Microsoft Refreshes 'Longhorn,' Delivers First 'Centro' Beta and 'Cougar' CTP

Published: January 10, 2007

by Alex Woodie

Late last month, Microsoft delivered a new build of Windows Server "Longhorn," the new version of Windows Server due to ship later this year. The software juggernaut also delivered the first bits for "Cougar" and "Centro," the codenames for the Longhorn-era versions of Small Business Server and its new mid size counterpart.

The new build, which Microsoft refers to as the December Community Technology Preview (CTP), is the first update of the Longhorn product since the middle of September, when Microsoft shipped the August CTP. The December CTP is referred to as build number 6001.16406.

Despite the delays in getting Longhorn's sibling, Windows Vista, out the door, Microsoft is sticking to its guns and insists that it will deliver Longhorn by the end of the year. But there's a lot of testing yet to be done, and if history is any guide, the real odds of Microsoft making the ship date have to questioned.

The Longhorn test is currently a private affair, and only MSDN and TechNet subscribers are allowed to download the product. However, Microsoft is adamant that it will ship a third beta release of Longhorn that will be available to the public. The first beta of Longhorn shipped in July 2005, and the second beta shipped in May 2006.

Microsoft's Windows Server division, in its blog, reiterated its commitment to deliver Longhorn Beta 3 during the first half of 2007. Microsoft is encouraging interested parties to preregister to be notified of the availability of Longhorn Beta 3 by filling out a form at its Beta Central Web site.

While Longhorn won't include the new Windows File System (WinFS), which was cut from the program to hasten development, it will include some notable enhancements, including new security features like Network Access Protection; Server Core, or the capability to turn various components on or off depending on the server's role; a new Web server, IIS 7.0; performance improvements to Terminal Services; and a brand spanking new TCP/IP stack that's expected to pair very well with Vista.

Cougar and Centro

Longhorn isn't the only animal still locked up in the Redmond barn. 'Softies have also been busy mixing up new "all in one" software packages that are based on Longhorn, Exchange, and SQL Server, and are designed to match the needs of two specific groups of people: small businesses and mid size businesses.

Microsoft last month issued its first CTP of the Longhorn-era versions of Windows Small Business Server, which goes by the codename Cougar, and which will include Windows Server, Exchange Server 2007, Windows SharePoint Services, ISA Server, SQL Server, and System Center Essentials. The Cougar CTP is only available to a select few partners and OEMs at this point, but we'll keep an eye out for the first public beta.

Also in December, Microsoft issued the first beta of Centro, the codename for Microsoft's first crack at delivering Windows Mid Size Business Server, or whatever the product will eventually be named. Centro will include Windows Server, Exchange Server 2007, System Center Essentials, SQL Server, ISA Server, and Microsoft Forefront security tools. Whereas the Cougar product will max out at 75 users, Centro will comfortably seat 500.

Microsoft first revealed its intentions to deliver Centro more than a year ago, and actually put together a bundle that included Windows Server 2003 and other products, which it referred to as its "mid size business promotion." Centro will be another beast entirely.

Like the Cougar CTP, the Centro beta is not yet open to the public. Microsoft said last month that these products will ship in 2008 (Microsoft hasn't yet updated its Windows Server product roadmap, which still has these products shipping later this year).

Both Centro and Cougar will be delivered as 64-bit products (Microsoft says "x64," but it's really 64-bit only); 32-bit versions should not be expected.

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