14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft is yet another step closer to the RTM date of Windows Server 2008. The Redmond company announced that a fresh Community Technology Preview is available for download to all Windows Server 2008 Technical Beta participants. The Windows Server 2008 CTP is the first milestone release of Microsoft's last 32-bit server operating system since Beta 3 of the product went live in April 2007.
"It's only two months since we released Beta 3 and already we have another CTP out the door. Over 200,000 people have downloaded Beta 3 (with many, many more getting it at worldwide events or free with technical publications) and the June 2007 CTP is another step toward Release Candidate and ultimately RTM, which remains on track to hit before the end of 2007," revealed David Lowe, Senior Product Manager in the Windows Server Division.
Of course that the main difference between the Windows Server 2008 and the CTP is the fact that the former was a public release while the latter is available exclusively to MSDN and TechNet subscribers. On May 15, Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates unveiled a feature complete Windows Server 2008 at the Windows Hardware Engineering Conference (WinHEC) 2007. In this context, the new CTP brings no additional features to the table, with a little exception.
"One major update that is present in this release is the ability to run the Web Server role (a.k.a. IIS 7.0) on a Server Core installation. This was a huge request from customers and we didn't think we'd make it, but we managed to squeeze it in, so you should check out how that works. The main focus of this release was to fix some bugs and improve overall quality and performance over Beta 3, but obviously, you also will see some minor UI changes and tweaks," Lowe added.
One thing that indeed will change irremediably is the Windows Server 2008's codename. Longhorn will be referenced less and less. The new build of the server operating system will from now feature Windows Server 2008 in the right-hand corner. Currently, Windows Server 2008 is scheduled to be released to manufacturing by the end of 2007.