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ATOMWindows Server 2008 launched
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Software giant Microsoft turns 30 this year - and celebrations have already begun in earnest at the company.
On February 28th, at a series of flamboyant worldwide events dubbed ‘Heroes happen here', chief executive Steve Ballmer unveiled the company's largest enterprise launch in its history.
This involved a raft of new products and services, but perhaps the one that IT directors were anticipating most was the launch of Windows Server 2008.
The new Windows Server 2008 release is Microsoft's first server operating system since Windows Server 2003. Initially known under the code-name ‘Longhorn', the Server 2008 operating system was scheduled for release in late 2007, but experienced a number of delays.
Now that it has arrived, users have much to gain from upgrading to the new operating system, according to Chris Gough, Microsoft specialist at Logicalis. "Windows Server 2008 is the most advanced Windows Server operating system yet, designed to power the next-generation of networks, applications, and Web services. It provides a solid foundation for all of your server workload and application requirements, while also being straightforward to deploy and manage," he says.
Improvements with Microsoft Windows Server 2008 include enhanced security, virtualisation, increased power, a smaller footprint, and advancements in management and remote access.
"IT professionals and developers tell us they spend too much time and money managing existing systems and not enough investing in new capabilities that create strategic advantage," said Steve Ballmer at the launch. That feedback, he said, is at the core of the innovations in Windows Server 2008 and other new software releases.
In terms of virtualisation, Windows Server 2008 has some built-in capabilities, but enhanced virtualisation is offered with the company's new hypervisor technology, Hyper-V. Now available in beta version, the product will be officially launched 180 days after the Windows Server 2008 launch.
"Windows Server 2008 is next-generation technology that will have a profound impact at many forward-looking organisations," says Gough. "But the ones that will get the most from the new product are those that work with trusted partners to quickly get to grips with the new features and functions and identify what these can do for their businesses."
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Your Comments and Questions
Chris Gough, 12 days ago
The fully featured Hyper-V component of Windows Server 2008 is actually not a full production release. Currently its only downloadable as a release candidate version to work with SVR 2008 RTM. My guess is that once this is fully released for SVR 2008, Microsoft will market its full capabilities more aggresively.
Terry, 13 days ago
I'm surprised that Microsoft are not playing up the virtualisation aspect of this new product - which I think is called Viridian. With a significant proportion of companies having no idea about server utilisation rates, this seems an obvious area to focus on. Is it me or are Microsoft missing a trick in not playing up Viridian?
Jeremy Taylor, about 1 month ago
You mentioned virtualisation and a smaller footprint in the article. I'd be interested to find out more about the improved efficiencies of the Windows Server 2008, and even if Microsoft has been selling it on its 'green' benefits?