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New Version of Mobile Information Server is Last

Microsoft plans to move the mobile and wireless technology from the middleware server into upcoming versions of other servers -- Exchange Server and Internet Security and Acceleration Server.

News of C++ decline is an exaggeration

Despite a burst of attention directed at new languages like Java and C#, C++ use quietly continues to grow. At the same time, observers say .NET-driven changes in Microsoft's popular Visual C++ tool may alienate some C++ developers. Into this scene comes Borland Software Corp. with C++ Builder 6.

Microsoft Posts Patch for SNMP Vulnerability

Microsoft made a patch available to plug the security hole in Microsoft implementations of the SNMP service. After applying the patch, W2K and Windows XP users will not need to implement the workarounds detailed in an earlier bulletin on the industry-wide problem.

Symantec Consolidates Security Tools in Appliance

Symantec unveiled a new network security appliance, Symantec Gateway Security, that consolidates the features and capabilities of separate Symantec point products.

.NET Toolkits Released for SQL, BizTalk

Along with the formal launch of Visual Studio .NET on Wednesday, Microsoft issued two toolkits to help developers build XML Web services using SQL Server and BizTalk Server.

Gartner Blasts Microsoft on Security

The recall of Microsoft's Internet Explorer security patch prompts Gartner's John Pescatore to pin Microsoft's ears back again. Pescatore gained notoriety last year for advising IT managers to consider replacing IIS Web servers with Apache.

Security Firm Discloses Flaw in .NET Compiler

A feature added to a compiler in Visual Studio .NET to improve the security of Visual C++ .NET itself introduces the type of vulnerability -- a buffer overflow -- that it was designed to protect against, a Dulles, Va.-based security consultancy revealed Thursday.

SNMP Buffer Overrun Affects Windows

Microsoft advised users of its Windows server and client operating systems to disable the SNMP service if it is running because of a buffer overrun vulnerability in the industry-standard protocol.

HP Cuts Prices on IA-32 Servers, Appliances

HP dropped prices from 11 percent to 31 percent on some models of IA-32 dense servers and server appliances.

Microsoft Details New Developer Certifications

At the VSLive Conference in San Francisco, Microsoft has released official details on its long-awaited certifications.

Windows Tops Unix in Another Benchmark

Compaq is again pushing Windows 2000 into new scalability territory, on benchmarks at least. This time it's the TPC-H decision support benchmark.

Standards or Not, Microsoft and Sun to Remain at Odds

Microsoft formally launches its much-anticipated Visual Studio .NET integrated development environment today, making slightly more tangible the Web services concept many predict will soon become a lingua franca in enterprise computing circles. But Microsoft and longtime rival Sun remain at odds, which means developers will likely still struggle to find ways to build for both .NET and J2EE.

IBM Introduces Technology to Enhance Memory Performance

IBM this week began shipping an enhanced version of its rack-dense xSeries 330 server with a new technology that Big Blue claims makes the system perform as if it had twice the amount of memory it actually has installed. IBM plans to extend the technology to other xSeries servers.

EMC-Microsoft Tighten Relationship with Center

Storage giant EMC opens a Windows Competency Center for demonstrating storage networking best practices for the Windows platform and simulating customers' environments prior to production installations.

Six Days in February: Bulletin-Fest at Microsoft

After a slow start in 2002, Microsoft's security apparatus has been busy, issuing one security bulletin in late January and four more bulletins over a six-day period in February.

Critical IE Patches Released

Microsoft released a cumulative patch fixing three critical vulnerabilities for Internet Explorer Monday night.

What, You Got a Problem?! Call for Questions....

MCP Magazine's writers and editors turn their attention to solving your problems -- technical and professional.

AD Deployments Coming Along

The days when IT managers viewed the Active Directory as complex and mysterious may be fading. "They no longer see this as being dark magic," IDC analyst Al Gillen says. While IT infrastructures remains a long way away from comprehensive Active Directory deployments, the learning curve may be behind many administrators.

Exchange 2000: Slow Going for Active Directory's Killer App

Every new technology needs the proverbial killer app to get moving. Exchange 2000 Server is supposed to be the killer app for the Active Directory. The complexity inherent in both products, as well as Active Directory's slower-than-Microsoft-hoped-for uptake, has prevented Exchange 2000 from exploding onto the market. Some users are reaping benefits from the Exchange 2000/Active Directory combination, but many others don't believe any irrefutable business case has been presented for making the leap.

State of the OS: Windows 2000 at 2 Years

Windows 2000 turns two years old this month. The operating system continues to enjoy a reputation for reliability and stability, and Windows 2000 made significant scalability strides in 2001. Still migrations to the operating system continue to drag, and serious doubts have emerged about Microsoft's ability to secure its products. Considerable confusion also exists about the direction Microsoft is taking with the next versions of Windows.

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