Certified for Windows Server 2008
Microsoft Partner Points: 50
The "Certified for Windows Server 2008" logo was designed for line-of-business and mission-critical applications, and identifies applications that have been independently tested to meet the highest technical bar for stability, security, reliability, availability, Windows fundamentals, and platform compatibility.
VeriTest®, a service of Lionbridge, has worked closely with Microsoft to update its Certified for Windows logo program for the newest release of Microsoft Server Operating Systems: Windows Server 2008.
VeriTest’s goal is always to streamline the process for you. Since 1995, VeriTest has been an authorized test facility, and has helped thousands of ISVs pass more than 10,000 products through certification tests for Microsoft platforms. We provide a complete range of pre-test, test, and consultative services from regional test centers in the Americas, Europe, and Asia.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR TESTING
What's New for Windows Server 2008? Hyper-V !!
What is it? The big news in the Server world is the upcoming release of Hyper-V, Microsoft’s scalable, reliable, and highly-available virtualization platform. “Windows hypervisor” is a thin layer of software between the hardware and the OS that allows multiple operating systems to run, unmodified, on a host computer at the same time. ISVs can rapidly extend their current “Works with” or “Certified for” validations to include the Hyper-V designation, and be among the first to be listed in the Microsoft Windows Server Catalog with this distinction.
How? You can perform a self-test using new test plan instructions and the associated tools, then send your log files to us for an inexpensive audit. Better yet, you can have VeriTest reliably perform the full Hyper-V test in our labs at a very reasonable price.
Pricing for Hyper-V
Validation of a Works With Windows 2008 submission to VeriTest: $500
Microsoft is providing a testing subsidy of $250 for previously-tested applications through September 30, 2008. This offer is only for those applications that have achieved "Works With Windows Server 2008" or "Certified for Windows Server 2008" status before July 26, 2008.
Installation of the application and run Chapter 6 test cases: $2,000
Installation of the application and perform the "Works With Windows Server 2008" test: $2,000
SPECIAL PROMOTION (Save 25% through September 30, 2008) – VeriTest will install the application and not only run the “Works With Windows Server 2008” test but the Chapter 6 test cases as well for only $3,000 (normally $4,000). Let VeriTest handle the complete testing requirements for you.
Please contact us at windowscert@veritest.com to get the virtual ball rolling. More info at http://www.windowsservercert.com/.
Technical Requirements
The Windows Server 2008 Software Logo Specifications, Windows Server 2008 Software Test Framework, and test tools that Microsoft has developed for this program are available for download from Microsoft’s Innovate on Windows Server website.
The Logo Specifications describe the technical requirements for software to be certified for Windows Server.
The Test Framework document describes the test methodologies to verify applications’ compliance with the requirements.
The tools available for download are the same tools that VeriTest uses to test applications.
Pre-Certification Services
Reviewing the logo program documents in detail, making yourself familiar with the tools, and testing your application to ensure it complies with the requirements prior to submitting it to VeriTest for testing takes significant time and effort. VeriTest has therefore developed a pre-certification testing service to help companies prepare their software-based products for the full logo test pass.
ISV Applications – User Interface Languages
Testing of products that feature a user interface in a language other than English is no problem for us. We can test products in all languages supported by Windows Server 2008. We do request that you supply us with instructions in English to install, configure, and exercise your product for the test, otherwise we do charge a premium to test non-English applications.
ISV Applications – Standalone and Networked Products
We can test stand-alone applications, applications that require network connectivity to back-end systems, and applications that include client components. Please note that the Windows Server 2008 Software Logo Specifications includes testing requirements for client components that are supported on Windows Vista, and are included with your server application.
We can also test applications that require other products to be installed in the test bed. We can usually supply any Microsoft products required for your product to operate, but in most cases you will have to supply us with software and licenses for any third party (other than Microsoft) products required by your product.
Benefits
Windows Server certification is now more valuable than ever. Certified for Windows Server 2008 program benefits include:
The full program benefits are listed on Microsoft’s Innovate on Windows Server website.
Pricing
VeriTest has implemented a tiered pricing model for its testing services for the Certified for Windows Server 2008 program. The test fee ranges from $7,000 to $13,000 depending on the effort and complexity to test an application, with the test fee for most applications being $10,000.
The test effort and complexity are determined by a number of factors, including the number of files of an application that require testing, the size of an application’s feature-set, the effort and complexity involved to set up a test bed with an application, whether an application extends the Active Directory schema, and whether an application ships with client components that need to be tested on Windows Vista.
Please contact us for detailed pricing information.
Test Period
The turnaround time for this test is 10-15 business days. Once we receive the required deliverables (please see Step #4 of our Instructions), your product will be queued for testing. We will make every effort to match the preferred date you indicated during the registration process. Please refer to our Instructions for details on submission process and requirements.
You can expect to receive your test results within the turnaround time noted above.
Resources
Microsoft’s Innovate On Windows Server Initiative
http://www.innovateonwindowsserver.com/
Microsoft MSDN Forum for Windows Server Logo
http://forums.microsoft.com/MSDN/ShowForum.aspx?ForumID=1850&SiteID=1
Microsoft Partner Program
https://partner.microsoft.com/
FAQ for Microsoft Windows Quality Online Services (WinQual) https://winqual.microsoft.com/help/default.htm#FAQ.htm
While you're here, we hope you’ll take a moment to learn more about us.
Need help adapting products for international markets? Considering offshore engineering? Lionbridge's application development, test, and localization services give your products a passport to travel. We’re the world’s leading globalization services provider—the only one who puts all these services together in 26 countries with over 4,000 employees.
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Instructions for Certified for Windows Server 2008
- Ensure your application meets Microsoft's requirements
- Complete the Software Submission for your product with Microsoft
- Register for testing at VeriTest
- Submit your testing package
- Receive your test results
- Accept the Logo License Agreement
- Ensure your application meets Microsoft's requirements
Use the Windows Server 2008 Software Logo Specifications, Windows Server 2008 Software Test Framework, and test tools that Microsoft has developed for this program to ensure your application meets the logo requirements.
Alternatively, you may want to consider VeriTest’s Pre-Certification Testing and Consulting Services.
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- Complete the Software Submission for your product with Microsoft
Microsoft manages the Certified for Windows Server 2008 logo program enrollment process on its Windows Quality Online Services (WinQual) website (http://winqual.microsoft.com). In order to receive permission to use the logo artwork for this program, you must complete a Software Submission for your application(s) on WinQual. Upon completion of the software submission, you will receive a Submission ID and a "Testing Authority XML File" from Microsoft. The Submission ID is required when registering your product for testing at VeriTest, and you will need to upload the "Testing Authority XML File" to VeriTest for the test.
Waiver requests for possible logo compliance issues displayed by your product by design or by third-party products required for your product to function (including Microsoft products) need to be submitted to, and approved by Microsoft prior to the start of the full logo test pass for products.
Microsoft may occasionally grant limited waivers for specific test requirements on a case-by-case basis. ISVs seeking waivers must justify the need for a waiver, document the application’s behavior and impact on users, and agree to publish the information conspicuously for customers prior to installation. Microsoft reserves the right to publish waiver documentation for customers seeking information on certified software.
Click here to download Microsoft’s waiver request form for Certified for Windows Server 2008.
Note: A VeriSign Authenticode Code-Signing Digital ID or Organizational Certificate is required for this process.
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- Register for testing at VeriTest
Accurately completing VeriTest's Online Vendor Questionnaire ensures that we'll test your product as quickly as possible.
Complete and sign VeriTest’s Master Test Agreement for Certified for Windows. You can email a scan of the completed and signed agreement to WindowsCert@veritest.com, or you can fax it to +1 425 688 1099.
Important Note about the Tracking Number: Upon submitting the online questionnaire, you will receive a tracking number. Write this tracking number on the Master Test Agreement, and any product media (CD-ROM or DVD) you send in for testing and refer to it in all correspondence.
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- Submit your testing package
Required Items
- A feature complete release candidate of your software product with all necessary hardware, passwords, registration numbers and any available documentation. Please note that any code changes that result in changes to the features and functionality of your product may require recertification of your product.
- Stress Test Logs , High Availability Stress Test Logs, and 48 hour Cluster Stress Test Logs, together with documentation to aid in the interpretation of these logs.
Note: 48 hour Cluster Stress Test Logs are not required for applications that do not involve providing highly available services to clients.
Note: In some cases Customer references may be a valid alternative for these logs. A minimum of 2 references from 2 different Customers detailing their stress and usage scenario is required.
- During the online registration process, you will be prompted to specify how you wish to deliver your software to us. You can deliver your software to VeriTest on media, or by uploading it to our FTP server. Alternatively, you may provide a URL for us to download your software. If you ship your software on media, please include the Tracking Number you received during registration on all materials you submit.
- The "Testing Authority XML File" you received from Microsoft upon completion of the software submission for your product on http://winqual.microsoft.com.
- Any waivers approved by Microsoft for otherwise possible logo compliance issues displayed by your product by design or by third-party products required for your product to function (including Microsoft products).
In addition, based on your application's requirements, you may need to include:
- Any third-party software products required to exercise your product's functionality.
- Any unusual or proprietary hardware required for your product which is unlikely to be in VeriTest's standard library, e.g. a specialized 3D video card, a specialized telephony device, a VR headset, etc. These items will be returned to you (at your expense) after a final test result is obtained.
- Any sample data required to exercise your product's functionality. Please clearly label the sample data.
- If you bundle hardware drivers with your software, they must be tested by WHQL to qualify your application for the Certified for Windows Server 2008 Logo. See www.microsoft.com/whdc/hwtest/.
- If your product features a user interface in a language other than English, we need you to provide instructions, in English, to install, configure, and exercise your product for the test. Please note that a surcharge applies for products that do not include instructions in English.
You will receive an email with delivery instructions after you complete your online registration for the test.
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- Receive your test results
We will test your application as efficiently and cost-effectively as possible. If we encounter issues setting up and configuring your application in our lab or we determine that your product may not be eligible to be tested for this program, your application will be placed on hold and you will be contacted right away.
Once testing is complete, you will receive results from VeriTest. Because of the testing technique, interim results are not available.
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- Accept the Logo License Agreement for your product
Once your product has successfully completed testing, you need to log into your WinQual account, and accept the Logo License Agreement (LLA) for the program. Following your acceptance of the LLA, you will receive instructions from Microsoft to obtain the logo artwork.
Questions about the LLA acceptance process can be directed to: wslogoea@microsoft.com.
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Contact VeriTest
WindowsCert@veritest.com
+1 425.468.1108 (U.S.)
+33 1 58 74 92 22 (Europe)
+86 (0)10 8518 8181 x6130 (Asia Pacific)
Receive responses in Japanese by emailing nihongo@veritest.com