Coming Soon: Windows Live OneCare for Server
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News Brief. Microsoft plans to release a version of its Windows Live OneCare suite for servers. |
Steven VanRoekel, senior director of Windows Server Product Solutions, and I discussed the new product in a Microsoft Watch podcast posted today.
"This is something new," VanRoekel said. "Windows Live OneCare for Server is a one-year server anti-virus engine."
The software will be bundled with Small Business Server and Essential Server 2008 editions, along with a one-year subscription to Forefront for Exchange. "We've taken a different tact on connecting subscription services with the core infrastructure," VanRoekel said about the bundling.
I asked if Microsoft planned to extend Windows Live OneCare for Server bundling to the desktop.
"No. We're not doing any client AV with this wave. We think that's part of the partner opportunity with the product," VanRoekel said.
The Microsoft senior director didn't discuss discreet pricing, but Windows Live OneCare for Server would be part of the purchase price of the new small business and midmarket server software.
I asked about discreet pricing because Microsoft will offer the software for at least one other product: Windows Server 2008 Standard Edition.
"As far as other support across the server SKUs, I'm not part of that group, and they haven't made announcements of that yet," VanRoekel said. "But it's something I definitely think that they're looking at.
Windows Live OneCare's move up to the server stack is perplexing, given its desktop origins and consumer branding. How seriously will businesses take software that's brand is associated with consumers? Answer: They'll take it. Whether or not they use the software may depend more on the channel.
Microsoft's Small Business Server and Essential Business Server bundling strategy assures that SMBs will get the software/service with 12-month subscription. My prediction: Many smaller businesses will either take the software or follow Microsoft recommendations.
The product strategy reveals what Microsoft wanted to do with Windows: Bundle anti-virus into Vista and/or offer Windows Live OneCare client for free. It has been my strong belief that Microsoft didn't bundle anti-virus because of its antitrust trouble here and abroad.
Comments (9)
Joe;
Thanks, but no thanks -- I'll stick with Symantec's EndPoint Security 11.00 to watch over my servers...
Posted by Douglas S. Taylor | February 20, 2008 4:39 PM
Douglas, normally i'd agree with you on this without argument, but i've had nothing but problems with Endpoint.
First the SEP Manager downloads definitions and never deletes them until the server runs out if disk space. Then SEP Manager refuses to acknowledge new clients. Then clients stop updating due to a corrupt decomposer update... gah...!
That said I'd rather perform DIY anal surgery than subject myself to Windows Live OneCare on a biz network... but seeing as it's bundled i'm luckily not burdened with making that choice - wohoo!
Posted by whatever | February 20, 2008 5:55 PM
@Whatever
First off, I appreciate your candor and sorry about the EndPoint problems. I know in the beginning there were some (painful) problems like it killed my WiFi so I lost 3 laptops in the process and was forced to roll back to Symantec AntiVirus (the corp version I do not deal with anal, I mean annual subscriptions.
I contacted Symantec and this was a known issue and within a couple of weeks, a new update and a letter came to me in email. At that time, I was running EndPoint only as client installs with local or unmanaged configuration -- Follow?
Then on one lonely night after reading Joe's latest article while waiting for Enterprise Server 2008 x64 to install. I then downloaded the white paper and manual on EndPoint (since I purchased the online downloadable version) and began configuring the server as my EndPoint Server after configuring the IIS 7.0 painlessly. Utilizing my PCAnywhere I woke up all my client machines -- The machines cannot be asleep for EndPoint to update and manage them. I switched all machines to be managed after completing the essential policies which rolled out on all of them, including the laptops. WiFi and everything works!
When I plug a new machine into the network, walla! It's updated perfectly. Though, I must admit it took some reading and configuring. Makes my IT life much easier. I swear by it, and of course, I did however, swear at it in the beginning.
I do have an Ububtu box, and EndPoint has a linux portion to the software, but I didn't mess with that (yet).
Thanks for your comment though!
Posted by Douglas S. Taylor | February 20, 2008 6:14 PM
Well, Windows Home Server, used as a backup server for homes and small enterprises, is currently based on Windows SBS 2003. So, if they want to fully protect consumers, it makes sense to have OneCare for SBS Server.
Posted by S. Niemeyer | February 22, 2008 5:32 AM
discreet: having or showing discernment or good judgment in conduct and especially in speech : prudent
discrete: constituting a separate entity : individually distinct
Spellcheck is a lousy substitute for a good editor.
Posted by Brad C. | February 26, 2008 8:52 PM
It took me 2 hours to download and fix the
security on Windows live one care. I tried to
figure out Silverlight but could not.
I kept putting in my email address and password,
which was rejected over and over,
but,
now I have it all worked out and it works real
good. I like it.
What I do not agree with is Microsoft MAY charge
me for it when I have Qwest MSN and Windows live
came with it, and I called them and they did not
mention I would be charged. That was when I
asked them about Windows Live. It just came out and I had Qwest for over a year.
I may call them again to see if I have to pay a
price for having it for a year. I do not know what Endpoint security is. I never heard of it.
I have excellent security with Windows Live.
Good luck to all of the people who want
Windows Live. It is good to work with, so
I give Microsoft an A-
CMW
Posted by CAROLYN | February 27, 2008 2:20 PM
I've received e-mail from my acquaintance with invitation to Harkness Private Foundation investment program, I'm investing since 2002 in different HYIP and small investment projects, and I would like to receive some general feedback from anyone who've used HPF's services, and received payment (s) thanks.
Posted by rhibranen | April 1, 2008 2:52 AM
Hi!
Without taking into account the issue of establishing a stone by God, which he won't be able to pick up, how do you think, may be something in this world, what can God never see?
Posted by Alfagreyus | April 10, 2008 10:50 PM
If your looking for even more information on PC security then I would head over here as they have plenty of stuff on identity theft, antivirus software etc.
Posted by PC Security | June 13, 2008 11:25 PM