connectivity to Windows 7 clients from remote locations. DirectAccess will do away with the need to buy any VPN appliance. What's more, administrators will be able to manage remote computers just like computers inside corporate intranets. For VARs, DirectAccess spells a boom in new business revenue. VARs can offer managed services directly from their networks.
In R2, Microsoft also changed some of the network plumbing and underlying protocols to increase the efficiency of file transfers and improve remote connectivity with Hyper-V. As a result, the old Terminal Services will no longer be supported.
R2 provides a new Remote Desktop service using a new Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI). In a R2 VDI environment, remote computers will be able to connect to virtual desktops, instead of physical machines. Hyper-V's virtualization technology makes it looks seamless. From the point of view of users, they won't be able to distinguish if the virtual desktops are virtual or installed on physical hardware.
While this might sound too esoteric for many small businesses to deploy, in actuality, it is not. I've worked with Hyper-V in the past and found it extremely easy to use. Small business will be able to reduce operational costs because the desktops exist in the VDI environment (a server box). You won't be rolling your eyes back when you see the price. It's all included in the Windows Server 2008 license.
Source: http://blogs.pcmag.com/atwork/2009/01/ces_2009_smb_powerhouse_window_1.php
While R2 arrives with myriad new features, there are two key areas that are of great interest to IT generalists and small VARs that cater to the SMB. First, a new DirectAccess feature eliminates the need for VPN connectivity by providing seamless intranet based connectivity to Windows 7 clients from remote locations. DirectAccess will do away with the need to buy any VPN appliance. What's more, administrators will be able to manage remote computers just like computers inside corporate intranets. For VARs, DirectAccess spells a boom in new business revenue. VARs can offer managed services directly from their networks.
In R2, Microsoft also changed some of the network plumbing and underlying protocols to increase the efficiency of file transfers and improve remote connectivity with Hyper-V. As a result, the old Terminal Services will no longer be supported.
R2 provides a new Remote Desktop service using a new Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI). In a R2 VDI environment, remote computers will be able to connect to virtual desktops, instead of physical machines. Hyper-V's virtualization technology makes it looks seamless. From the point of view of users, they won't be able to distinguish if the virtual desktops are virtual or installed on physical hardware.
While this might sound too esoteric for many small businesses to deploy, in actuality, it is not. I've worked with Hyper-V in the past and found it extremely easy to use. Small business will be able to reduce operational costs because the desktops exist in the VDI environment (a server box). You won't be rolling your eyes back when you see the price. It's all included in the Windows Server 2008 license.
Source: http://blogs.pcmag.com/atwork/2009/01/ces_2009_smb_powerhouse_window_1.php
0 comments:
Post a Comment