Windows Server 2008 is the latest Windows server platform to come out of Redmond, and the successor of Windows Server 2003. Released to manufacturing on February 4, 2008, Windows Server 2008, was joined at the hip with Windows Vista SP1, also being labeled Service Pack 1, instead of RTM, due to a new synchronized strategy that impacts the Windows server and client operating systems. Sharing essentially the same core as Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008 permits users a similar level of flexibility when it comes down to test driving the platform. Namely, Windows Server 2008 can be installed without a product key and used for an initial period of 60 days, that can be prolonged to a maximum of 240 days. In this context, Microsoft has made available for download several evaluation editions of Windows Server 2008 for free.

"Windows Server 2008 helps IT professionals to increase the flexibility and reliability of their server infrastructure while offering developers a more robust web and applications platform for building connected applications and services," Microsoft revealed in the product's documentation. "This software is for evaluation and testing purposes. Evaluating Windows Server 2008 software does not require product activation or entering a product key. Any edition of Windows Server 2008 may be installed without activation and evaluated for an initial 60 days. If you need more time to evaluate Windows Server 2008, the 60 day evaluation period may be reset (or re-armed) three times, extending the original 60 day evaluation period by up to 180 days for a total possible evaluation time of 240 days. After this time, you will need to uninstall the software or upgrade to a fully-licensed version of Windows Server 2008."

In order to get additional details about the re-arm procedure, please go here. You will be able to enjoy both the 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows Server 2008 Standard, Windows Server 2008 Enterprise, Windows Server 2008 Datacenter, Windows Web Server 2008, as well as Windows Server 2008 for Itanium-based Systems for up to 240 days. All the download links can be found here.