Windows Essential Business Server 2008

Windows Essential Business Server 2008
Part of the Windows Server family
Developer
Microsoft
Website	technet.microsoft.com/en-us/ebs
Releases
Release date	12 December 2008; 2 years ago (2008-12-12)[info]
Current version	6.0.5700.0 (2 September 2008; 3 years ago (2008-09-02))[citation needed]
Source model	Closed source / Shared source
License	Proprietary / Commercial
Kernel type	Hybrid kernel
Support status
Support status for each component is determined individually.[1]

Windows Essential Business Server 2008^[2] (code named Centro)^[2] was Microsoft's server offering for mid-size businesses (up to a maximum of 300 Users and/or Devices).^[3] It was released to manufacturing on 16 September 2008^[4] and was officially launched on the 12 December 2008.^[1] It is discontinued on 5 March 2010.^[5]

Overview

Built from the Windows Server 2008 codebase, two editions are available: Standard and Premium. The Standard edition includes three Windows Server 2008 x64 Standard Servers and on top of those three servers: Microsoft Exchange 2007, Microsoft System Center Essentials, Microsoft Forefront Security for Exchange Server, and Forefront Threat Management Gateway (Medium Business Edition). The Premium edition adds another Windows Server 2008 Standard Edition and the Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Standard database software.

According to Microsoft, Essential Business Server features a single administration/management console, through which the collection of managed clients and servers can be monitored and managed. Third party software can also utilize the same console to present an administration interface to their software. CA Technologies and Symantec will use the management console for their CA ARCserve Backup, Backup Exec and Symantec Endpoint Protection products respectively.^[3] Essential Business Server also includes Remote Web Workplace, an out-of-the-box feature that enables IT to easily set up security-enhanced remote access to company client computers and Outlook Web Access.

On 5 March 2010, Microsoft announced that due to low demand of the product, it discontinued the offering of Essential Business Server after June 30, 2010. Microsoft has recommended that Essential Businesses use standalone Windows Server 2008 R2, Exchange Server 2010, System Center Essentials 2010, Forefront Security for Exchange Server 2010 and Forefront Threat Management Gateway 2010.^[6]

From 30 June 2010 until 31 December 2010, Microsoft offered standalone products of Windows Server 2008, System Center Essentials 2007, and Exchange Server 2007 to current Essential Business Server customers free of charge (Taxes and shipping charges apply).^[5] Windows Essential Business Server 2008 Free Trial was excluded from this offer.^{[citation needed]}

See also

• Windows Small Business Server

References

1. ^ ^{a b} Microsoft. "Windows Essential Business Server 2008 Lifecycle Policy". Microsoft. http://support.microsoft.com/lifecycle/?LN=en-us&x=17&y=6&p1=13980. Retrieved 2010-06-08. 
2. ^ ^{a b} Microsoft Essential Business Server Community Site
3. ^ ^{a b} "Microsoft's Centro becomes 'Essential' business server". http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9045859. Retrieved 2007-11-08. 
4. ^ Microsoft Essential Business Server 2008 (EBS 2008) finalised - incl Forefront TMG 2008
5. ^ ^{a b} Microsoft Corporation: blogs.technet.com New IT Trends Bring Change to Mid-Market Product Line
6. ^ Microsoft: Windows Essential Business Server

External links

• EBS Official Blog in English
• EBS Official Blog in Chinese
• Mike Langowski's Blog - EBS Program Manager
• Kent Compton's Blog - EBS Product Planner
• Nicholas King's Blog - EBS Technical Product Manager
• Chris Grillone's Blog - EBS Product Manager
• Product Documentation - Windows Essential Business Server Technical Library