14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft released the first developer preview of the Windows 8 client on the first day of BUILD, and now the company is doing the same with the next major iteration of Windows Server.
Windows Server 8 Developer Preview is currently available for download via MSDN. Of course, only those devs who actually subscribe to MSDN can access and download the Windows Server 8 Developer Preview.
The same does not apply to Windows 8 Developer Preview Build 8102 Milestone 3 (M3) which is available to all early adopters interested in testing the operating system.
Just as it was the case with Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows 8 and Windows Server 8 are joined at the hip, sharing a range of elements.
It’s important to underline that Windows Server 8 is just the codename for the next version of the Windows Server platform. It appears that Microsoft might go for a different branding strategy for Windows 8, choosing a new moniker than just Windows 8.
“Windows Server 8 will be a big leap forward, especially in terms of helping IT organizations progress beyond virtualization to build private cloud services,” revealed Bill Laing, Corporate Vice President, Server and Cloud.
“We innovated and worked with the industry on virtualizing network and storage infrastructures for multitenant support. Our goal is to give customers the choice and flexibility to build and deploy applications across their choice of private and public cloud environments, or a combination of both.”
According to the software giant, the focus of the Windows Server 8 was placed on integrating the “lessons learned” with Windows Azure.
The promise from the Redmond company is that Windows Server 8 will kick up to the next level app delivery, interoperability (especially in heterogeneous environments, virtualization and the platform’s ability to connect to public clouds.
“We are delivering new technologies, such as “cluster aware updating,” and the ability to script workflows with Powershell to make it an easier and repeatable process to patch multiple servers while maintaining continuous service availability,” Laing added.
“(…) So, with Windows Server 8 we are delivering high availability and disaster recovery at a much better price point, using software technologies and commodity networking, storage and servers.”
Laing also notes that the Windows Server 8 Developer Preview is just a taste of what the Redmond company will have to offer.
Windows 8 Developer Preview Build 8102 Milestone 3 (M3) is available for download here.