May 7, 1997 11:00 AM ET
Microsoft shows
operating system futures
By Norvin
Leach
| ORLANDO, Fla. -
Microsoft Corp. this week demonstrated and
discussed new operating system utilities and
features designed to make its two next-generation
client systems easier to manage. Features include the ability to cache network files on a client and redirect file writes to a server. Products include new and updated utilities for scanning and repairing system files and pinpointing problems. All the technology will be available in Version 5 of NT Workstation. Some of it will be packaged with Memphis, the follow-on to Windows 95, and some will be released in a separate add-on pack for Memphis designed for systems administrators, according to a presentation at Microsoft's Tech Ed conference here. The client-side caching lets users cache network files locally and work with them even when the client is disconnected. The files are automatically synchronized with the server when the client is reconnected. Windows product manager Bernard Wong pointed out that the caching could be useful for maintaining the cohesiveness of compound documents whose pieces are stored on various systems. Microsoft is also developing technology called Copy on Write, which redirects local file writes to the server in order to maintain the client state on the server. Instead of writing a file on the client, users would instead work with a cached copy. The Copy on Write technology will probably be included in the Memphis Zero Administration kit, along with other technology for better central control of systems. A widespread beta version of Memphis is due out by the end of June, but Microsoft officials would not say when the Memphis Zero Administration kit would be made available. In fact, Microsoft has only just begun to release Zero Administration technology for existing operating systems. A kit for NT 4 was sent out to a small number of beta testers this week. While the Zero Administration technology is aimed at lessening the hassles of administration of several PCs, Microsoft is also building utilities to address the problems of individual PCs. Memphis and NT Workstation 5.0, for example, will contain a utility to automatically scan every system file for defects, and will let users automatically extract files from installation disks to replace defective files. Microsoft is also upgrading the SysEdit utility to give users more control over the reboot process. Instead of stepping manually through each phase of the boot process, the new System Configuration Editor will let users check off which system files and drivers they want to load. Improvements to the Dr. Watson utility will let users identify the application that caused a system to crash, and will log information on the system, the registry and currently running tasks. One disappointment for the Tech Ed audience, however, was the product's inability to easily compare log files. Comparing the log files, audience members said, would make it easier to pinpoint differences that could have caused problems. For online problem reporting, Microsoft will introduce Eyedog, a product that lets users submit detailed debugging and troubleshooting information via the Web. Microsoft can be contacted at www.microsoft.com.
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