ISA Server 2006 in Beta

Internet Security and Acceleration (ISA) Server 2006, now in beta and scheduled for release in the second half of 2006, is a minor update to Microsoft’s ISA Server 2004 firewall, virtual private networking, and content-caching product. It contains few architectural changes, but adds small features that ease administration and boost versatility. ISA Server 2006 precedes a more substantial upgrade that will depend on the next version of Windows Server (code-named Longhorn Server) and will likely include content-filtering technology recently acquired from FutureSoft.

Readers unfamiliar with ISA Server should see the sidebar “ISA Server Functions“.

Available in Two Editions and in Appliances

Like its predecessor, ISA Server 2004, ISA Server 2006 will come in Standard and Enterprise Editions.

Standard Edition is a lower-cost option for customers whose needs are met by a single ISA Server, or who have multiple firewalls or cache-only ISA Servers located at different points on their network but have no need to manage them as a single unit.