Windows 7 Enterprise Features Powerful Preview

The upcoming Windows 7 has attracted a lot of users' attention, and various predictions and early trial articles are constantly appearing in the newspapers. But when people talk about bringing cooler and more powerful features to their PCs or laptops, they often overlook that Microsoft will also launch an enterprise version of Windows 7. Not long ago, Gavriella Schuster, senior director of Microsoft Windows products, revealed some of the functional details of Windows 7 Enterprise Edition in his blog.

Features such as multi-user account management, such as mouse hovering, easy navigation and control, have been talked about, and less of the "sexy" business functions are often not widely known. In addition, the outside world also complains that enterprises deploy Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 will spend a lot of extra expenses. Gavriella Schuster said in a blog post that Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 will not be deployed overnight, and that some plans are a long-term strategy for the enterprise. In addition, Windows 7 has many features that help companies save on total cost of ownership, which is sometimes overlooked.

Windows Server 2008 R2

Here are the enterprise features of Windows 7 that Gavriella Schuster highlighted in his blog.

DirectAccess (Direct Access)

The biggest benefit of the DirectAccess feature is the simplified connection between Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2. This makes mobile workers who use laptops no longer need to use VPN when they access the corporate network outside, which makes enterprise users more flexible and less IT burden.

With the DirectAccess feature, users only need to connect to the corporate network via the Internet, and operate within the scope of their authority. Users no longer need to stop what they are doing because they want to log in to the VPN. Under the DirectAccess feature, remote users mainly use their own local broadband, which will reduce the bandwidth used by enterprises, thereby saving money.

DirectAccess also greatly facilitates the IT operation and maintenance management of enterprises. For IT managers, the biggest challenge is managing remote laptops. These people sometimes need to leave the computer for a while, then come back to work, and it is difficult for administrators to know exactly when they are accessing the corporate network. With DirectAccess, as long as the computer is connected to the Internet, it can be managed.

As for some companies, they worry that if there is no official VPN, the access to the corporate network is safe. Schuster said in the blog that this kind of worry is not necessary. DirectAccess is controlled by Windows Server 2008 R2, which uses the most secure protocol ——IPv6 to encrypt and transmit data over the Internet.

BranchCache

BranchCache also requires the interaction of Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2, which can improve the efficiency of enterprise remote offices and branches. The basic function of BranchCache is to speed up the access and storage of large files on the corporate network.

For example, a branch of an enterprise can download a backup of a Windows Server 2008 R2 file server over the corporate network. When another user accesses the file in the branch office, the user can immediately access the file from the local cache instead of connecting back to the headquarters with limited bandwidth.

Windows 7 Desktop

BranchCache reduces the bandwidth used by users for LANs based on HTTP and SMB communication, and by frequently accessing network from branch offices The content provides services to enhance the end user experience.

BranchCache works with security technologies such as SSL and IPSEC and does not require the addition of additional network devices in the branch office.

Desktop Search

Windows 7 enhances the enterprise desktop search capabilities. While Windows Vista has enhanced desktop search capabilities, Microsoft has also increased its investment in SharePoint Portal search and Internet search, but for search, users still have three different levels of demand.

With Windows 7's desktop search, users' search scope for content has been greatly expanded. A user's search can be extended from the desktop to the SharePoint site to the Internet, and then the place to find a file might be: computer, corporate network or internet.

Users can select the intranet and SharePoint sites to perform a federated search on the Windows 7 platform through the menu, or you can pre-set the start menu link to a specific portal. Search results will be reflected in Windows Explorer, no different from users' previous Windows XP and Vista.

#P#

BitLocker to Go

Windows Vista already has BitLocker hard drive encryption to protect lost or stolen laptops. This feature has been extended in Windows 7 to protected storage devices such as external hard drives and USB flash drives.

This feature is called "BitLocker to Go" in Windows 7, and its feature is that the user must pass the password verification before being allowed to copy data. In view of the increasing number of external storage devices in the enterprise, this will give enterprises the same confidence in using USB external storage devices as previous multi-volume drive encryption. Even if these external storage devices are accidentally lost, there is nothing to worry about.

User Account Management

AppLocker

AppLocker is similar to BitLocker and is a security feature. It provides IT workers with a flexible, easy-to-use way to set up what programs are allowed to run on the desktop, effectively managing unauthorized software and preventing possible malware infections.

For security reasons, Microsoft recommends that businesses run as standard users, which means that all users do not have administrator privileges. But if the user is given administrator privileges, the AppLocker feature prevents the running of suspicious types of software. AppLocker allows specified applications to run on employees' desktops, block potentially unwanted software, and allow applications and programs that users need to run.