14 DAY TRIAL // Windows Server 2008, formerly codenamed Longhorn, is essentially intimately connected with Windows Vista Service Pack 1, to the level in which the RTM version of Microsoft's latest server operating system features the SP1 label. Released to manufacturing at the same time as Windows Vista SP1, on February 4, 2008, Windows Server 2008 SP1/RTM comes to the table with the same codebase as the first service pack for XP's successor. But despite of the proximity with the Windows client, Windows Server 2008 is Vista SP1, minus all the pain associated by default with the operating system launched on January 30, 2007.
"As is probably well known, Microsoft spends a tremendous amount of time and resources on marketing and education both internally and externally. At times it seems as if only word of mouth and a few more people saying the same thing will drive the message home. To that effect we'd just like to reiterate that indeed, Windows Server 2008 and Windows Vista Service Pack 1 are in fact the same code base now. This means that when you go to the System control panel, Windows will show Server 2008 RTM as having Service Pack 1 already included," revealed a member of the Microsoft Platforms Global Escalation Services.
The fact that Windows Server 2008 is already at SP1 level in its evolution was officially confirmed by Microsoft following the launch. "The System Information tool identifies the release version of Windows Server 2008 as Service Pack 1. Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 share the same code base. We are unifying the servicing between the two products to simplify the long-term maintenance process and to reduce support costs for customers. To do this, we are changing the files that are required to align the servicing components. Changing these necessary files contributes to the larger size of the stand-alone image," reads an excerpt out of KB949607.
Microsoft stated that it would not be using the SP1 reference of Windows Server 2008 in its advantage, as a marketing strategy. It is a generalized tendency for consumers, especially in corporate environments to start deploying/migrating to a new Windows operating system, only after the delivery of the first service pack. Over two months since the general availability of Windows Server 2008, Microsoft is not referencing the product in combination with the SP1 label.
But also, a couple of months since the end of February 2008, when Windows Server 2008 hit the market, the server platform is getting a welcome situated at the opposite pole compared to how Vista was greeted. And with Windows Server 2008 sharing the codebase of Windows Vista SP1, this is a signal that Microsoft's latest client is ready for its second shot, now after the delivery of service pack 1.