What's New and Improved in Windows® Small Business Server 2011

The following excerpt from the recent publication Windows Small Business Server 2011 Administrator's Companion speaks to the various new features that have been improved upon with the latest version.

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Probably the best new “feature” in Windows SBS 2011 is that it’s built on Windows Server 2008 R2. You get all the advantages of Windows Server 2011—high levels of security and control over your network, sophisticated report and management tools, and enhanced access to email, the Internet, and business applications—all in a single, integrated, low-maintenance package. In addition to great hardware and scaling features and easier virtualization, you’ll also have

• A straightforward interface designed for small businesses
  
  
• An easier installation and migration process
  
  
• Remote Access for simple access almost anywhere
  
  
• A health-monitoring infrastructure that analyzes both server and client well-being

64-Bit Architecture The major shift for Windows SBS Server from 2003 to 2008 was from 32-bit architecture to 64-bit. The 64-bit architecture continues in SBS 2011. When Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 was released in a 64-bit version only, the shift was inevitable. It’s also a desirable shift. The 32-bit version of Windows was rapidly coming up against its own limitations. A 32-bit operating system is limited to 4 gigabytes (GB) of RAM (random access memory). A 64-bit operating system can have up to 32 GB of RAM. That, in and of itself, is a significant difference. But the real difference is in the area of address space. Vastly increased amounts of address space help minimize the time spent swapping processes in and out of memory by storing more of those processes in RAM rather than on the hard disk. This, in turn, can increase overall program performance. A 32-bit computer works very well for most programs, however. For example, spreadsheet programs, web browsers, and word-processing programs will run at about the same speed on either a 32-bit or 64-bit computer. However, when you’re running a server and hosting multiple clients, a mail server, and shared applications and files, a 64-bit computer is much preferred.

SBS Console

When you install Windows SBS 2011, you’ll immediately notice that the interface includes SBS Console (shown in Figure 1-1), a central organizational point from which you can perform many administrative tasks associated with Windows SBS.




Note: A shortcut to the console is automatically placed on the server desktop.

From Users And Groups at the top of the console window, you can add users and groups as well as configure these objects. Similarly, click Network to add or remove computers, manage devices such as printers, and configure your Internet connection and other networking features.

Other areas of the console connect you to the tools for shared folders, backup, report generation, and security.

Remote Web Access

Formerly known as Remote Web Workplace (RWW), the new Remote Web Access (RWA) has many pluses, a few of which are

• The ability to remotely access shared folders
  
  
• Secure, anywhere access to your files and documents through any common web browser
  
  
• The ability to connect to the PCs in your network and even run applications from virtually any location
  
  
• A new interface that administrators can reorganize without programming knowledge
  
  
• Full Outlook Web Access (OWA) support

Installation and Migration

Whether you’re upgrading or installing a new server, SBS 2011 Standard makes it simple. In addition to the familiar Windows interface, you’ll also get

• A much simplified setup procedure with complete guidance for configuring the server, and the Internet and domain configuration for each connected PC
  
  
• The ability to let users connect their own PC—without requiring an administrator
  
  
• Enhanced source server validation tools for better preparation for migration
  
  
• Automatic administration of your Internet domain name

Data Protection

Everyone agrees that the easiest way to protect your data is to back it up at frequent intervals. SBS 2011 makes this chore a good deal easier by conducting automatic, daily backups of every computer and server on the network.

Restoration of individual files, folders, or an entire computer is fairly easily done using uncomplicated disaster recovery tools.

Exchange Server 2010 SP1

SBS 2011 Standard features the powerful new Microsoft Exchange Server 2010 SP1. With this upgrade from Exchange Server 2007, you’ll have

• The enhanced Outlook Web Access (OWA), which mirrors Microsoft Office Outlook more closely than ever
  
  
• The improved Exchange Management Console for a single place to manage all your email tasks
  
  
• Automatic detection and repair of corrupted mailboxes and databases
  
  
• New features that help users organize their inboxes efficiently
  
  
• The ability to set retention policies and tags through a straightforward interface, and deployment options for roles and features
  
  
• New archiving options, such as defining when email data expires, deployment rules, and how to provision personal archives to a different database
  
  
• New transport security rules to protect sensitive business information

SharePoint Foundation Services 2010

SBS 2011 Standard features Microsoft SharePoint Foundation Services 2010—the newest version of Microsoft Windows SharePoint Services—with features and capabilities that help you collaborate securely online—from any location. You’ll have

• An improved Remote Web Access (formally Remote Web Workplace) that allows you to share internal documents, harmonize calendars, manage issues, and participate in discussions—no matter where you are
  
  
• The ability to consolidate intranet sites into a single on-premises location
  
  
• Quick methods for producing secure and simple solutions for your specific needs
  
  
• Built-in monitoring, alerts, and administrative tools for SharePoint