Introducing Windows Small Business Server 2011

In our time, the evolution of Microsoft Windows Small Business Server from its inception to the latest version in 2011 has been an orderly progression of improvements both large and small—and the total distance covered is immense.

1. Windows Small Business Server Editions

Windows Small Business Server is available in two editions: Standard and Essentials. It’s the ideal solution for small businesses with up to 75 users.

Note:

Windows Small Business Server Essentials is a new, first-server solution for small businesses (up to 25 users) that can seamlessly integrate into online services such as Microsoft Office 365, cloud backup solutions, and cloud management solutions. It is expected to be released in the first half of 2011.

Also available is the Windows Small Business Server Premium Add-on, which includes a second Windows Server 2008 R2 license and Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 technologies.

2. What’s New and Improved

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

2.1. SBS Console

When you install Windows SBS 2011, you’ll immediately notice that the interface includes SBS Console (shown in Figure 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.

2.2. 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

2.3. 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

2.4. 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.

2.5. 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

2.6. 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

3. Small Business Server 2011 Premium Add-on

When you have limited IT resources but still need to run a large number of applications, the Windows Small Business Server 2011 Premium Add-on can save the day. The Premium Add-on contains

• An additional license for Windows Server 2008 R2 Standard, which allows you to deploy another server on your Windows SBS 2011 network.

• Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 for Small Business, which includes a range of features that can help organizations make the most of their information with better tools for development, manageability, business intelligence, and data warehousing. SQL Server 2008 R2 for Small Business has the same capabilities as SQL Server 2008 R2 Standard; however, it is available to use only in the SBS 2011 environment.

An additional server adds great flexibility to a Small Business Server network, including the potential for a second domain controller. An additional server can be used for multiple business applications, remote desktop services, or virtualization.

4. Hardware Requirements

The hardware requirements for Windows SBS Server are detailed in Tables Table 1 and Table 2. Actual requirements can vary based on your system configuration and the applications and features you need to use. Processor performance is dependent on not only the clock frequency of the processor, but also the number of cores and the size of the processor cache.

As always, disk space requirements for the system partition are approximate. Additional available hard-disk space might be required if you are installing over a network.

These minimums are definitely minimal—particularly the minimum 8 GB of physical memory. Even on a small network, 10 GB is the least amount of RAM you’ll need if your users are to be reasonably content.