14 DAY TRIAL // Windows Server 2008, formerly codenamed Longhorn, is currently scheduled for official "Heroes Happen Here" launch on February 27th, 2008, in Los Angeles, alongside with SQL Server 2008 and Visual Studio 2008. Microsoft revealed in the past, via Iain McDonald, Director of Windows Server Program, that the official delivery of Windows Server 2008 would not be impacted in the least. However, at this point in time, a little over two months until the "Heroes Happen Here" event, there is still a big question mark related to the RTM date of Microsoft's last 32-bit server operating system.
On December 13th, the Redmond company made available the virtualization feature of Windows Server 2008 in Beta. Hyper-v, the hypervisor acting as a role of the operating system was referred to as a "significant milestone for Windows Server 2008 as it approaches final release by the 'Heroes Happen Here' launch in Los Angeles on Feb. 27, 2008. The launch, featuring Windows Server 2008, Microsoft SQL Server 2008 and Microsoft Visual Studio 2008, will mark the largest enterprise launch for the Redmond, Wash.-based company and is just one of many events planned for a worldwide rollout", Microsoft revealed.
But still, the Redmond company is not breathing a single word about the date intended for the release to manufacturing of Windows Server 2008. The initial Release Candidate for the platform was made available in late September. Another Release Candidate dropped this month. It is clear that Microsoft is making headway with the development of Windows Server 2008, and that it is closing in on the RTM. But at the same time, WinBeta has offered evidence (just check out the adjacent image) that Windows Server 2008 will go through another Release Candidate milestone. This will definitely push back the RTM, but at the same time, the official launch will remain unchanged. Windows Server 2008 was initially supposed to RTM by the end of 2007, but the milestone was postponed to early 2008.
"So far, almost 2 million customers around the world have obtained Windows Server 2008 evaluation code. With such an extensive network of testing by customers and partners, Windows Server 2008 will be the most reliable and highly secure server platform on the Windows platform Microsoft has yet delivered, introducing role-based installation and management that will make it easier to help manage and secure specific server roles", Microsoft added.
