News
Beta 1 of SP2 for Windows Server 2003 Begins
Microsoft announced it has begun shipping Beta 1 of Service Pack 2 for Windows
Server 2003 and Windows XP Professional x64 edition. However, the beta is billed
as "private."
The service pack focuses on the "fundamentals of improving security,
reliability, performance, compatibility, interoperability, management and deployment,"
the company said in a statement.
SP2 includes all current security updates for Windows Server 2003, as well
as all previously released hotfixes aimed at addressing issues uncovered by
specific customers after SP1 shipped.
In addition, SP2 adds limited functional changes meant to improve deployment,
management and security, or adds new hardware support. These include Scalable
Networking Pack (SNP) and Wi-Fi Protected Accdess 2 (WPA2), the company said.
Because the update contains no major changes, Microsoft officials anticipate
SP2 will have minimal impact on users and administrators in terms of testing
and deployment. Versions are available for x86, x64 and Itanium releases of
Windows Server 2003.
Microsoft said the service pack is set for release towards the end of the year,
but cautioned that quality will determine timing of the release and not vice
versa.
About the Author
Stuart J. Johnston has covered technology, especially Microsoft, since February 1988 for InfoWorld, Computerworld, Information Week, and PC World, as well as for Enterprise Developer, XML & Web Services, and .NET magazines.