By Patrick Nelson
There are some significant benefits to upgrading to Windows 7 if you’re using Windows Server 2008 R2.
Windows Server 2008 R2 was designed with Windows 7 in mind.
There are a whole host of features only available when you combine the two, including massive improvements in fault tolerance, remote connectivity and tools to bypass Virtual Private Networks (VPN.)
There are also security improvements, improvements in Wide Area Networking (WAN) linking and virtualization improvements.
Remote Connectivity
Windows 7 brings DirectAccess, which allows Windows 7 client computers to directly connect into intranets without setting up a VPN.
The intranet user gets the same look and feel as that user would on their own desktop back in the workplace environment.
The user–or IT department–doesn’t have to install any software on the remote laptop.
This also relates to another VPN-bypassing feature introduced, that allows the user to securely access the intranet from public computers.
This can save money for the enterprise in that they don’t have to provide laptops for employees just to access the intranet remotely.
Performance Improvements for Remote Offices
The non-VPN advantages of combining Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 are taken a step further in a thing Microsoft call BranchCache.
BranchCache is designed to reduce the operating costs on WANs through caching.
The recent centralization of applications has resulted in increased WAN use, which has cost more. Also, the dependency on WAN links has generally degraded performance.
Microsoft attempts to address these problems with a combination of Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2.
Security Improvements for Remote Offices
Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 introduces support for read-only information through Distributed File System (DFS.)
Meaning, enterprises can better protect digital assets. This is an improvement over Windows Server 2008 where a read-only copy of Active Directory was introduced in a read-only domain controller.
Improved Virtualization
Windows 7 combined with Windows Server 2008 R2 introduces RemoteApp & Desktop (RAD) feeds.
RAD improves the experience when using virtualized applications.
Fault Tolerance
More remote access improvements in Windows 7 combined with Windows Server 2008 R2 include something called Agile VPN.
It’s a way to structure multiple network paths in the VPN tunnel.
Outages are eliminated because unlike existing VPNs, where the tunnel has to be re-established, the Agile VPN just automatically routes the VPN on another network path.
Other Windows Server 2008 Advantages
In addition, Windows Server 2008 R2 has a number of IT-friendly advantages over Windows Server 2008 including Live Migration which allows moving of VMs with no downtime; improved datacenter power management; and customized or automated management tools.
Ultimately, enterprise users of Windows 7 will tremendously benefit from combining Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008.
More Enterprise Windows 7 news.
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