14 DAY TRIAL // Windows Server 2008, the last 32-bit server operating system from Microsoft, is feature-complete as of the Beta 3 milestone, according to Bill Laing, General Manager, Windows Server Division, and right on its track to be released to manufacturing by the end of 2007. The 16th annual Windows Hardware Engineering Conference (WinHEC) in Los Angeles was not only the christening place for Windows Server codename Longhorn, but also a source of announcements related to Microsoft's future plans for the server platform.
"Now that we've reached our feature-complete milestone, the main focus of our development work will be on improving overall quality, including performance and reliability. We're very excited about WinHEC this year because of the progress we've made on Windows Server 2008. At WinHEC 2006, we released Windows Server 2008 Beta 2, and over the last year it has been great to see the growing excitement among our customers and partners in response to the advances we've made. Just three weeks ago we released Windows Server 2008 Beta 3- a major milestone on the road to RTM," Laing revealed.
One aspect that has to be mentioned is that the RTM date of Windows server Longhorn will by no means coincide with the actual availability of the product. Both Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates and Laing have stressed that only the RTM of Windows Server 2008 is scheduled for 2007. In this case, the launching of the upcoming server platform could take place all the way into 2008.
Laing also mentioned that the Windows Server Division will not end its mission with the release of Windows Server 2008. The final version of Longhorn will be intimately connected with the next-generation of infrastructure technologies, web applications, services and server solutions.
"Some of the key technologies and products coming out of the Server and Tools Business include the next version of Visual Studio, code-named "Orcas," and the next version of Windows SQL Server, code-named "Katmai." Windows Server 2008 will be the foundation for a family of server solutions that will meet the needs of every segment of the market, ranging from the home up to the largest enterprise organizations. For example, "Cougar," is the code name for the Windows Small Business Server product that will be based on Windows Server 2008. It is aimed at organizations with 5-50 PCs that outsource many of their IT needs to the channel. "Centro" is the code name for a new core infrastructure solution for midsize businesses with 50-250 PCs," Laing added.
