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.
Reader Comments
Just to beat the Apple people to it:
"SBS, codenamed "Cougar""
See - Microsoft is copying everything. Now they're using big cats for the names of their products.
jersey72 -December 20, 2006
Cisco is also releasing products under the name iPhone. Looks like @pple will have to change its (i)tune when it comes to marketing.
anonymous -December 20, 2006
Cisco is also releasing products under the name iPhone. Looks like @pple will have to change its (i)tune when it comes to marketing.
anonymous -December 20, 2006
Paul, what do you mean by "next-generation"? Is this SBS based on Longhorn Server code? Or is it more like a pseudo-"Windows Small Business Server 2007 R3" type thing? Please clarify.
As for the iPhone comment, it's been stated by many insiders that Apple considers the device to be an iPod with phone capabilities added to it. That said "iPhone" wouldn't fit that description well.
Apple names their iPod line according to their specialities. "iPod" is the big, main iPod. "iPod Nano" for the small, svelte iPod. "iPod Shuffle" for the tiny player with random shuffling. Even a "(Product) Red iPod" to support the (Product) Red AIDs awareness campaign.
So what would an iPod that has added phone functionality be called? Easy: "iPod Phone." It's not rocket science.
vandil2 -December 20, 2006
"So what would an iPod that has added phone functionality be called? Easy: "iPod Phone." It's not rocket science."
Tell that to @pple. They filed a trademark application for the word "iPhone".
anonymous -December 20, 2006
hmm.. so the "iPod Phone" is Apple's foray into their own iTunes-connected phone eh? hmm.. so that must sit well with their partners that already offer those, like Motorola, and the various carriers that offer their phones with iTunes integration?
and i'm sure that that it's ok for Apple to do that, when Microsoft has had so much guff for "abandoning" the Plays-For-Sure partner channel (even though they said they have no plans to abandon it at all).
Waethorn -December 20, 2006
How about "ipod with phone and video" :)
dugbug -December 20, 2006
@vandil2
"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."
Longhorn server - how much clearer do you need it?
alanm999 -December 21, 2006
here's hoping that they're releasing it (SBS) in Standard and Premium flavours again.
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