Microsoft is offering customers a taste of Forefront Codename "Stirling" via the Download Center. At the end of the past week, the Redmond company started offering virtual hard disk images of Forefront Codename "Stirling." But while the download page for the integrated security system is live since August 27, 2009, fact is that I wasn’t able to download the bits. Registration is mandatory for accessing the Microsoft Forefront Codename "Stirling" VHDs, but customers who do try to sign in with their Windows Live IDs will get either a 500 internal server error or nothing at all except the sign-up form not accepting valid account names and addresses. Still, with the download page up and running, I think that it will be only a matter of time before the company fixes the issues that prevent access to codename Stirling.

“Forefront codename “Stirling” is an integrated security suite. This download comes as pre-configured VHDs. This download enables you to evaluate Microsoft Forefront Codename "Stirling". It includes Forefront Client Security, Forefront Security for Exchange Server, Forefront Security for Sharepoint Server, The Central Management Server and Threat Management Gateway,” Microsoft stated.

In the first half of April 2009, the software giant announced that the Forefront Stirling security suite would slip past its initial availability deadline. While Microsoft was looking to offer the security solutions to customers in mid-2009, the development process was delayed not only after the summer of this year, but also into 2010.

“Forefront codename “Stirling” is an integrated security suite that delivers comprehensive protection across endpoint, servers and the edge that is easier to manage and control. By delivering simplified management and providing critical visibility into threats, vulnerabilities, and configuration risks, Forefront codename “Stirling” helps you protect your business with greater confidence and efficiency,” Microsoft added.

The company noted that customers would be able to get their hands on Forefront Server Security for Exchange and Threat Management Gateway in the fourth quarter of 2009. At the same time, the waiting period for remaining components of the security suite including the Stirling management console, Forefront Client Security 2.0 and Forefront Security for SharePoint, will stretch until the first half of 2010.

“[The] “Stirling” suite includes: a central management server and dashboard; the next generation of Forefront Client Security; the next generation of Forefront Security for Exchange Server; Forefront Online Security for Exchange; the next generation of Forefront Security for SharePoint Server; Forefront Threat Management Gateway (Next generation of ISA),” Microsoft explained.