Microsoft Centro: Is it right for you?

NETWORK WORLD NEWSLETTER: DAVE KEARNS ON WINDOWS NETWORKING TIPS
09/21/05
Today's focus: Microsoft Centro: Is it right for you?

Dear networking.world@gmail.com,

In this issue:

* Why Centro isn't earth-shattering news
* Links related to Windows Networking Tips
* Featured reader resource
_______________________________________________________________
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Today's focus: Microsoft Centro: Is it right for you?

By Dave Kearns

Microsoft's recent announcement of the new mid-market server
bundle, codenamed Centro, isn't exactly earth-shattering news.

Slated for release late next year, or early in 2007, the Centro
package will include the next version of Windows Server software
(the so-called Longhorn server) along with the at-that-time
current version of Exchange server. Added to the mix will be the
next version of ISA Server and the new System Center management
technologies, which includes software for patch deployment and
monitoring of the desktop and server.

The package is designed to be deployed by Microsoft channel
partners on two to three hardware servers. It will also be
available as "software only" for those who wish to build and
deploy their own platforms. Microsoft's thought, though, is that
while midsize organizations have a separate IT department and IT
budget, the department is stretched thin and the budget is
usually only a sketchy structure. Using the consulting and
design expertise of the channel partners will result in better
efficiency and performance.

Do you buy that logic?

Given that Redmond believes that Longhorn server and Exchange
server belong in every organization (they're also the core of
the Small Business Server I talked about last week), what's
different about Centro? Well, it's that security and monitoring
stuff. Doesn't everybody need security? Shouldn't every one do
patch deployment as well as hardware monitoring?

There's also Microsoft's definition of "midsize," which is an
organization with from 25 to 500 desktops. But a company with 25
desktops also fits into the "small business" definition thus the
need to specify that midsize enterprises have a full-time,
dedicated IT staff.

There are different needs for organizations with full-time IT,
part-time IT and out-sourced IT. But the differences within each
of those niches can vary more than the difference between them.

While one size fits all isn't the answer, assuming that everyone
wears either S, M or L isn't correct either. You really
shouldn't buy your network, applications and services "off the
rack" but should be sure to customize everything so that it fits
your organization. Sure, that often means buying a so-called
"boxed" product, but it should be the boxed product that fits in
with your ideas for the organization, not the ideas that
determined some "bundle" is everything you need.

Unless Centro will come with a price advantage (or some
exclusive parts), then it's no more than a marketing gimmick and
one you should probably avoid.

The top 5: Today's most-read stories

1. McAfee, Omniquad top anti-spyware test
<http://www.networkworld.com/nlwnt6903>

2. Security technology targets the LAN
<http://www.networkworld.com/nlwnt7469>

3. The rise of the IT architect
<http://www.networkworld.com/nlwnt7033>

4. Cisco targets SMBs with convergence
<http://www.networkworld.com/nlwnt7470>

5. DemoFall preview <http://www.networkworld.com/nlwnt7471>

_______________________________________________________________
To contact: Dave Kearns

Dave Kearns is a writer and consultant in Silicon Valley. He's
written a number of books including the (sadly) now out of print
"Peter Norton's Complete Guide to Networks." His musings can be
found at Virtual Quill <http://www.vquill.com/>.

Kearns is the author of three Network World Newsletters: Windows
Networking Tips, Novell NetWare Tips, and Identity Management.
Comments about these newsletters should be sent to him at these

respective addresses: <mailto:windows@vquill.com>,
<mailto:netware@vquill.com>, <mailto:identity@vquill.com>.

Kearns provides content services to network vendors: books,
manuals, white papers, lectures and seminars, marketing,
technical marketing and support documents. Virtual Quill
provides "words to sell by..." Find out more by e-mail at
<mailto:info@vquill.com>
_______________________________________________________________
This newsletter is sponsored by HP
FROM THE NETWORK CORE TO THE NETWORK EDGE

Traffic management becomes critical as your network
infrastructure expands to support different types of traffic and
users. Most traffic management solutions have serious
limitations: too expensive, difficult to use, and overly taxing
on bandwidth. However ProCurve Networking by HP addresses these
requirements, overcomes the limitations of other solutions, and
gives you valuable insight into LAN performance. Click here to
download HP's Traffic Management Whitepaper
http://www.fattail.com/redir/redirect.asp?CID=115528
_______________________________________________________________
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Archive of the Windows Networking Tips newsletter:
http://www.networkworld.com/newsletters/nt/index.html
_______________________________________________________________
FEATURED READER RESOURCE

Network World Technology Insider on Security: Is Encryption the
Perspective?

Encryption won't solve all your security issues but these days
there is no excuse for not safeguarding your organization's
sensitive data. From Clear Choice product coverage to new
regulations and high-profile breaches, this Technology Insider
on Security covers it all. Click here to read now:

<http://www.networkworld.com/nlwnt7472>
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