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PowerBiz Backup Essentials featuring Windows Storage Server 2008R2 Essentials now available in Australia

By BoonTee,on January 9th,2012%

As the title implies,we are finally able to purchase,implement and deploy the Windows Storage Server 2008R2 Essentials solution for small businesses. This server,which comes in a variety of hard drive options from 1TB to 6TB of storage will provide an excellent out-of-box solution for small businesses.

Among the unique feature set are the following:

  • Automated daily client computer backups of Windows and Macintosh clients and server backups.
  • Simple recovery of individual files,folders and entire computers from image-based backups.
  • Centralized file organization.
  • Remote Access similar to what is available in SBS and SBS Essentials can provide RWA access in branch offices and locations where there is no SBS server.
  • Support for thrid party add-ins.

You can download the Datasheet here –http://www.powerbiz.net.au/files/WSSE2.pdf

PowerBiz Solutions has partnered with Hewlett-Packard to provide a custom solution called PowerBiz Backup Essentials. Using the HP Proliant Microserver,the PowerBiz Backup Essentials unit is a self contained Windows Storage Server 2008R2 Essentials solution. Just start up the unit,and configure a few settings to your network,and it is ready to go.

For pricing,specifications and availability,send an email to info@powerbiz.net.au.

For more information on the HP Proliant Microserver,check out this blog post –http://blog.powerbiz.net.au/features/hp-proliant-microserver/

 

Leave a comment   Features,General,Hardware,SBS2011

Why use Enterprise Drives in RAID instead of Desktop Drives?

By BoonTee,on November 22nd,2011%

Desktop Drives are cheap(er),but are not suited for use in a RAID array with a proper RAID controller. Why is that? Were the drive manufacturers pulling wool over our eyes so that they could sell more drives?

Western Digital put out a KB article to explain how desktop drives were different from Enterprise drives,and why you should not put desktop drives into a RAID array. http://wdc.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/1397/~/difference-between-desktop-edition-and-raid-(enterprise)-edition-drives

The bottom line is that WD drives have a special feature for automatic recovery within the drive electronics which will interfere with the automatic recovery code in the RAID controller. The end result is a hard drive failing in the array,when it actually hasn’t. It is worth repeating the Critical Caution note here:

Critical: WD Caviar Black,Caviar Green,and Caviar Blue hard drives are not recommended for and are not warranted for use in RAID environments utilizing Enterprise HBAs and/or expanders and in multi-bay chassis,as they are not designed for,nor tested in,these specific types of RAID applications. For all Business Critical RAID applications,please consider WD’s Enterprise Hard Drives that are specifically designed with RAID-specific,time-limited error recovery (TLER),are tested extensively in 24×7 RAID applications,and include features like enhanced RAFF technology and thermal extended burn-in testing.

Leave a comment   General,Hardware

What is Cloud Computing?

By BoonTee,on October 23rd,2011%

Here’s a cool YouTube video that explains what Cloud Computing is all about from the perspective of the new “experts”in this field.

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Microsoft End User License Agreement resource

By BoonTee,on June 29th,2011%

Did you know that Microsoft have a page that lists out the end user license agreements for almost all of their products? Check this out here -http://www.microsoft.com/About/Legal/EN/US/IntellectualProperty/UseTerms/Default.aspx

Leave a comment   General,Online Tools,Useful Links

The Importance of Backup

By BoonTee,on April 8th,2011%

An excellent article today from Flying Solo on why backups are important –http://www.flyingsolo.com.au/technology/business-technology/data-backups-pay-attention-or-you-will-pay

  1. Your backup needs to involve a person who cares about the data
  2. Build a backup mindset into the way you work
  3. You need at least two completely different backup strategies
  4. You must have an offsite backup

The full article is well worth the read.

Leave a comment   General,Hardware,Security

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional 2011

By BoonTee,on April 2nd,2011%

I just received an email congratulating me on being awarded with the 2011 Microsoft MVP Award. This is the second year I have received this award and I am proud to have been able to be involved in helping the IT community,specifically in the Small Business Server area.

From the website (mvp.support.microsoft.com) – The Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP) Award is an annual award given to outstanding members of Microsoft’s technical communities based on contributions made during the previous 12 months to offline and online Microsoft-related technical communities. Microsoft MVP Award recognizes exceptional technical community leaders worldwide who actively share their knowledge with other technical community members. Of 100 million technical community participants worldwide,about 4,000 are MVPs. Outstanding technical community members are nominated by their peers,Microsoft employees,and MVPs.

I have enjoyed my partnership with Microsoft during the past year under this role as a Microsoft MVP and I certainly look forward to another year of interaction.

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SBS7 is released as a Public Preview

By BoonTee,on September 22nd,2010%

ANNOUNCING THE AVAILABILITY OF WINDOWS SBS 7 PREVIEW:

I am very pleased to announce that Windows Small Business Server “7” (SBS7) Public Preview is available for download.

Built on Windows Server® 2008 R2,this exciting new edition of the all-in-one solution server for small businesses will include Microsoft® Exchange Server 2010 SP1,Microsoft SharePoint® Foundation 2010,and Windows Software Update Services. Small business customers will find significant security and management enhancements over previous versions,as well as much richer features for providing file-and-print,email and Internet services to employees.

Together with Windows SBS code name “Aurora”,available to download here since August the 16th,SBS7 is dedicated to providing small business customers with a highly manageable,low complexity solution to help cut costs,save time and be more efficient. SBS7 offers on premise email and collaboration suite functionalities that Aurora’s customers can add through online services.

SBS7 also offers a great opportunity for small businesses with prior versions to upgrade their servers and to simultaneously take advantage of the advancements in security,reliability,and connectivity technology. For this reason,SBS7 offers enhanced migration tools,extensive pre-migration checks,and prescriptive guidance included in the software.

Furthermore,with SBS7,small businesses gain the freedom to securely access all of their communications from virtually any Web-browser or mobile device —getting more done wherever they are with the integrated Exchange Server 2010 and Microsoft Outlook® Web Access (OWA) capabilities.

Customers using SBS7 will also have the opportunity to view,edit,and share Microsoft Office documents online with SharePoint Foundation 2010 and Microsoft Office Web Apps. As the online companion to Microsoft Word,Microsoft Excel(R),Microsoft PowerPoint(R),and Microsoft OneNote(R),Office Web Apps gives users the freedom to access documents from virtually anywhere.

To learn more about Windows Small Business Server “7”,you can visit our SBS site.

The preview release is available on our Connect site and can be downloaded now. If you haven’t already signed up for the preview,you can visit our Connect site and get signed up. We have also setup a Connect feedback form to capture your reaction to the product,bugs and suggestions as well as a newsgroup where you can discuss the preview with other beta testers.

All the pieces are in place,so don’t wait any longer. Download the preview and start testing with us!

Kevin Kean

General Manager

Windows Home and Small Business Server team

Leave a comment   General,SBS2011

Happy Father’s Day (Australia)

By BoonTee,on September 3rd,2010%

September 5 will be Father’s Day in Australia. This is a great video clip!
http://www.tangle.com/view_video.php?viewkey=ff9d5f014cd513df28fb&sp=1

Leave a comment   General,Useful Links

New Blog Site

By BoonTee,on September 2nd,2010%

I have now moved my blog to my own hosted WordPress site.

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Microsoft Most Valued Professional Award 2010

By BoonTee,on April 3rd,2010%
I received an email from Microsoft yesterday,presenting me with the 2010 Microsoft MVP Award for contributions in the Small Business Server technical communities.
 
From the website (mvp.support.microsoft.com) –The award recognises exceptional technical community leaders from around the world who foster the free and objective exchange of knowledge by actively sharing their real world expertise with users and Microsoft. Microsoft MVPs are a highly select group of experts representing technology’s best and brightest who share a deep commitment to community and a willingness to help others. Worldwide,there are over 100 million participants in technical communities;of these participants,there are fewer than 4,000 active Microsoft MVPs.
I am looking forward to this new level of partnership with Microsoft this year.
 
 
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