(WEB HOST INDUSTRY REVIEW) — As it inches closer to its general availability, Microsoft (www.microsoft.com) has released the latest version of its flagship server operating system, Windows Server 2008 R2, to manufacturing.
Scheduled to be generally available no later than October 22, according to Microsoft’s announcement, Windows Server 2008 R2 has had its code finalized, allowing industry partners to ready products in time for the simultaneous worldwide launch of Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 on or before October 22.
As always, Windows Volume Licensing program members, Microsoft Developer Network subscribers and TechNet subscribers will be among the first to have access to Server 2008 R2. Windows Server product marketing manager Crissy House outlined a broad timeline in a company blog entry, in which she detailed how and when customers and partners can get their hands on the RTM code.
Original equipment manufacturers will receive Windows Server 2008 R2 RTM in English and all language packs on July 29th. Independent software vendor and independent hardware vendor partners, as well as IT professionals with TechNet subscriptions and developers with MSDN subscriptions will have to wait until August 14 to download it from MSDN in English, French, German, Japanese, Italian and Spanish, followed by the remaining languages starting August 21.
Microsoft Partner Program Gold-certified members will be able to download Windows Server 2008 R2 RTM through the Microsoft Partner Program Portal on August 19. Microsoft Action Pack Subscribers will be able to download it starting August 23.
Volume License customers with an existing Software Assurance license, you will be able to download Windows Server 2008 R2 RTM on August 19 via the Volume License Service Center. Volume License customers without an SA license will be able to purchase it through volume licensing on September 1.
Starting on August 20, technical enthusiasts can download the 180 day evaluation version of Windows Server 2008 R2. It will be also be available in the retail channel starting September 14.
The new server operating system features an updated Hyper-V version 2.0, enhanced Remote Desktop Services and improved power efficiency and management, which have impressed early critics. “Hyper-V is now a very serious competitor to VMware,” Jonathan Hassell wrote in his Computer World review. “The power-usage improvement can add up to serious savings. Couple this with the virtualization capabilities offered by Hyper-V 2.0, and Windows Server 2008 R2 staves off a very serious scaling and capacity problem for some companies.”
Hassell, however, notes that companies getting by on older hardware and cannot afford to upgrade due to the financial environment would be best to delay their plans for R2, because, as a 64-bit only operating system, it may entail substantial investment in hardware upgrades. With a nod to Windows Server 2003 and Windows Server 2008, which are still viable for many applications, Hassell writes “for a large number of customers there is probably nothing barn-burning about this release.”
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