What comes after ISA

Question

We're currently running ISA 2003. It does the job very well, but I'm aware we probably need to upgrade to one of the latest products. MS seem to have done their usual trick of confusing their product range. I understand that Unified Access Gateway 2010 is
the current model is this correct? And if so, is there anything else on the horizon that we should be waiting for?
We really use the system as a firewall for our network, proxy web services for users, VPN and virtual networks. We are looking at a new IP based telephone system that runs over VOIP lines and I assume this would support this functionality?
Can some also provide any resource sites to better understand it's functionality?
Thanks,

Answer 1

We're currently running ISA 2003.
There is no product known as ISA 2003, so I'm not really sure what you're running.
ISA Server 2004 Standard Edition (with SP2) is supported until October, 2014.
In October, 2006, Microsoft released ISA Server 2006, which is the first upgrade you should consider. It's functionally a drop-in replacement for ISA Server 2004. (Backup the config file, install ISA2006, restore the config file.) ISA Server 2006 is supported
until January, 2017.
As Vadims mentions, there is an additional generation of this product line, known as
Forefront Threat Management Gateway 2010, which was released in December, 2009. While it's true that the product has been "discontinued", what that means is that there won't be any *NEW* versions of the product released. It's still available, and is in
Mainstream Support until April, 2015, and Extended Support until April, 2020. If you're not ready to switch vendors, migrating to TMG2010 (and skipping ISA2006) is still an effective plan.
Beyond that, you've got about six years to identify an alternate firewall vendor. :-)
I understand that Unified Access Gateway 2010 is the current model is this correct?
Unified Access Gateway is a slightly different product. It's not a firewall, but rather a remote access solution, more robust than the RRAS that has typically existed in
Windows Server. However, even UAG is now being replaced by the new-and-improved RAS available in Windows Server 2012, specifically the Direct Access capabilities.
We are looking at a new IP based telephone system that runs over VOIP lines and I assume this would support this functionality?
No. VoIP services are provided by
Lync Server.
Can some also provide any resource sites to better understand it's functionality?
It seems to me that Microsoft.com/productName is probably the best place to start.
Lawrence Garvin, M.S., MCSA, MCITP:EA, MCDBA
SolarWinds Head Geek
Microsoft MVP - Software Packaging, Deployment & Servicing (2005-2014)
My MVP Profile: http://mvp.microsoft.com/en-us/mvp/Lawrence%20R%20Garvin-32101
http://www.solarwinds.com/gotmicrosoft
The views expressed on this post are mine and do not necessarily reflect the views of SolarWinds.