Windows Server 'Centro' and 'Cougar' go to testers

Microsoft has released to testers builds of its next version of Windows Small Business Server (code-named "Cougar") and its first release of Windows Midmarket Server (code-named "Centro"), company officials said on December 19.

Microsoft "recently released to a limited set of partners and OEMS a Customer Technology Preview of Windows Server 'Cougar,' the next major release of SBS," according to a an e-mail note Microsoft sent to press this week.

Cougar, which is due out in 2008, according to Microsoft's latest schedule, will be a 64-bit-only release and will integrate Windows Server Longhorn, Exchange Server 2007, Windows SharePoint Services, System Center Essentials, SQL Server (no version specified -- either SQL Server 2005 or the next-gen "Katmai") and ISA Server (also no version specified), the Softies reiterated.

The week of December 11, Microsoft also releaed to testers a private beta of Centro. Centro, also due to ship in 2008, will be a 64-bit-only release, as well. It will integrate Windows Server Longhorn, Exchange Server 2007, System Center Essentials, SQL Server 2005, ISA Server and other Forefront security technologies, according to Microsoft.

The press e-mail also said that Microsoft has released to testers a December Community Technology Preview (CTP) build of Windows Server Longhorn. (This must be the Longhorn Server CTP build that Microsoft originally expected to drop in November.) The new Longhorn Server build "will be made available to MSDN and TechNet subscribers," according to Microsoft.

I've asked around and can't find anyone who has seen the new Longhorn Server build yet. I'm betting the actual bits will show up later this week or early next.

Update: Microsoft posted the Longhorn Server December CTP bits for download the evening of December 20.