Windows Small Business Server 2008

Join us live for "The Dream Server" launch today at noon. Right here, or (if you don’t see the video below) go to http://infoetc.com/dreamserver

Microsoft is launching Windows Small Business Server 2008 and Windows Essential Server 2008. Join us for this live launch webcast to learn all about these exciting new products. This syndication of the Windows Essential Server Solutions product line is brought to you by Microsoft Corporation and Info et Cetera Consulting (a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner and Small Business Specialist).

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My notes from today’s Microsoft Partner Program webcast…

Remote Access

Self-Issued vs. Third Party certificates

• SBS2008 creates a self-issued certificate that can be used.
• Clients and computers have to install this certificate in order to trust it.
• 3rd-party certificates are easier to implement and manager.  They are not more or less secure, but they’re easier to use.  They have become very inexpensive.
• Fix My Network wizard will automate updating the Root Certificate
• “Add a Trusted Certificate Wizard” will automatically generate and give you a certificate request hash.
• Installing trusted certificate on client computers
  • From a domain-joined computer, go to \\sites\public\downloads and download/extract “Install Certificate Package.zip”
  • From a non-domain joined computer, More >

My notes from today’s Microsoft Partner Program webcast on SBS2008…

Managing with the Windows SBS Console

On the home tab, you will see:

• Task Pad
  • Finish Installation
  • Connect to the Internet
  • Protect your data
  • Add users, computers, and devices
  • Grow your business
    • Set up your Microsoft Office Live Small Business Web sites
• Network Essentials Summary:  Shows you the status of:
  • Security (will be red if any components on the Security page are red)
  • Updates
  • Backup
  • Other Alerts
• Frequent Tasks and Community Links

Other tabs include:

• Users and Groups
• Network
• Shared Folders and Web Sites
• Backup and Server Storage
• Reports
• Security

Much of the UI includes the OK (green), Warning (yellow), and Critical (Red) concept.

Network tab includes:

• Computers (servers and client computers)
• Devices
• Connectivity

Security

Components:

• Email anti-malware More >

Hooray!  The SBS team signed off on the bits for Windows Small Business Server 2008 this morning, so SBS2008 has officially RTM’ed.  It’s “in the machine” now, as they say.

More information from the Small Business Server blog

Read more posts from John R. Pattison about Windows Small Business Server 2008

I thought it would be beneficial to post an overview post on SBS2008, to fill anyone in on the new product offerings that Microsoft is bringing to market.

Microsoft Small Business Server is growing up!  Microsoft is introducing a new LINE of servers under the “Essential Business Solutions” umbrella:

• Windows Small Business Server 2008 (SBS2008)
  • Standard: 1 user
  • Premium: 2 servers (adds a server to run line of business software)
• Windows Essential Business Server 2008 (EBS2008)
  • Standard: 3 servers
  • Premium: 4 servers (adds a server to run line of business software)

For more information about the difference between SBS2008 and EBS2008, see Which Solution is Right More >