14 DAY TRIAL // The official Microsoft.com website is powered by Windows Server 2008. The Redmond Company's last 32-bit server operating system is currently in beta stage, but this has not stopped Microsoft from implementing the product into its infrastructure. In this manner the Redmond company is sending out a clear message to users over the quality of Windows Server 2008.
Released in beta 3 as of April 2007, Windows Server 2008 is currently scheduled for RTM by the end of 2007. Microsoft has failed to reveal as fat the planned availability date, but due to the late release to manufacturing, speculations are pointing to wither 2007 or 2008 for the final release. The Redmond company only offered confirmation for the RTM and not much else. At Windows Hardware Engineering Conference (WinHEC) 2007 in Los Angeles, Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates not only disclosed the final name for what was then Windows Server codename Longhorn but also emphasized that the product is feature complete.
The best example that the company's upcoming server operating system is ready in terms of productivity is not that Microsoft.com was transitioned to Windows Server 2008 and Internet Information Server (IIS) 7.0, but that an additional volume of over 2,600 websites, many Microsoft independent, have also adopted the product, according to Netcraft. Windows Server 2008 Beta 3 was the first public milestone of the Windows Server 2003's successor and Microsoft has poured a consistent amount of effort into convincing users to jump on board.
On June 26, 2007, David Lowe, Senior Product Manager in the Windows Server Division touted in excess of 200,000 downloads for the Windows Server 2008. Concomitantly Microsoft announced the availability of a Community Technology Preview of Windows Server 2008, available to MSDN and TechNet subscribers.
The CTP does not introduce new features, instead the new milestone build enables users to run the Web Server role (IIS 7.0) on a Server Core installation. In addition to bug fixes and quality improvements, the CTP also comes with minor graphical user interface redesign tweaks.