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Update: Softgrid 4.1 SP1 To Be Released , SoftGrid 4.2 Tech Preview Available

Friday, 15 June 2007 by Michel Roth

Microsoft is preparing to release Softgrid 4.1 SP1 any day now. The binaries are ready, Microsoft just has to release them. Softgrid 4.1 SP1 is mostly a big fix release but it has one adds another feature: support for Side-by-Side (SxS) applications. From the release notes: Microsoft SoftGrid now provides improved support for sequencing SxS applications with public assemblies, such as Microsoft Office 2007. The release notes also state in term of upgrading:

The Clients
You can upgrade to the SoftGrid Client v4.1 SP1 from a Client v3.2, v4.0, or v4.1. The upgrade process preserves all system configuration settings and user-profile settings. Upgrading from v3.2 flushes the Client�s software-application cache. While upgrading Clients is recommended, you can also uninstall previous versions before installing Client v4.x.

The Sequencer
If you are using an earlier version of the SoftGrid Sequencer, you cannot upgrade directly to v4.1 SP1.

The Softgrid Server
All SoftGrid Server components support upgrade from v3.1, v3.2, v4.0, or v4.1. Upgrades from earlier releases of the Microsoft SoftGrid components are not supported. The Server upgrade automatically validates existing applications and identifies application configuration problems. Applications you sequence with the SoftGrid Sequencer v4.x may not stream properly to SoftGrid Clients v3.x. You can upgrade target Clients to v4.x or continue to stream v3.x sequenced applications to the older Clients. Testing with Clients v4.x and Sequencer v4.x is recommended.

Also note that the installation requirement for Servers is Windows 2003 SP1 (or later). This is necessary for the SoftGrid Management Console Snap-in. The SoftGrid Virtual Application Server will install on a pre-SP1 system, but it will not add the Console. You can manage this Server from a different computer with the Console. The SoftGrid Server Management Console Snap-in no longer installs or works with Windows 2000.

Update: Softgrid 4.1 SP1 is available:

� SoftGrid Sequencer (4.1.1.303)
� SoftGrid Server (4.1.1.302)
� SoftGrid for Terminal Services (4.1.1.302)
� SoftGrid for Windows Desktops (4.1.1.302)

Softgrid 4.2 Tech Preview
In addition, Softgrid 4.2 is now available as a Tech Preview on Microsoft Connect. Softgrid 4.2 is build on the aforementioned Softgrid 4.1 SP1 platform but adds Windows Vista Client support. If you don't have time to take a look at this Tech Preview, Tim Mangan has already taken a look at the tech preview. You will of course need a SoftGrid 4.1 or later server on the test network to be able use this tech preview. Softgrid 4.2 will become available in July 2007 as part of the Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack for SA 2007 release.

Update: Tim Mangan has a 20 minute webcast up on Softgrid 4.2.

You could sign up for the Softgrid 4.2 tech preview here.