In brief: Microsoft releases beta of ISA 2004

Also: InfoVista upgrades VistaFoundation; iPolicy announces enterprise version of IP Enforcer

• Microsoft  last week released a public beta version of its Internet Security and Acceleration Server 2004. ISA Server promises improved network security and performance by delivering better application security, simplified management, tighter integration and faster caching, Microsoft said. ISA Server is designed to help users protect Microsoft applications such as the Exchange e-mail server, Internet Information Services Web server and SharePoint collaboration tools. Application filters for each of those products will be available when ISA Server ships in mid-2004, the company said. Additional filters, including one for the SQL Server database, are in the works. Pricing for ISA Server 2004 has not been determined. ISA Server 2000 Standard Edition costs about $1,500 per processor and Enterprise Edition is about $6,000 per processor.

• InfoVista this week will announce upgrades to its VistaFoundation product, software designed to manage the performance of networks, systems and applications. Version 2.0 has been updated to include tools to help customers define, model and monitor business services from an end-user perspective. As part of the company’s new Business Technology Intelligence strategy, VistaFoundation 2.0 will include features that lets users view service performance or the status of the components, such as database, a portal interface with context-relevant data and automated self-monitoring features. Available in March, pricing for VistaFoundation 2.0 starts at about $50,000 for new customers.

• Security equipment vendor iPolicy Networks next week will announce an enterprise version of its IP Enforcer appliance for use at the Internet perimeter or inside the corporate LAN. The previous version was intended for ISPs, but the new version, which ranges from $2,000 to $150,000, provides firewall/VPN, URL filtering, intrusion-detection and prevention that a company can manage at up to gigabit speeds.