XP Goes Vista

With the release of SP3, it should bring some Vista features down to XP. You won't get any of the cool graphical stuff, but some features that are smaller and not as major. Here is a short list of the "major" features being down ported.

• Network Access Protection (NAP): This is a policy enforcement platform meant for enterprise use that inspects systems attempting to access a corporate network to ensure they meet whatever security criteria the corporation has in place. If systems fail to meet the necessary criteria, they can be updated or blocked from using the network, depending on the nature of the flaw.
• New Product Activation module: Just as in Vista, users will be able to install XP without entering a product key at installation.
• "Black Hole" Router Detection: A black hole router is a router that drops packets without returning the specified Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP) response. This feature aids in detecting and protecting the end user from such a problem. Previously, according to Microsoft documents, reliable detection of a black hole router involved use of an appropriately configured "ping" command, followed by further manual commands for working around the problem.
• Microsoft Kernel Cryptographic Module: This feature incorporates cryptographic algorithms in a single module other kernel mode drivers are capable of hooking into and accessing.

mSeliga