Terminal Services Overhaul
In Longhorn Server, Terminal Services has received a long-overdue refresh with two major new functional improvements. First, Terminal Services now includes a Terminal Services Gateway function that lets clients tunnel into a terminal server by using remote procedure call (RPC) over HTTP. Thus, clients with an Internet connection can download applications from any location without requiring a client install.
Second, Terminal Services includes a Remote Programs feature that lets organizations deploy individual applications—rather than complete environments—to remote clients. The application will integrate with the look and feel of the desktop—although some applications such as Vista's glass-like interface won't work the same—and users will be able to drag and drop between a remote application and a local system. Terminal Services Remote Programs will enable companies to grant users access to infrequently needed or legacy applications without having to manually touch the client machines. Remote applications are deployed by using standard Windows Installer (.msi) files.
The Great Unknowns
Microsoft told me, vaguely, that it's working to reduce the number of instances in which OS reboots are required. The statements weren't too convincing. I'm eager to see the fruits of this work and compare Longhorn Server's reboot requirements with those of Windows 2003 Release 2 (R2). However, thanks to Longhorn Server's new modular architecture, many Longhorn machines will probably require fewer reboots because administrators will need to install patches for only those features that are installed.
Microsoft hasn't decided which product editions, or SKUs, it will ship in the Longhorn Server timeframe. Microsoft Senior Product Manager Julius Sinkevicius told me that although the product could change somewhat, the company will deliver Standard and Enterprise editions, and probably a Datacenter Edition. Other market-specific Longhorn Server editions are still undecided at this time. Longhorn Server will use the new Vista UI in classic mode, which resembles Windows 2000, but with the new Vista UI, constructs such as sort columns will appear in all view modes instead of only the Details view.
Timing and Availability
Microsoft plans to ship multiple Longhorn Server Community Technology Preview (CTP) interim builds before the final release to manufacturing (RTM). Beta 2 is considered a semipublic release that Microsoft will distribute to about 500,000 people through Microsoft Developer Network (MSDN) and TechNet, road shows, and other events. At some point in 2006 or 2007, Microsoft will issue a Beta 3 version—a feature-complete Longhorn Server—to millions of users worldwide on a DVD and at the Microsoft Web download site. Microsoft still intends to ship the final version of Longhorn Server in 2007, but the exact date is unknown. At the time of this writing, Microsoft would say only that Longhorn Server will ship about 6 months after the business version of Vista is released. Vista is currently on target for a late October RTM date.
NAP for Network Quarantining
Longhorn Server will include the long-awaited Network Access Protection (NAP) feature, which adds true network quarantining to Windows Server. Several layers of NAP will be available, depending on your infrastructure.
In the simplest (and least secure) scenario, a business could enable NAP through DHCP to provide healthy remote clients with IP addresses and access to the local network, while denying out-of-date clients access until they download needed security updates. You can also implement NAP by using VPN (i.e., through Microsoft or a third party), 802.1x, or IPsec—the most secure but difficult method to implement. NAP will require XP SP2 or later or Vista on the client.
Recommendations
There's no doubt about it: Longhorn Server is going to be a major Windows Server release and one that all Windows administrators should examine closely as soon as possible. If you can get your hands on Beta 2, do so: Some of the new functionality is truly exciting, and of course Microsoft continues to make improvements to fundamental server capabilities. I can see reasons why companies would want to hold off on Vista migrations for as long as possible, but Longhorn Server is a different animal altogether. You're going to want to be ahead of the curve on this one.