Build 1218 of SP1 has made its way onto the Windows Beta web site. Beta testers are queued up enmasse to be the 1st one on the block with this new build. Included features apparently are a major security update much like the forthcoming security updates we are expecting in XP SP2. Springboard is also becoming part of the Server 2003 family.

There is a brand spanking new firewall component included as SCW becomes the recommended way of configuring the the Windows server systems.

Apparently automatic port scan detection abilities as well as other non-default scenario cababilities will be included.

SCW has included definitions for over an estimated 60 different server roles as well as the old standbys such as Exchange, and the rest of the favorites. SQL Compliance analysis support is now included and more user friendly in its approach.

A more robust command line user support is also now included.

New support for:

IIS-specific settings

Audit policy settings

Additional registry values

Group Policy-based deployment of SCW-generated security policies

Inclusion of security INF templates.

Centralized knowledge base repository

Clustered environments

Multi-level rollback

are all features that appear more robust and user friendly at 1st glance.

As i peruse the Beta site there is also present for the beta testers new builds of AMD64; both Server 2003 and XP PRO. Having not had a chance to play with either at this time, i will withold comment until then. However if the last build of the AMD64 is any clue to the state of progress, we are rapidly approaching a full time usable 64 bit OS from Microsoft which will make the legions of anxious 64 bit cpu users break into an expectant smile.




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