Microsoft previews SMB server with cloud features

 

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By Stewart Mitchell

Posted on 17 Aug 2010 at 16:02

Microsoft has announced that a preview of its Windows Small Business Server, codenamed “Aurora”, is available for download and will feature a focus on cloud computing.

Describing the preview as “a significant departure”, Microsoft said Aurora would be the company's first server product to deliver both in-house and cloud computing capabilities for small businesses.

Aurora is an entry-level operating system and applications pack designed for companies with around 25 employees that currently have no network or rely on peer-to-peer networking for accessing files in the office, said Microsoft, adding that a focus on back-up should help protect small companies from data loss.

According to Microsoft, Aurora should be able to organise automatic, daily backups of every computer and server on the network and, if problems with files arise, the customers will be able to restore individual files, folders, or an entire PC.

The most significant change is that Aurora will give each member of staff a personal web address through which they will be able to access computers and files from any web browser while on the road.

A beta version of the software is available from the Microsoft Connect website.