Talking about Value of Windows Platform

 

Value of Windows Platform:-

     This is my attempt to list out features and technologies available right out of the box in Windows Client and Server operating systems but often underutilized in enterprise environments.

Windows 7 & Windows Server 2008 R2 Offers Best Value

• Bit Locker drive encryption provides protection against the loss of data in lost or stolen laptops and removable storage devices
• Built-in backup tool provides file and folder level backups and restore.
• Windows 7 has advanced host based firewall, and an antispyware called Windows Defender built into it.
• For consumers, a free antivirus solution called Microsoft Security Essentials is available.
• Home group offers networking solution without requiring a server
• Free imaging tools. Images are independent of hardware platform and languages
• Multiple deployment options ranging from basic manual installation to zero touch installation
• Migration tools such as USMT and Windows Easy Transfer allows faster migration from older OS
• Supports centralized deployment of desktops using “Virtual Desktop Infrastructure”
• Windows Server has built-in hypervisor called Hyper-V and it supports Windows and Linux based virtual machines
• High availability solution is part of Hyper-V with no extra cost
• Hyper-V runs on wide range of servers based on Intel and AMD platform. Since Hyper-V is not restricted to specific server models, customers have more choice.
• A network access control technology called “Network Access Protection (NAP)” is available as part of Windows Server and Windows Client
• NAP is compatible with wide range of security products available in the market
• Next generation remote access solution using “Direct Access” technology available right out of the box
• Security hardening tools and best practices analyzers are available out of the box in Windows Server
• Free software update management tool for client & server operating systems and other Microsoft products
• File server has file classification infrastructure built into it. This allows efficient file classification and compliance management
• Branch office solutions like DFS, DFS-R, Branch Cache, RODC, Bit Locker for servers are available out of the box
• Server migration tools are available out of the box
• Power management features are available for both servers and clients in the form of group policies.