Windows 7 Server and Windows Server 2008 R2 are both, much in the same sense, future iterations of the Windows Server platform. It has become an established tradition with the Redmond company to release minor and major versions of the Windows Server operating system alternatively. In this context, Windows Server 2008 R2 fitted the role of a minor update, while Microsoft already confirmed Windows 7 Server as the next major release of Windows Server. However, a new piece of information coming from the Redmond giant now indicates that Windows Server 2008 R2 and Windows 7 Server are one and the same thing.

IT Professional Martijn Brant revealed a fragment of text included in the TechNet newsletter from Microsoft Netherlands, signed by Microsoft veteran Tony Krijnen: ""Zo hebben Daniël en ik net een uitgebreide training achter de rug over de mogelijkheden van Windows 7 (Windows Server 2008 R2) en alles over het Software+Services concept". (Translation: Daniël and I just completed an extended training on the features of Windows 7 (Windows Server 2008 R2) and on everything related to the Software+Services concept)." (via Bink.nu)

Microsoft has not officially confirmed any connection between Windows 7 Server and Windows Server 2008 R2. In fact, the software company has managed not to say much about either of the two future versions of Windows Server – and certainly not to reveal any detail that could point to a potential connection between the two.

The new details coming from Microsoft Netherlands do however catalyze an interesting scenario. Windows 7 Server as the successor of Windows Server 2008, mirroring the relationship between Windows 7 and Windows Vista, could only have been delivered in 2011 or 2012. But, if Windows 7 Server and Windows Server 2008 R2 are one and the same, this could mean yet another synchronized launch for the Windows client and server operating systems. In this regard, it is possible that Microsoft is cooking a joint launch of Windows 7 and Windows 7 Server/Windows Server 2008 R2 for the end of 2009, but no later than 2010.