14 DAY TRIAL // Windows 7 Beta is barely out the door and Microsoft is already offering additions for the next iteration of the Windows client. The Remote Server Administration Tools for Windows 7 are designed to integrate with Beta Build 7000, and permit the remote management of both roles and features on Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Server 2008, or Windows Server 2003 machines. According to Microsoft, the remote server management features are not new, and, in fact, the company has been already offering similar solutions for Windows 7 precursors, namely the Windows Server 2003 Administrative Tools Pack and Remote Server Administration Tools for Windows Vista with Service Pack 1 (SP1).
The software giant indicated that the Remote Server Administration Tools for Windows 7 included “Support for remote management of computers that are running either the Server Core or full installation options of Windows Server 2008 R2, and for some roles and features, Windows Server 2008. Some roles and features on Windows Server 2003 can be managed remotely by using Remote Server Administration Tools for Windows 7, although the Server Core installation option is not available with the Windows Server 2003 operating system.”
According to the Redmond company, the Remote Server Administration Tools will integrate exclusively with the Business, Enterprise, and Ultimate editions of Windows 7. However, fact is that Microsoft has already confirmed that there will be no Business SKU of Win7. Just as Windows Vista, Windows 7 will indeed have one of the editions tailored to business customers, but that will be labeled as Professional. The tools are provided for both the 32-bit and 64-bit versions of the Windows 7 client.
“Remote Server Administration Tools for Windows 7 should not be installed on a computer that is running the Windows Server 2003 Administration Tools Pack or Windows 2000 Server Administration Tools Pack. Remove all versions of Administration Tools Pack or Remote Server Administration Tools for Windows Vista SP1 from the computer, before you install Remote Server Administration Tools for Windows 7,” Microsoft informed. “Only one copy at a time of Remote Server Administration Tools for Windows 7 can be installed on a computer. Before you install a new package, remove any existing copies of Remote Server Administration Tools for Windows 7.”
Remote Server Administration Tools for Windows 7 are available for download here.
Windows 7 Beta is available for download here.