Talisker and Windows XP Embedded. At the time of this writing, Microsoft is about to add a couple of new members to the embedded Windows family. Technology previews are available for Talisker (the next version of Windows CE) and Windows XP Embedded. XP Embedded follows the model of NT Embedded rather than Win2K with the SAK in that you install only what you need. XP Embedded has the following features:
- Windows XP's 32-bit code base and protected memory model
- better performance with accelerated boot and logon
- improved local and network security with Kerberos and IP Security (IPSec)
- support for multimedia and browsing with Microsoft Internet Explorer (IE) 6.0, Windows Media Player (WMP) 8, and the DirectX 8 API
- headless support and flexible boot and storage options
- support for IP version 6 (IPv6), the Infrared Data Association (IrDA) protocol and ports, 802.11b, and Universal Plug and Play (UPnP)
- new tools—including Target Designer, Target Analyzer, Component Designer, and Component Database Manager—that provide a more rapid and complete end-to-end development solution
All embedded Windows versions offer a 32-bit OS that can run programs written with Microsoft's visual languages. For more information about embedded Windows, go to http://www.microsoft.com/windows/embedded/default.asp.
Windows Appliance Types
You can probably imagine many types of Windows server appliances. However, Microsoft and OEMs are focusing their efforts on a few types.
Web server appliances for the ISP market. Microsoft offers a script for building a Web server appliance in the current SAK, and several Win2K Web appliances have already come to market. According to Microsoft, Windows Web server appliances have the following advantages over lower-cost Linux implementations: native support for Active Server Pages (ASP), Microsoft FrontPage, AD, and the Windows Media file format; better performance because of SMP scaling; 128-bit encryption security; and centralized management through Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) and Microsoft Management Console (MMC).
The SAK Web server script disables the DHCP server, DNS, WINS, RRAS, and DC functions. The script also disables Win2K Server Terminal Services in Application mode (Administration mode remains in use for remote management), Microsoft Cluster service (except for Network Load Balancing—NLB), Authentication Services (authentication requests are passed through Windows Web server appliances to appropriate DCs), and general file and print services.
NAS appliances. The current SAK includes a script for building a NAS appliance for network support of stored Web data and heterogeneous file access for Windows and UNIX systems. Several vendors have released NAS appliances. According to Microsoft, a Windows NAS appliance has the following advantages over its competitors: good scalability, thanks to SMP support; high reliability because of driver signing, system file protection, and other Win2K reliability features; the ability to add the NAS appliance to the network and make configuration changes without needing to power down the appliance; superior performance for the price when serving files to CIFS and NFS clients (as demonstrated in SPECmark tests); centralized management through WMI and MMC; and support for Win2K features such as AD, Dfs, Encrypting File System (EFS), and user and group policy integration. For descriptions of some Windows Web and NAS appliances available from major vendors, see the sidebar "Win2K Server Appliances," page 36.
SBS appliances. SBS appliances provide capabilities such as access to files, printers, a common Internet connection, and other services that small offices require. No major vendors currently offer an SBS appliance.
Networked backup and recovery appliances. Some analysts estimate that as many as 15 percent of all servers deployed in networks have backup and recovery as their primary function. Microsoft sees a market for backup and recovery appliances in the small-business and workgroup (departmental) segments.
Vendors are planning other devices such as document and collaboration servers, messaging servers, and firewalls. You can expect to see these appliances in the next year or so.
A Good Buy
In releasing and promoting embedded versions of Windows for network appliances, Microsoft has taken a big step toward the new model of distributed network services. Although some might see embedded Windows as a reactive strategy, Microsoft is aggressively pursuing both ease-of-use and value-added features. The company's licensing policy is sensible, and the Windows appliances currently on the market are competitively priced with appliances based on other OSs. Several of the first devices seem to have good performance numbers. If you have a Windows shop, you might want to look at some of the products being offered. These products come with good feature sets and offer the best compatibility with Windows—and AD—you're likely to get. The release of XP Embedded brings Microsoft back to the component model in NT Embedded, which could result in a smaller OS footprint in future devices.
End of Article
