Support.Microsoft.com: How Microsoft Ensures Virus-Free Software [by Using Unix]

Apr 26, 2000, 21:21 (8 Talkback[s])

[ Thanks to junkyinny for this link. ]

"Release Insertion Into Manufacturing Network
Microsoft takes several steps to ensure the software we ship is virus-free. This article describes the product release and manufacturing/duplication process. References to "media" include both floppy disks and CD-ROM disks."

"The master is read into a UNIX-based disk duplication system. The system creates an exact disk image of the master, duplicating the format and data. A duplicated masters is created from the original read in image. This silver master is used by the Product Group in their review, before they sign-off. The silver master is not to be used in the Release to Manufacturing (RTM) process. The golden master, delivered by the product group to the release group, is the original image, and is released to manufacturing when the final approvals are received from the product groups."

"Duplication Process
Disks are duplicated on a variety of industrial strength, quality focused systems. Most of these systems are UNIX-based. The UNIX-based duplication systems used in manufacturing are impervious to MS-DOS-based, Windows- based, and Macintosh-based viruses. The few MS-DOS-based and Windows-based standalone duplication systems do not allow MS-DOS-based operating systems to access the duplication system. Virus protection systems used by these MS-DOS-based and Windows-based duplication systems strictly govern the duplication process, even when they are not running."

Complete Story

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