TechEd: Server Logos, Vista Tools

Equally significant, Microsoft made available new Vista deployment tools, which could be in possible anticipation that Windows Server 2008 won't really be available until next year.

The Windows Server 2008 logos are significant, although they would have been more appropriately announced at last month's WinHEC (Windows Hardware Engineering Conference). They are:

• "Works with Windows Server 2008" is the logo I'm sure every IT manager would want on his or her products (Yes, I'm being sarcastic). The first logo doesn't require the same level of rigorous application testing as the second. Less testing doesn't instill much confidence when server uptime goal is all nines.
• "Certified for Windows Server 2008," is the more exciting of the two logo programs—at least for enterprises. Rigorous testing can be a hardship on developers, although Microsoft claims its new programs reduce certification costs by 50 percent. Microsoft is providing certification tools and information at the Innovate on Windows Server Web site, which, by the way, wouldn't load properly on either Firefox 2.0.0.4 or Internet Explorer 7 because of a CSS (cascading stylesheet) syntax error.

In fairness, the logo certifications are a step forward. Microsoft's Windows and Windows Server logo programs needed fixing. Microsoft allowed for too much software developer self-certification. The new logo programs for both operating systems put in more rigorous certification mechanisms, which would benefit developers and customers.

"We are exceeding our initial expectations for [independent software developer] participants in the Certified for Windows Server 2008 early access program, which is a testament to the excitement amongst partners for our products and the value we place on their input," Steve Bell, senior product manager in the Windows Server group, said in a statement."

Growth rate is "50 percent per week," he added.

By the way, the Microsoft press release quoting Bell reads more like an eWEEK news story than PR announcement. It's a slick production.

"When" is the big question hanging over Windows Server 2008, and that's not covered by the news story-like press release. Analysts talk of a "Big Bang" of infrastructure upgrades following the server software's release.

Some Microsoft Watch readers agree. In comments to the late-April post about the Big Bang theory, Chad Ingles, a senior infrastructure analyst based in Ontario, Canada who supports about 5000 windows desktop and laptop clients, expressed:

"I think the big bang strategy for infrastructure is intended to reduce the impact on the rest of the business. Rather than change things continuously over a couple of years worth of projects and rollouts, change everything as quickly as possible so that internal customers can get back to being productive and stay that way until the next major roll-out. There is a huge value in having a mostly homogeneous environment as well."

Rather than deploy all at once, many organizations may see Windows Server Longhorn as the starting point. Timing could be best for companies delaying regular PC deployments for Vista. Last month, an InStat survey found that many enterprises planning regular new PC purchases are delaying to test and deploy Vista.

For those businesses evaluating Vista, Microsoft announced new deployment tools (some were available earlier). They are:

• Windows Vista Test Drive, which offers 30-day virtualized Business or Enterprise versions for testing. It's quite trendy now for Microsoft to offer virtualized tests of new products. The mechanism removes some of the installation messiness, like drivers, while letting IT organizations put the software in a production environment without mucking up the production.
• Data Encryption Kit for Mobile PCs, which offers guidance for EFS (Encrypting File System) BitLocker drive encryption. Microsoft makes big deal out of BitLocker, but it's only available with the Enterprise and Ultimate Vista versions, whereas EFS comes with XP Pro and Visa Business and Home Premium. Whichever mechanism, Microsoft provides pretty good guidance, particularly for conducting security analyses and implementing either security technology.
• Windows Vista-ready components of the Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack for Software Assurance, which is too darn long a name. On July 1, Microsoft will release MDOP tools, which are really designed for Software Assurance customers. Since its 2003 product release cycle, Microsoft has increasingly aligned new product releases, new software versions, new CALs (client-access licenses) and cross-integrated product features with volume licensing. Bottom line: Customers that buy into Software Assurance potentially pay much less than those that don't (with all kinds of caveats around typical upgrade cycles and whether shops are mostly or all-Microsoft).
• Application Compatibility Factory, which is a Web site/toolset for connecting businesses to solution providers offering Vista compatibility and remediation services.

The tools follow another large set released in February.

Related Posts:

• Longhorn Server Comes When?, Microsoft Watch, June 5, 2007
• PDC R.I.P. Means 'What?', Microsoft Watch, May 25, 2007
• Some Enterprises Will Delay PC Purchases for Vista, Microsoft Watch, May 23, 2007
• Longhorn Named Windows Server 2008, Microsoft Watch, May 15, 2007
• What's Inside Windows Server Longhorn, Microsoft Watch, April 30, 2007
• Microsoft's 'Big Bang' Is When?, Microsoft Watch, April 26, 2007
• Viridian Delay Foreshadows What About Windows Longhorn Server?, Microsoft Watch, April 12, 2007
• What's the Worth of Free Vista Tools?, Microsoft Watch, Feb. 20, 2007
• Windows Server Takes the Lead, Microsoft Watch, Nov. 16, 2006