ISA Server 2006 Ships

ISA Server 2006, the latest version of Microsoft’s firewall, virtual private networking, and content-caching product, which “launched” in June 2006, is finally shipping. Pricing and licensing remains unchanged from that of its predecessor, ISA Server 2004, except that the Enterprise Edition is now available in a deeply discounted 25-processor pack aimed at organizations that use ISA Server to connect branch offices to headquarters over the Internet.

A minor upgrade to ISA Server 2004, ISA Server 2006 incorporates numerous small changes that generally ease administrative tasks, add flexibility, and increase the number of specialized situations ISA Server can handle, such as supporting smart card or RSA token authentication methods. (For a detailed analysis of the new release, see “ISA Server 2006 in Beta” on page 16 of the Apr. 2006 Update.) Note that ISA Server 2006 does not include the DynaComm i:filter content filtering technology purchased from FutureSoft in Feb. 2006, nor does it included the secure sockets layer (SSL) virtual private networking technology obtained though Microsoft’s acquisition of Whale Communications in July 2006. Microsoft has yet to reveal when and in what form these technologies will ship.