News

Microsoft's MOM 2005 released

• By John K. Waters
• August 30, 2004

Microsoft announced last week that it released the latest versions of Microsoft Operations Manager (MOM), its server management software, to manufacturing. MOM 2005 and MOM 2005 Workgroup Edition (formerly known as MOM 2005 Express) are part of the Redmond software maker's ongoing Dynamic Systems Initiative, the company's long-term systems management strategy. The company calls the release a 'milestone' and 'another important step for customers in our DSI road map.'

The initiative's goal is to provide tools for managing systems distributed across Windows and non-Windows environments. Since the company announced the DSI last year, Microsoft reportedly has been investing heavily in DSI-related R&D, as well as aligning partner investments.

The MOM products are based on technology that Microsoft licensed from NetIQ (http://www.netiq.com ), which reportedly has between 5,000 and 10,000 current customers for its MOM technologies.

MOM 2005 is designed to simplify and automate the way businesses design, deploy and operate distributed systems. It features wizards for easier setup and implementation, as well as automated tasks for management packs across the system.

The MOM 2005 package includes an integrated framework designed to provide Web services-based interconnection with existing management systems, and a new management console designed to provide a view of the systems' overall health and access to the integrated reporting server.

The new version also comes with built-in security features, such as the ability to mutually authenticate agents and servers.

MOM 2005 Workgroup Edition is the lower-priced version targeted to mid-market users (those with up to 10 servers). It can be upgraded to MOM 2005, the company says.

The roster of third-party hardware and software vendors supporting MOM 2005 includes Hewlett-Packard, which announced it is working with Microsoft to provide a management pack to monitor HP ProLiant and Integrity servers. Veritas (http://www.veritas.com ) says it will offer a management pack that allows MOM users to monitor the company's Backup Exec software and check the status of backup jobs.

Microsoft has reworked its pricing and licensing schemes for these releases. 'Licensing for MOM 2005 has been simplified to be consistent with similar Microsoft products such as Systems Management Server 2003,' the company says in a statement. Customers can purchase a license for their central server and an Operations Management License for each MOM 2005-managed device. The company expects a MOM 2005 Server License to retail for US$729, a MOM 2005 OML five-pack for US$2,689, and the MOM 2005 Workgroup Edition for US$499.