Microsoft Hires Akamai To Thwart DoS Attacks
(contributed by Allen Jones, [email protected])
In the face of last week's attacks, Microsoft moved to prevent future denial of service (DoS) attacks by hiring Akamai Technologies to provide four DNS servers. Akamai is best known as a global Web-hosting company that boasts 8000 Internet content servers distributed across 55 countries. The company's current customers include such big names as Apple and Yahoo.
Microsoft Releases Corporate Preview of Portal Server
(contributed by Allen Jones, [email protected])
For some time, portal services have been a buzz word in the knowledge-management industry. Microsoft enters the fray with a release-candidate version of Microsoft SharePoint Portal Server 2001, formerly code-named Tahoe. Installation requires IIS 5.0. For more information, point your web browser to Microsoft's Web site.
Microsoft to Retire MCSE+I AND MCP+I Certifications
(contributed by Tim Huckaby, [email protected])
On February 28, Microsoft will retire its MCSE+Internet and MCP+Internet certification exams. The company plans to encompass the skill sets that these exams cover in the Windows 2000 exams. Participants who earn these levels of certification by February 28 will retain their certifications until December 31. Microsoft hasn't planned an upgrade certification path.
Although this news might disappoint some of you who have the +Internet certification, Microsoft's has good reasons for updating its certification qualifications. Up-to-date credentials assure organizations that when they hire an MCSE or an IT service provider with MCSEs on staff, they're getting the most technically proficient professionals available to help them transition to Win2K. To ensure that Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) credentials remain valuable, MCPs must be up to date on the most advanced technologies.
Although Microsoft will retire the certification on December 31, the skills and training required to earn this certification certainly won't be wasted—they can be applied toward the current MCSE certification, which incorporates many of the skills and job functions of professionals who enhance, deploy, and manage sophisticated intranet and Internet solutions. In addition, Microsoft .NET platform and Whistler (the next version of Win2K) exams will include even more of these skills.
To help MCSEs make a smooth transition, Microsoft is offering a free accelerated upgrade exam through December 31. The company will offer eligible candidates a voucher good for Exam 70-240: Microsoft Windows 2000 Accelerated Exam for MCPs Certified on Microsoft Windows NT 4.0. To protect exam integrity, eligible candidates will be able to take the accelerated exam only once.
For more information, visit Microsoft's Web site.
