Microsoft Corp released the beta of its proxy server late yesterday as part of its BackOffice server applications family in the race to keep up with Netscape Communications Corp, whose Proxy Server version 2 is currently in beta. Redmond’s server, codenamed Catapult, will be followed by other server offerings including directory, search and certificate servers. Catapult acts as a secure gateway between a LAN and the Internet and stores frequently hit Web pages in cache memory for faster access. The server can block access to specific sites by leveraging C2-level security features built into Windows NT Server. It supports HTTP, FTP, VDOLive, IRC, mail and news protocols, and Novell’s IPX/SPX. Microsoft released its Internet Information Server earlier this year. The beta was due to be up on the Web for downloading by 2pm Pacific Time, but Microsoft said it was having technical difficulties and was running late as we went to press.
