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Search Tools Product Reports

Microsoft Index Server

Index Server Product Information
FAQ
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Price: free with Windows NT Plus Pack and other Windows Information Server packages
Platform: Windows NT (Server only, not Workstation), Windows 2000

Security Patches

Summer, 2001: The CodeRed Worm can attack unpatched versions of Index Server on Windows NT and Windows 2000. Exploiting this vulnerability allows attackers to run code of their choice on machines with Index Server installed.

• Microsoft Security Bulletin MS01-033: Unchecked Buffer in Index Server ISAPI Extension Could Enable Web Server Compromise
• CodeRed Advisory Notice US Government Computer Incident Advisory Center
• McAfee CodeRed Page - this incorrectly says that the worm crashes Windows NT

Spring, 2000: Microsoft has announced a Security Vulnerability with Index Server on Windows NT 4 and Windows 2000. Essentially, any site which runs Index Server can be compromised if the server receives certain erroneous commands. We recommend that everyone who is running Index Server read the FAQ and apply the patch.

Technical Support and Discussions

Microsoft Index Server Usenet Newsgroup

Index Server on IIS Answers Bulletin Board

IISLists.com - Index Server Mailing List

Articles and Reviews

• CareerBuilder Passes Google For Another Search Engine InformationWeek, January 22, 2003 by Tony Kontzer
  CareerBuilder, a recruitment and job-finding service, was limited by its original search engine, Microsoft Index Server. After assessing a number of search engines, including the Google Search Appliance, they choose Fast Data Search, mainly so they could adjust search results and provide pay-for-position services. The speed of the FAST search engine, up to 140 searches per second, and near-real-time index updates were other considerations in the choice.
  
• Index Server Can Be Your NT Search Engine Byte.com, November 1, 1999 by Lee Ratzan
  Using Index Server to index and search local content on an NT server.
  
  
• Index Server Microsoft Windows NT Server Administrator's Bible: Option Pack Edition, April 1999 by: Beth Sheresh, Doug Sheresh, Robert Cowart
  Detailed instructions for indexing and searching with Index Server.
  
  
• Scripting for searching ZDNet devhead, October 23, 1998 by Thornton Rose
  Scripts for Microsoft Index Server with IDQ file information for version 1.x and ASP for version 2.0.
  
  
• Serving Up Quality Searches Internet Computing, March, 1998 by Kevin Railsback
  Comprehensive comparative review of AltaVista eXtension 97, Integrated I-Search 3.0, Microsoft Index Server 2.0, Innotech Net Results 1.2, Verity Search 97 Information Server and Netscape Compass 3.0 (recommended).
  
  
• Bridging intranet profit and value Datamation, Dec. 1997/Jan. 1998 by C. Matthew Snow
  Approaches the intranet search engine as a vital tool for staff to deploy in closing deals. A case study of intranet search tools improving ROI and improving corporate information management describes Parsons Brinckerhoff, a New York City engineering firm. They use Fulcrum Knowledge Network to set up conferencing, databases of work experience and more. Other search tools are covered more lightly, but include unique features, good and bad points, and user comments: AltaVista Search Intranet, Lycos/InMagic, Microsoft Index Server and Infoseek Ultraseek [now Inktomi Search Software].
  
  
• Summary of Site Search Packages WebReview Nov. 21, 1997
  Chart covering Excite, Microsoft Index Server, ht://Dig, Verity Search97, Netscape Catalog and SWISH.
  
  
• Internal Search Engines Get You Where You Want To Go TechWeb October 15, 1997 by Barry Nance
  Good, thorough coverage of AltaVista eXtension 97, Folio siteDirector 3.1, Ultraseek (now Inktomi Search Software) 1.1, Inmagic/Lycos, DB/Text Intranet Spider, ISYS:Web 2.0, Maxum Phantom 2.0; Microsoft Index Server 3.0, Netscape Compass 3.0, Quadralay WebWorks Search 2.0, Verity IntelliServe 1.0, freeWAIS 0.3, WebGlimpse 4.0B1 and SWISH 1.1.
  
  
• Buyer's Guide: Search Engines WebServer OnLine, 1997 by Lang Zerner
  Tables for platforms and configuration, indexing, document types, query languages. Covers AltaVista, Fulcrum, Microsoft Index Server, Compass (now from Netscape), PLWeb Turbo, Excalibur, Verity Search '97 and Ultraseek (now Inktomi Search Software).
  
  
• ServerWatch Microsoft Index Server entry, dated March 1998, provides a feature list.
  
  
• Course Outline - MS Index Server (FirstClass Systems)