“Windows Management Framework” is here for Windows XP, Vista, Server 2003, 2008 – Remote Admin Power +10

Windows PowerShell Blog - Windows Management Framework is here!“

“Windows Management Framework, which includes Windows PowerShell 2.0, WinRM 2.0, and BITS 4.0, was officially released to the world this morning. By providing a consistent management interface across the various flavors of Windows, we are making our platform that much more attractive to deploy. IT Professionals can now easily manage their Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008, Windows 7, and Windows Server 2008 R2 machines through PowerShell remoting [GD: emphasis added] – that’s a huge win!

…”

Microsoft Support - Description of the Windows Management Framework on Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, Windows Vista, and Windows Server 2008

“This article describes the Windows Management Framework on Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, Windows Vista, and Windows Server 2008. The Windows Management Framework includes the following:

• Windows Remote Management (WinRM) 2.0
• Windows PowerShell 2.0
• Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS) 4.0

 

Windows Management Framework makes some updated management functionality in Windows 7 and in Windows Server 2008 R2 available to be installed on Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, Windows Vista, and Windows Server 2008. Windows Management Framework contains Windows Remote Management (WinRM) 2.0, Windows PowerShell 2.0, and Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS) 4.0.

WinRM 2.0

WinRM is the Microsoft implementation of WS-Management Protocol, a standard Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP)–based, firewall-friendly protocol that allows for hardware and operating systems from different vendors to interoperate. The WS-Management Protocol specification provides a common way for systems to access and exchange management information across an IT infrastructure.

WinRM 2.0 includes the following new features:

…

Windows PowerShell 2.0

Windows PowerShell is a command-line shell and scripting language that is designed for system administration and Automation. Built on the Microsoft .NET Framework, Windows PowerShell enables IT professionals and developers to control and automate the administration of Windows and applications.

New features that are introduced in Windows PowerShell 2.0 include the following:

…

BITS 4.0

BITS is a service that transfers files between a client and a server. BITS provides a simple way to reliably and politely transfer files over HTTP or HTTPS. File downloads and file uploads are supported. By default, BITS transfers files in the background, unlike other protocols that transfer files in the foreground. Background transfers use only idle network bandwidth in order to preserve the user’s interactive experience with other network applications, such as Internet Explorer. Foreground or typical transfers are also supported.

BITS 4.0 includes the following new features:

…

.”

Remote Admin goodness for older Microsoft OS’s = Good Thing

Now to see about getting this deployed in-house…

(via ActiveWin - Windows Management Framework Is Here)