14 DAY TRIAL // Beta versions of Centro and Cougar have been made available to a limited pool of Microsoft testers. Cougar is a Microsoft codename that designates the upcoming version of Windows Small Business Server. Centro is also a codename associated with Windows Midmarket Server.
With Windows Vista, the 2007 Microsoft Office System and Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 approaching at fast pace their final release dates, the Redmond Company is now shifting its focus onto the server line of products.
With Centro, Microsoft is gearing towards midsize businesses, delivering a x64-exclusive version of Longhorn server to small corporate environments. According to the Redmond Company, Centro will feature Exchange 2007, System Center Essentials, SQL Server 2005 and ISA Server. On top of these solutions, Center will additionally integrate Forefront security technologies. Currently, Centro is only available as a private beta.
Windows Server Longhorn, Exchange Server 2007, Windows SharePoint Services, System Center Essentials, SQL Server and ISA Server will also be integrated into Cougar. As was the case with Centro, Cougar will be delivered as a 64-bit only release. Cougar was released to a selection of Microsoft partners and OEMS as a Customer Technology Preview.
Microsoft failed to deliver additional details related to the two products. The Redmond Company only pointed to 2008 as the availability period of both Centro and Cougar.