Microsoft has created a new server, called Windows Essential Business Server 2008 (EBS), which combines management, messaging and security features into one integrated multi-server solution. The new server is targeted to midsize businesses with reduced IT staff personnel of 1 to 3 persons.
According to Microsoft:
Windows Essential Business Server 2008 is an enterprise-class server solution designed and priced for midsize businesses. Windows Essential Business Server 2008 provides a unified Administration Console to manage an integrated IT infrastructure with the latest versions of management, messaging, and security server technologies.
EBS is built on top of Windows Server 2008 and contains the following products:
- Windows Server 2008 Standard
- Microsoft System Center Essentials 2007
- Windows SharePoint Services 3.0
- Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 Standard Edition
- Microsoft Forefront Security for Exchange Server
- Microsoft Forefront Threat Management Gateway Medium Business Edition
- Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Standard Edition
EBS comes in two editions: Standard and Premium. Both editions have the following three servers: Management, Security and Messaging. The Premium Edition also has a Database Server represented by SQL 2008 Standard. Management Server contains the following components, according to TechNet:
User interface components
- Windows EBS Administration Console
- New User Account Wizard
- Install CAL Packs Wizard
Application components
- System Center Essentials monitoring and management component
- System Center Essentials update management and software deployment components
- Active Directory Domain Services components
- Domain Name System (DNS)
- DHCP Server service
- File and print services
- Exchange Server 2007 management tools
- Forefront TMG management tools
- Internet Information Services (IIS)
- Windows EBS licensing service
- Certificate services
Data management components
- Active Directory Domain Services database
- DNS data store
- Certificate store
- SQL Express database, which stores data for the following applications:
- Forefront security
- Forefront antivirus
- Forefront anti-spam
- Windows EBS management (Administration Console)
- System Center Essentials
- Windows EBS license store
- User shared files and folders
- Redirected Documents and My Documents folders
EBS' Security Server has the following components:
User interface components
- Forefront TMG console
- Exchange Server 2007 Edge Transport console
Application components
- Forefront TMG
- Exchange Server Edge Transport
- VPN
- Forefront Security for Exchange Server
Data management components
- Exchange Server 2007 data store
- Active Directory Lightweight Directory Services data stores for:
- Exchange Server Edge Transport
- Forefront TMG
- SQL Express database for Forefront TMG
The Messaging Server has the following components:
User interface components
- Exchange Server 2007 management tools
Application components
- Exchange Server 2007 Hub Transport
- Exchange Server 2007 Client Access Server
- Exchange Server 2007 Mailbox
- Terminal Services Gateway
- Active Directory Domain Services components
- DNS
- DHCP Server service
- IIS
- Remote Web Workplace
Data management components
- Active Directory Domain Services database
- DNS data store
- Exchange Server 2007 data store, which contains:
- Exchange Server 2007 Mailbox data
- Exchange Server 2007 logs
The official launch date is set for November 12, 2008. A click-through demo is available for download. The EBS site offers a Reviewer's Guide with detailed information about EBS. The Pricing Page offers detailed information on the price. The License Page explains the license.