Building on Windows Server 2008 SP1

Microsoft plans to unveil on February 20, 2008, a new family of products built on top of Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 1. The official announcement is yet to be released but the Redmond company is ready to unleash Cougar and Centro onto the world. The introduction of the Windows Essential Server Solutions family of products comes on the heels of the releasing to manufacturing of Windows Server 2008 SP1 at the beginning of February, alongside Windows Vista SP1. Code name "Cougar" stands for Windows Small Business Server 2008, while code name "Centro" is nothing else than Windows Essential Business Server 2008, both offerings being released under the Windows Essential Server Solutions umbrella.

With Windows Server 2008 at its basis, Windows Small Business Server 2008 also brings to the table Windows Exchange Server 2007, Windows SharePoint Services 3.0, Enhanced Remote Web Workplace, as well as a one-year trial subscription to Microsoft Forefront Security for Exchange Server Small Business Edition and to the new Windows Live OneCare for Server. The Redmond company is also offering SBS 2008 Premium, which enables customers to run SQL Server 2008 and Windows Server 2008 on an additional server.

Just as SBS 2008, Windows Essential Business Server 2008 is also built on the latest Windows server operating system. On top of Windows Server 2008, Windows Essential Business Server 2008 delivers Exchange Server 2007, Forefront Security for Exchange Server, System Center Essentials 2007, the next version of Internet Security and Acceleration Server. And Microsoft plans to offer a Premium Edition which will feature SQL Server 2008 technology.

The main limitation that customers have to keep in mind is the fact that both Windows Small Business Server 2008 and Windows Essential Business Server 2008 offer support exclusively for 64-bit architectures. Windows Small Business Server 2008 addresses organizations with up to 50 users, but is designed for a scale of up to 75 users. Windows Essential Business Server 2008 supports up to 250 users.