Neowin.net

My mate Vla has let me know that as of now Beta 3 of Windows .NET Server has been made available to testers via WindowsBetaWeb. This build is numbered 3590 thats 28 builds higher than Paul Thurrott previewed earlier this week (3562), no doubt he is downloading and will have it updated before the day is out, or tomorrow. We have no release notes or screens to go on, so if you are a Beta tester you'll have to go take a look see for yourself.

View: WindowsBetaWeb (registered users only)
Screenshot: Screenie of a happy camper lurking in WindowsBetaWeb

After logging in as guest at http://windowsbeta.microsoft.com/bugs/bugrep.asp I can confirm that the Bug reporting tool shows Beta3 (build 3590) in the drop down, meaning it is out.

Thanks Scoop for spotting my error with the Beta website @ Microsoft. and oOOo aHHh MrHack was kind enough to send us the above screen and release notes ripped from some Microsoft Newsgroup. He points out that stuff like DirectX will be switched off at default. MS this Server is gonna kick some ASS! finally a locked down server!

We are pleased to offer this beta release for download from http://windowsbeta.microsoft.com. This build is currently available in both English and German. Not all beta sites will have access to both languages. For an overview of the features in this build, please download and read the Feature Guide for Server Beta 3 from the website.

We will be making this build available on CD.

Currently the following product images are available:

Standard Server

Web Server

Enterprise Server

Enterprise Server Checked (debug) version for developers

Enterprise Server 64 bit Edition

Enterprise Server 64 bit Edition Checked (debug) version for developers.

Before you begin please note the following:

1. Upgrade installations from any prior Whistler or Windows .Net Server are not permitted. If you have a prior version, you must do a clean install or a supported upgrade.

2. Windows .NET Beta 3 requires a product key for installation of the product. This key can only be used with Windows .NET Server beta builds. You can obtain your personal product key from http://windowsbeta.microsoft.com/key.asp. This is the same product key that was used for Whistler Beta 2. You are allowed to install this beta software on as many machines as permitted by your license agreement. The default license limit for technical beta testers is 2 machines per server version (detailed on Windowsbeta.Microsoft.com web site).

3. Windows .NET Server Beta 3 includes product activation. You will be required to activate the product within 14 days of installation. If you have a license extension, each key will permit activation on up to 30 machines.

4. Windows .NET Server Beta 3 is a time limited release and will expire 180 days after initial installation is complete.

5. Windows .NET Server Beta 3 is not recommended for production systems unless you are explicitly working with Microsoft on deployment programs.

6. Due to the nature of pre-release software, some of your applications and hardware may not function correctly.

Review the pre-release license agreements carefully during the installation of Windows .NET Server Beta 3. By installing this release, you agree to the terms and conditions of these license agreements. As a reminder, all licenses associated with the product will expire when the product becomes commercially available.

Before installing this release you must print and fully read Read1st.txt. This document contains critical pre-installation and upgrade information important to your installation and is located at the root of the installation media.

For comprehensive setup and installation instructions, print and read the text files located in the Docs directory of the CD images. We also recommend that you print and read the on-line release notes, Relnotes.htm, located in the Docs directory for vital network, hardware, application and printing usage information. The release notes are also available for download from the website. Please consult the website for late-breaking information.

• Graphics Acceleration is disabled by default, which disables DirectX functionality. This is to enhance server stability and is not needed in standard server scenarios. Re-enabling such functionality is not a valid server testing scenario.
  
• Theme service is disabled by default. Re-enabling theme service is not a standard server configuration.
  
• USB network drivers and other older network card drivers are not supported in the server product family. Bug reports should not be submitted on drivers that are no longer supported in-the-build.

Now they are talking! :)