A (Microsoft) Code Name a Day: Greenland

I'm resuming my Microsoft Code Name a Day series that I started in December 2006. The goal: To provide the back story, each day in August, on one of Microsoft's myriad code names. Some of these code names might be familiar to Microsoft watchers; others (hopefully) will be brand-new.

Microsoft code namesoffer some great clues about the Redmondians’ development priorities, not to mention a better understanding of which future Microsoft products fit together, from a strategy standpoint. And not every product group is moving to boring, numbered codenames (like Windows 7 and Office 14).

Without further ado, let the codename games begin.

Microsoft code name of the day: Greenland

Microsoft code name of the day: Greenland

Best guess on what it is: WS-Management Protocol 1.1

Meaning/context of the code name: As Microsoft increasingly is using geographic locations for codenames (when it's not using numbers or .Next to refer to upcoming releases), it's hard to get a read on what's behind the "Greenland" codename. Unless I hear otherwise, I'll just lump it into the place-names family (with Vienna, Monaco, Fiji, etc.)

Back story: The WS-Man protocol handles the remote exchange of management data across any devices that implement the protocol.

Microsoft's more detailed description: "The current implementation of the WS-Management protocol is based on the following standard specifications: HTTPS, SOAP over HTTP (WS-I profile), SOAP 1.2, WS-Addressing, WS-Transfer, WS-Enumeration and WS-Eventing. The intent of the protocol is to provide consistency and interoperability for management operations across many types of devices (including firmware) and operating systems. WS-Management protocol can be extended as new operations are identified by the IT industry."

Additional info: Microsoft recently completed the beta invitation and selection process for WS-Man 1.1. So I'm assuming a private, closed beta either has begun or will begin shortly. No word yet on how and when Microsoft will deliver the final implementation.

Update: On August 24, Microsoft made WS-Man 1.1 available for download. According to the Redmondians: "Customers are advised to update their Windows 2003 Server R2 with this update. This is a required component for Microsoft System Center Virtual Machine Manager 2007 and Microsoft System Center Operations Manager 2007 SP1."Got a Microsoft code name you’ve been wondering about? Send it my way and I’ll do my best to track down some leads on what it might be.

And if you want to keep track of the full month's worth of Microsoft code names I end up posting, bookmark this "Microsoft Codenames" page. You can also check out this video-whiteboard I did recently on Microsoft codenames.