Three new programs for Windows .NET Server will help customers and partners evaluate the product and verify that it will work with their applications. The transition of Microsoft's upcoming server operating system from beta to release candidate signals that all of its features have been coded, the code is beginning to stabilize, and it is entering final testing. To prepare for release to manufacturing late this year, Microsoft has started an open customer preview program, created an enterprise application testing center, and updated the Windows Server certification program.

Customer Preview Program

Microsoft is expanding the previously closed Windows .NET Server beta program to an open Customer Preview Program (CPP). Starting with Release Candidate 1, anyone can evaluate Windows .NET Server by either downloading a free copy or ordering a CD for a nominal shipping cost. However, as the preview code is still unstable and limited to 360 days, and support is only available via newsgroups, customers should test it thoroughly before using the release candidate in production.

Under the CPP, customers may be entitled to upgrade to subsequent release candidates, but the final version of Windows .NET Server is not included in the preview program and will be licensed separately.

Enterprise Engineering Center

Microsoft has worked with Dell, EMC, Hewlett-Packard, IBM, and Unisys to create an Enterprise Engineering Center (EEC) where businesses can test their line-of-business applications on Windows .NET Server. Similar to the porting labs that the Developer Relations Group used to help third-party commercial software developers prepare their software for early versions of Windows, this lab allows corporate developers to test their applications, work with Microsoft developers and program managers to resolve any problems, and provide Microsoft with feedback on Windows .NET Server.

The EEC allows Microsoft to ensure customers’ critical applications will run on Windows .NET Server and that the platform will be seen as a viable application server. For example, the EEC will provide feedback on improvements to Internet Information Server (IIS) and the locking down of some services to increase security. These could affect backward compatibility with some applications.

Certification Program

The Certified for Windows .NET Server program, operated by VeriTest, an independent testing organization, is designed for commercial software developers who want to certify that their applications are well behaved on Windows .NET Server. Under the current certification program for Windows 2000 Server, 107 vendors have certified 191 applications on Windows, Advanced, and Datacenter Servers. Included in the certified applications are 13 Microsoft .NET Enterprise servers, including versions of Application Center, BizTalk, Commerce Server, Exchange, and SQL Server.

The core sections of the Windows .NET Server certification are complete, but minor changes are possible after early adopters (currently 30 vendors are signed up as early adopters) begin testing in Oct. 2002. Anyone developing applications for Windows .NET Server should review the certification criteria, because the certification document outlines best practices and common pitfalls when designing and coding applications for the Windows server family. This is true even for developers who do not plan on submitting their application to VeriTest for certification, but who want to ensure that their applications are compatible with new versions of Windows.

Resources

For information on the Corporate Preview Program, see www.microsoft.com/windows.netserver/preview/.

For information on the Enterprise Engineering Center, send e-mail to askeec@microsoft.com.

For information on the Certified for Windows .NET Server program, see www.veritest.com/mslogos/cfw/.

For the catalog of applications currently certified for Windows 2000 Server, see www.veritest.com/certified/win2000server/.

For the Windows 2000 certification specification, see msdn.microsoft.com/certification/download.asp.