14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft's next generation operating system server version will come in 32 and 64 bit versions, but as the company claimed, the starting from 2009 the releases of Vista will be 64 bit only.
In 2007, a server software from MS called Centro, designed for mid size business, will be available only in 64 bit version. Moreover, Vista's Small Business server version will run only on 64 bit CPUs. Thus, we can say that Microsoft's roadmap shows signs of a 32 to 64 bit transition.
In August, Virtual Server 2005 SP 1 was renamed Virtual Server 2005 R2. In this domain, Microsoft is trying to catch up with competitors like WMWare. Virtual Server technology allows multiple "guest" operating systems to be run on one machine with a single operating system as a host. Also, the pricing of the standard edition of the Virtual Server 2005 R2 dramatically dropped from 499 USD to only 99 USD, encouraging users to try out the solution.
Windows Server 2005 R2 is built on the Windows Server 2003 SP1 technology, and it is intended to be the version that will fill the gap between Windows Vista servers that will arrive in 2007 and current technology. Also, Virtual Server 2005 R2 will be available in both 32 and 64 bit versions, the support for the 32 bit version ending in late 2006.