Microsoft Releases Windows Server 2003 SP1

Masq666 writes "Microsoft has wrapped up development on the first major update to its Windows Server 2003 operating system and released it for download, The company said that Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 is currently available for download via Microsoft's site and will soon start showing up on new servers. Among the primary benefits of the free update is the inclusion of security enhancements similar to those added to Windows XP with last year's Service Pack 2. News.com.com has more details and commentary."

Comments

I am not a Win S2K3 admin, but

[Tibor the Hun]

OK, I am not a Windows Server 2003 admin, but is it just me, or is it really odd that Microsoft is just now including a firewall?

Brilliant idea

[SilentChris]

In all seriousness, I definitely like the new "PSSU" (Post-Setup Security Updates) feature. Awful name, but it does the following when someone first installs Windows 2003:

1.) Blocks all incoming traffic.
2.) Immediately guides the first person who logs on through downloading updates.

This would be such a terrific blessing for new XP users: block traffic and immediately send them off to the update site. Excellent idea.

Re: Microsoft Releases Windows Server 2003 SP1

[SilentChris]

True, but they have a few excellent ideas in there. I'm a little "meh" about the "security configuration wizard" (personally, if you're using a wizard to configure security you probably shouldn't be admining a server in the first place.

The PSSU feature, though (as I mentioned in another post), that blocks incoming traffic on first boot and immediately directs the user to download updates is awesome. Why other companies haven't thought about this, I have no idea. I really hope this gets put into the next consumer version of Windows.

64 bit XP

[buhatkj]

IMHOP, the more interesting tidbit from this article is the info that XP 64-bit should go on sale next month :-) As the proud owner of 2 athlon 64's, that's actually something I would want to know about....