31
Dec
2009
A Year in Review
As we call in the end of the year it’s worth looking back at some of the product launches for the year initially and then some major events that made 2009 in IT.
1. Microsoft Windows 7
I doubt you’ll find anyone who wouldn’t put the launch of Windows 7 at the top of their list. Many regard Windows 7 as the OS that Vista should have been. However without Vista, Windows 7 would not have been what it is. Arguably the most important operating system release since XP Windows 7 has received acclaim from Industry experts and IT Professionals across the globe.
2. Exchange 2010
Despite the name Exchange 2010 launched this year and includes a number of architectural changes from the previous version. Firstly the storage engine has been re-written to improve the performance of Exchange on low cost Enterprise SATA disk. High availability has also had a major work with the introduction of Database Availability Groups (DAGs) and MAPI on the Middle Tier. From a client perspective speech to text voicemail, moderated DL’s, mail tips and Enterprise availability sharing through the Microsoft Federated Gateway add some nice new features.
3. Windows Server 2008 R2
Built on the 6.1 Kernel (the same as Windows 7) Windows Server 2008 R2 is significant as it’s only available as a 64-bit release. Windows Server 2008 R2 also introduces new Active Directory features, and a bunch of new features such as Direct Access and Branch Cache, that make Windows Server 2008 R2 and Windows 7 better together.
4. VMWare vSphere 4.0
vSphere is an important release and the new name of ESX Server. vSphere and vCentre have introduced features including thin provisioning and integration with Nexus completely integrating the Virtual Infrastructure seamlessly with the datacentre. Additional features also include Distributed switching and Fault Tolerance.
5. Microsoft Security Essentials
Put very simply, it’s a free Anti Malware solution for Windows. I’m using it on multiple Windows 7 and Windows Vista boxes and for home environments I strongly recommend it.
6. Forefront Threat Management Gateway
The update to ISA Server, TMG is the first gateway solution from Microsoft that runs in 64-bit. I won’t dive into TMG too much at this point as I’ll be posting about it shortly.
7. 64-bit
64-bit computing is not new however 2009 and particularly Windows 7 has started to get a lot of home users and Enterprises considering the move to 64-bit in the datacentre and on the desktop.
8. Twitter
Twitter moved from the corner of IT geeks and celebrities further into the mainstream and if Ruby Rose’s comments are anything to go by it’s now on the way out. The micro-blogging service has changed the way many communicate. If you want to know what’s happening get on Twitter. If you want to find out what’s already happened enjoy Facebook.
9. The NBN. How could I leave the National Broadband Network off the list of the 2009. To date I believe the NBN has been nothing but a waste of time and tax payers money. The majority of the news around the NBN has been to do with the members of the board rather then the technology, benefits and costs to the Australian Families. Personally I think that the NBN will be a disaster unless Industry experts are bought in and the politics and bureaucracy removed. The NBN whilst new for Australia is not a new concept with countries around the world already providing fast internet access to the home. More attention should be payed to the technologies already available and in use internationally. Get it right Rudd, remove the politics and get the right people working on a solution.
I’m leaving it at 9 events and launches for the year as it’s 2009. Happy New Year all.