With Windows 7 in the RC stage and Windows Server 2008 R2 recently gone RTM we felt now would be a good time to discuss a couple of the features of this next generation of operating systems which may provide potential benefits both for businesses and end-users.
‘Direct Access’
With both OS’s being built from the same code tree it is unsurprising that some useful features are only available for business’s using both OS’s together. One such feature is ‘Direct Access’, a new networking feature which provides an improved remote access experience for users, eliminating the need for a VPN to be connected and logged in to access remote resources. This also makes managing remote clients easier and more efficient for administrators.
‘BranchCache’
Another feature which is only available when using both Windows 7 and Server 2008 R2 is ‘BranchCache’. This is a feature which allows Windows 7 client PC’s in a remote location to cache copies of files from a server running Server 2008 R2 and send them directly to other Windows 7 PC’s using a peer-to-peer architecture. This could be very useful for businesses who’s servers aren’t in their main office location, or who have several users working in the same remote location which does not have a local server, as a file which has been downloaded from the server by one client PC can then be downloaded by other Windows 7 PC’s from the ‘BranchCache’ on that PC rather than from the server again.
Of course as well as features that require both Windows 7 and Server 2008 R2 there have been new features and improvements included in the OS’s separately. Administrators will likely enjoy the new Active Directory Recycle Bin and a new version of Hyper-V included with Server 2008 R2 whereas users will find the visual improvements included in the Windows Vista OS have been taken and improved on once again with Windows 7, as well as a generally faster, more responsive user experience.
