The Register®

Original URL: http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/03/14/win_2003_sp2/

MS quietly releases Win 2003 SP2

Second update enjoys stealthy debut

By John Leyden

Posted in Security, 14th March 2007 16:28 GMT

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Microsoft has released a major update to Windows Server 2003 to make the enterprise software package more stable and easier to manage.

The low-key debut of Win 2003 SP2 [1] on Monday, which took some sys admins by surprise [2], contrasts with the high profile launch of Win XP SP2 in August 2004. So stealthy was the release that it's yet to be noted on Microsoft's product update blog [3].

And the release is certainly worth noting. Win 2003 SP2 - which also applies to users of 64-bit editions of Windows XP Professional - includes a number of bug fixes along with new features.

The release includes a new XML parser (dubbed XmlLite), support for Wi-Fi Protected Access 2, an improved management console, support for firewall per port authentication, improvements to the implementation of the IPSec security protocol, and improved networking features (as explained here [4]).

The 372 MB release has been undergoing testing for nine months since June 2006.

Alongside release of the update, the software giant published a deferment tool designed to assist organisations who want to avoid the automatic update of Windows 2003 servers until they've had a chance to test the software.

In related news, an optional update to XP SP2 designed to resolve a system crashing bug [5] was made available as a general release earlier this month through Windows Update, the SANS Institute's Internet Storm Centre reports [6]. ®