Many smaller businesses tend to have a limited understanding of the difference between peer to peer networking and making the leap to a proper client server network. Over the last few months, Microsoft has upgraded its operating systems and applications for servers, notably Windows Server 2008, SQL Server 2008 and brining out Service Pack 1 for Exchange Server 2007. In doing so, they have brought out a very powerful, co-ordinated product offering for organisations from small businesses to the largest corporation.

This can provide some of the advantages in time saving and efficiency to small businesses that have, hitherto, only been accessible to larger organisations.

Windows Server 2008

When you put a server in place, you need an operating system specifically designed to operate in a client sever environment, hence Windows Server 2008.

One of the main advantages that this gives, is in security. The new technologies in Windows Server 2008 help prevent unauthorized connections to your networks, servers, data, and user accounts. Any computer that attempts to access you network runs into Network Access Protection (NAP) which makes sure that they comply with your organization’s security policy. As importantly, BitLocker Drive Encryption gives greater protection against data theft in the event that server hardware is lost or stolen, as well as providing more secure data deletion when your servers are eventually decommissioned.

The Server Manager provides a single console that simplifies server set up , configuration and management as well as allowing administrators to automate routine tasks over multiple servers.

If your business relies on remote workers, has satellite shops or offices, or needs to provide access to company data for sales representatives, Terminal Services RemoteApp provides this. Authorised staff can easily access standard Windows-based programs from anywhere by running them on a terminal server instead of directly on a client computer - without the need for a complicated virtual private network (VPN).

Sharepoint, which comes with Windows Server 2008, provides the ability to share applications like Excel spreadsheets, which can be accessed and updated by staff, whether in the office or remotely. It provides a focal point for company and or team activity which can really boost productivity by having one set of documents that every one can access and update directly.

Exchange Server 2007 SP1

MIcrosofts Exchange Server 2007 is another invaluable aid to keeping everyone up to date and coordinated. It provides e-mail messaging, calendar organisation and unified messaging. It provides built in protection against spam and malware attacks with an integrated, IP based block-and-allow list based on sender reputation and are automatically updated. Administrators can also create additional IP allow-or-deny lists if necessary.

The Calendar Attendant helps to reduce conflicting appointments by limiting calendar items (request, declines, accepts) in the inbox to the latest version. It also shows meeting requests as tentative on individual calendars until all the people invited to attend the meeting reply.

In addition to Exchange Management Shell, the Public Folder Management Console lets administrators quickly manage public folders, including creation, deletion, and the replication configuration of individual folders.

SQL Server 2008

Of course, one of the great strengths, and main reasons for having a proper server based network is providing access to a common database for a number of concurrent users. Whether this is to control information , such as stock movements or provide information for customers from an e-commerce website, SQL Server 2008 delivers integrated services that let you query, search, synchronize, report and analyze data. Furthermore, as it is stored in an organisation’s server and accessed by desktops and mobile devices, it can be simultaneously updated and queried without having to manage replication issues.

The reporting engine in SQL Server 2008 Reporting Services allows you to integrate and report on data from a number of functions within the company. Large and complex reports can be produced in various formats, including list, chart, table, and matrix. They can incorporate data from Oracle, SQL Server, DB2 and many other sources and then you can preview, print and publish the reports with the integral report builder. You can also export it easily to Office 2007 products such as Excel to manipulate it into “what if” scenarios or Word for presentations and reports.

Conclusion

Every business has its own, individual, problems and what would be a critical benefit for one company, would be irrelevant to another, so it is not possible to cover all the features and benefits that might be relevant to all businesses. Suffice it to say, that, if you run a small to medium sized business, it would be worth examining the advantages that you might experience by moving to a proper client server network.



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Nowadays, some web hosting company are started to integrate the all brand new Windows Server 2008 as a web hosting services which has built-in Web & virtualization technologies, increases the reliability of their server infrastructure. The Windows Server 2008 integrated with new technologies such as virtualization tools, Web resources & security enhancements which help us to save time, costs. It also provides a platform for a dynamic & optimized datacenter for business users. With the authority to access to the new tools such as Windows Server Manager, we can easily have a higher control of the optimization and web management tasks. It can be even more good news for users like us because if we uses Windows Server 2008 web hosting, we can felt secure with the advanced security that will help us to protect the server environment to ensure the smoothness of our daily business routine.

 

Well Customized for the Web Users

Windows Server 2008 web hosting which integrated with IIS7 will be able to help us to simplify the web server management. This can be seen by IIS7 able to provide us with simplified management interface and greater cross site control. We are able to share the data on much higher level if we choose to use the IIS7 with .NET Framework 3.0.

 

Robust Virtualization Technology

by using the Window Server 2008 web hosting services, we are able to virtualize multiple operating systems (Windows, Linux, Fedora, etc.) on a single server. Due to simpler, more flexible licensing policies we are able to take full advantage of all the benefits and cost savings of virtualization. By the great help of Windows Server 2008 we can build up a dynamic datacenter able to adapt rapidly and smoothly to changing business needs. Application deployment is now secure and convenient without the need for a VPN.

 

Security Matter the Most

As we know, the Windows Server 2008 is the most secure Windows Server ever. Its hardened operating system and security innovations, including Network Access Protection, Federated Rights Management, and Read-Only Domain Controller, provide unprecedented levels of protection for your network, your data, and your business. In case we are facing the failure and intrusion for servers, networks, data, and user accounts Windows Server 2008 will help to protect against it.

Windows Server 2008 with Network Access Protection gives you the power to isolate computers that don’t comply with your organization’s security policies, and provides network restriction, remediation, and ongoing compliance checking.

A Solid Foundation for Your Business Needs

Windows Server 2008 is the most flexible and robust Windows Server operating system to date. With new technologies and features such as Server Core, Power Shell, Windows Deployment Services, and enhanced networking and clustering technologies. If we choose to host our website with Windows Server 2008, we can enjoy the most versatile and reliable Windows platform for all of our workload and application requirements where this can increase our productivity.



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