Microsoft announces Exchange Server 2010 availability

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Today at the Microsoft Tech-Ed Europe 2009 conference in Germany, Microsoft Business Division President Stephen Elop announced that Microsoft Exchange Server 2010 is now available worldwide.

During an opening Keynote, Elop also announced the release of Forefront Protection 2010 for Exchange Server. Forefront provides better anti-spam and multi server management tools.

"Exchange Server 2010 customers are already reporting cost savings of up to 70 percent thanks to a simplified high-availability model and support for lower-cost storage. Customers are also seeing productivity gains of more than 20 percent with a universal inbox that delivers e-mail, voice mail, instant messaging and text messaging consistently across virtually any device," Elop said. "Together with Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2, the combined cost savings and improved productivity helps customers generate long-term business success."

Elop said more than 45,000 partners are trained on Windows Server 2008 R2 and Exchange Server 2010, with several partners announcing new services and solutions today, including AMD, Avanade, Dell, EMC, Kaspersky Lab, Symantec and Unisys.

Exchange 2010 is now available for MSDN and TechNet customers, a trial edition is available at http://www.thenewefficiency.com.

Exchange 2010 - TechNet Subscription Downloads

(2 replies) #1 barteh on 09 Nov 2009 - 15:07

Ive often wondered how they come up with these cost saving figures? thats bald claims.

#1.1 ccoltmanm on 09 Nov 2009 - 15:14

They have testimonials, not figures.

#1.2 rawr_boy81 on 09 Nov 2009 - 15:24

ccoltmanm said,

It would be interesting to see how much of it is related moving from one version to another versus moving from a competitors product to the new version. I would assume that it is a combination of both.

Although you have stated testimonies - I wouldn't be surprised if Microsoft did some study based on the average cost of employing a person specialised in that area and taking it consideration the improved features that result in greater productivity for the administrator and for end users through better uptime, reliability and so forth.

(2 replies) #2 +Emil Valsson on 09 Nov 2009 - 15:09

Wohoho, been waiting for this forever.

#2.1 Raa on 09 Nov 2009 - 22:23

Really? So 10 years ago you were waiting for this? Wow!

#2.2 +Emil Valsson on 10 Nov 2009 - 10:44

Ofcourse, we're always waiting for the next best thing aren't we?

#3 sunami on 09 Nov 2009 - 15:14

Downloading now, perfect timing as the new hardware for it just got to work today

#4 ccoltmanm on 09 Nov 2009 - 15:14

Microsoft is going in overdrive with companies lately!

#5 badblood on 09 Nov 2009 - 15:35

Nice one, can't wait to get this on the go.

#6 parisp on 09 Nov 2009 - 15:36

Exchange 2010 is a step forward, it improves outlook web access dramatically!! I have been running the RC for a few months now and it has been rock solid. Cant wait to upgrade to the final version. Any idea when it will be available to Action Pack Subscribers?

EDIT - It seems that Exchange Server 2010 Standard Edition is already available for Microsoft Action Pack Subscribers. should update to the final over the weekend!

(4 replies) #7 Tom W on 09 Nov 2009 - 15:38

Gotta upgrade my home server to 2008 and Exchange 2010

#7.1 agreenbhm on 09 Nov 2009 - 15:47

Def. go for R2.

#7.2 Tom W on 09 Nov 2009 - 15:54

yeah definitely planning to.

#7.3 Raa on 09 Nov 2009 - 22:23

Same... One day though. SBS'03 is still driving it just fine lol

#7.4 Thunderbuck on 10 Nov 2009 - 03:16

@Raa

Be REAL careful migrating from SBS '03 to '08. MS' recommended procedure runs 80 pages...

(6 replies) #8 agreenbhm on 09 Nov 2009 - 15:58

Ok, just went to TechNet to download. Unfortunately for me there's no cd key. It says "This product is pre-pidded". I wonder if I can do a repair installation to install the key (since I'm already running RTM, but currently without a key).

Anyone know? Or am I better off installing a new Exchange server and then uninstalling the old one?

#8.1 Tom W on 09 Nov 2009 - 15:59

Probably better off not downloading illegal versions of Exchange 2010 in the 1st place.

#8.2 agreenbhm on 09 Nov 2009 - 16:11

Tom W said,

Thanks, that's helpful

How is it illegal if I have a TechNet subscription? I just downloaded it before it was publicly released.

#8.3 +Frazell Thomas on 09 Nov 2009 - 16:20

agreenbhm said,

The copy you downloaded was illegal... Hense the comment...

You took the risk now suck it up and deal with it

#8.4 agreenbhm on 09 Nov 2009 - 22:21

FYI to anyone who cares, the leaked copy is the same as the TechNet RTM. There is a problem with the "pre-pidded" software (others are having the same issue as I am).

#8.5 Raa on 09 Nov 2009 - 22:24

Then they too, should not be using illegal software. Regardless of the source.

#8.6 agreenbhm on 09 Nov 2009 - 23:10

Raa said,

You're missing the point. The software that is supposedly pre-pidded is not actually pidded, or at least it is malfunctioning if it is. Someone on TechNet installed the RC and was trying to install the RTM (that he got legally through TechNet) and had the same error (Exchange requesting a product key).

(6 replies) #9 ManOfMystery on 09 Nov 2009 - 15:59

Wonderful! Microsoft going all 64-bit (at least for their server software line) is a great step forward that indicates that their next version of Windows will possibly follow. I mean why not? Pretty much every processor sold in the last 4 years has been 64-bit capable so it isn't like we aren't ready.

#9.1 +Chicane-UK on 09 Nov 2009 - 16:11

I didn't think Atom CPU's were 64bit.... or are they?

#9.2 agreenbhm on 09 Nov 2009 - 16:12

Definitely a step in the right direction.

#9.3 +Frazell Thomas on 09 Nov 2009 - 16:21

ManOfMystery said,

MS has been 64bit only on the server side for a long while. Exchange 2007 was only supported in a 64bit flavor.

#9.4 Jugalator on 09 Nov 2009 - 17:07

I'm not sure why it's so common to worry about Microsoft also supporting 32-bit software? That doesn't make the 64-bit versions worse. They're doing conditional compiles of the products they're rolling out, if they are to support both platforms. The 64-bit versions don't get any "junk" intended for the 32-bit builds, as long as the Microsoft developers have any sort of skill. It's not wasting money and resources for them either, since if it was, they wouldn't do it. They obviously make a profit on supporting two platforms where they do, and where they no longer will make one, they won't do it anymore. As simple as that. Why worry? Not our headache, and not something we suffer from. It's as if many wrongly believe that 64-bit compiles come with a ton of cruft only really useful for 32-bit builds, but that's not how it works at all.

#9.5 Raa on 09 Nov 2009 - 22:25

Exchange 2007 operated in 32bit mode when upgraded from Exchange 2003.
For a LOT of people still running legacy 32 bit systems without 64bit compatibility, this is the only way they can go. If they don't have Exchange 2003, then no 2007!

#9.6 +Frazell Thomas on 09 Nov 2009 - 23:53

Exchange 2007 in 32bit mode was NOT a supported deployment configuration. The 32bit version was only to be used in test environments and never in production.

Exchange Server 2007 is designed to be a stable, reliable enterprise messaging platform that delivers the fundamentals of e-mail and calendaring while providing innovative new capabilities. These new capabilities make the messaging system more cost effective and scalable for your organization and at the same time more productive for users accessing the system. Simply put, given the new capabilities of Exchange Server 2007, Microsoft could not guarantee a high-quality 32-bit version.

http://www.microsoft.com/exchange/2007/eva...pquestions.mspx

It is not supported to install Exchange 2007 server roles on a computer that has a 32-bit processor in a production environment. You can install Exchange 2007 server roles on a computer that has a 32-bit processor in testing and training environments only.

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa996719.aspx

#10 ]SK[ on 09 Nov 2009 - 17:04

Something to install at work tomorrow then. Nice.

(1 reply) #11 Fish on 09 Nov 2009 - 17:37

savings of up to 70 percent thanks to a simplified high-availability model and support for lower-cost storage

Does anybody know what this actually means, because to me it seems like a bunch of random words put together to make a sentence. If I went to my boss and quoted this as a reason to upgrade our server, he would stare at me blankly. Seriously, I'd like to know, because this is just marketing drivel, and unless I can decipher what is being said here, then the old adage of "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" surely applies.

#11.1 +Chicane-UK on 09 Nov 2009 - 18:29

What it's saying is you can put in the infrastructure on less servers and still make the product highly available.. and it supports cheaper storage to do the same job thus bringing the overall costs of an Exchange implementation down.

#12 RebateMonger on 09 Nov 2009 - 18:13

Microsoft is killing its support base. Changes are coming so fast that those who install and support the software don't have time to get in-depth training or experience with each generation of software. There will be more and more software installations where the installer has never even SEEN that version of software before.

(1 reply) #13 +Frazell Thomas on 09 Nov 2009 - 18:55

Now to figure out why it is telling me I have Exchange 2007 SP2 or earlier installs on my AD domain... All of our servers are running Exchange 2007 SP2 :|

#13.1 Joel on 10 Nov 2009 - 14:04

Because you're running SP2 or earlier, exactly like it says? You just said you're running SP2; that's what the message is telling you also.

(2 replies) #14 +Emil Valsson on 09 Nov 2009 - 19:44

Hum, how come there is no productkey with the download at Technet?

#14.1 Raa on 09 Nov 2009 - 22:25

It's pre-id'ed apparently?

#14.2 +Emil Valsson on 09 Nov 2009 - 22:58

Not for me, I downloaded it from Technet and it asks for a key.

(1 reply) #15 torrentthief on 09 Nov 2009 - 19:51

what is the md5 hash of the .iso please?

#15.1 GreyWolfSC on 10 Nov 2009 - 19:16

No need for a hash... you can get the trial version here or purchase it here.

(3 replies) #16 torrentthief on 09 Nov 2009 - 20:20

does this require online activation or will a serial register it?

#16.1 Raa on 09 Nov 2009 - 22:26

Im hesitant to reply with a name like yours

#16.2 Shiranui on 10 Nov 2009 - 01:20

Wahahaa

#16.3 n_K on 10 Nov 2009 - 10:04

LOL

#17 Electric Jolt on 09 Nov 2009 - 20:56

It's been out on the Interwebs for sometime now...

But I guess pirate availability is a whole other subject compared to public availability.

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