WinInfo Daily Update, December 20, 2006: Microsoft Ships Betas of Next-Generation Small-, Medium-Sized Business Servers

Privacy. Compliance. International Data. Free WP
http://findtechinfo.com/bankinfo/nl/223

Visit our sponsor, who brings you WinInfo Daily Update:

==== SPONSOR: NetIQ

Privacy. Compliance. International Data. Free WP
Is your multinational company feeling mounting pressure trying to meet worldwide compliance regulations that protect personally identifiable information or PII? The timely Free White Paper: Privacy, Compliance and International Data Flows presents action steps needed to avoid legal problems today.

http://findtechinfo.com/bankinfo/nl/223

==== IN THE NEWS

- Microsoft Ships Betas of Next-Generation Small-, Medium-Sized Business Servers
- Microsoft Updates Zune Software for Vista

by Paul Thurrott, [email protected]

Microsoft Ships Betas of Next-Generation Small-, Medium-Sized Business Servers

This week, Microsoft shipped beta versions of its next-generation Windows Small Business Server (SBS--code-named Cougar) and Windows Medium Business Server (code-named Centro) products. These products are currently available only via private beta.

Both Cougar and Centro will be 64-bit products that run on only the x64 hardware platform. Cougar is the Longhorn-era version of SBS and includes integrated versions of Longhorn Server, Exchange Server 2007, SQL Server 2005, ISA Server 2006, Windows SharePoint Services, and System Center Essentials.

Centro is a similar product, but it's aimed at midsized businesses. Unlike SBS, Centro will be installable on multiple servers. The product includes versions of Longhorn Server, Exchange 2007, SQL Server 2005, ISA Server 2006, and System Center Essentials. Both Cougar and Centro are due out in 2008, after Microsoft ships the standalone versions of Longhorn Server.

Microsoft Updates Zune Software for Vista

On Tuesday, Microsoft shipped version 1.2 of its Zune client software, providing compatibility with Windows Vista and a slightly simpler installation process. When the Zune portable media player shipped last month, some reviewers complained that the initial public version of the product's software, version 1.1, didn't support Vista. However, with Vista not due for a consumer release until January 30, 2007, Microsoft had pledged to supply Vista support by that time. This update accomplishes that goal and presumably ends the pointless controversy.

With this update, Zune is now compatible with Windows XP Home Edition Service Pack 2 (SP2), XP Professional SP2, XP Tablet PC Edition 2005, XP Media Center Edition 2005, and all versions of Vista. Zune isn't compatible with the x64 version of XP or any versions of Windows Server 2003. Users who install the Zune software on Vista will also need to update the Zune firmware to version 1.2.

As I discussed in my Zunestory commentary ( http://www.itprotoday.com/article/showcase/zunestory.aspx ) earlier this month, Microsoft plans to ship several updates to its Zune player over time. For example, one of the pending updates will provide podcasting support.

For more information about Zune software and a free download, please visit the Zune Web site.

http://www.zune.net/en-us/meetzune/software.htm

==== EVENTS AND RESOURCES

Total Cost of Ownership--TCO--It’s every executive’s favorite buzzword, but what does it really mean and how does it affect you? In this podcast, Ben Smith explains how your organization can use virtualization technology to measurably improve the TCO for servers and clients.

http://www.windowsitpro.com/go/podcast/hp/virtualization/?code=1220emailannc

==== FEATURED WHITE PAPER

Branch offices need flexibility and autonomy in implementing IT solutions; corporate requirements require centralized management, security, and compliance initiatives. Learn to resolve these conflicts and reduce your operational costs for branch offices with limited IT resources. Download the free whitepaper today!

http://www.windowsitpro.com/go/whitepapers/microsoft/branchoffice/?code=1220featwp

BONUS: Register for any whitepaper from Windows IT Pro in the month of December, and be entered to win a Wii! Visit http://www.windowsitpro.com/whitepapers for more information and a complete whitepaper listing.

==== ANNOUNCEMENT

Holiday Offer - Save $40 off Windows IT Pro
Don't miss Windows IT Pro magazine in 2007! As a subscriber, you’ll have full access to must-have content covering Windows Vista deployment, virtualization & disaster recovery, Active Directory enhancements, the Office 2007 launch, SharePoint fundamentals and much more. Order now and save $40:

https://store.pentontech.com/index.cfm?s=1&promocode=eu206cuw

==== CONTACT US

About the newsletter -- [email protected]
About technical questions -- http://www.windowsitpro.com/forums
About product news -- [email protected]
About your subscription -- [email protected]
About sponsoring an UPDATE -- [email protected]

==== BY THE WAY

Be sure to add [email protected] to your list of allowed senders and contacts.

Take a look at all of our technology newsletters:

http://www.windowsitpro.com/email/

This email newsletter is by the same people who create Windows IT Pro Magazine every month. Check it out!

http://www.winnetmag.com/rd.cfm?code=00ep204xeb

http://www.windowsitpro.com/