Windows Server Roadmap

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[img]http://www.betaone.net/Skin/news/topics/ms.gif' border='0' alt='News Logo' style='float: right' />Neowin reports that Microsoft has revealed their new roadmap and prelimenary release schedule for their server operating systems.

Windows Server 2003 SP1 will include reliability & security enhancements and an increased performance of 10% on TPC. TPC-H, SAP & SSL. SP1 will include XP SP2 enhancements like RPC & DCOM lockdown and will include a boot-time network protection for clean installs. This means clean installs will be protected out of the box by Windows Firewall but the Windows Firewall will turn itself off by default after the install has finished. SP1 also includes a VPN client inspection that can ensure clients are secure and up to date before being able to access vital networks running Windows Server 2003. The same enhancements will be included in Small Business Server 2003 SP1.

Windows Server 2003 Update - Codename "R2" will be built upon Windows Server 2003 SP1. R2 will include update packs like Windows Update Services & Server Performance Advisor and will be covered by the same application compatibility, servicing & support lifecycle as Windows Server 2003. This also means that servers covered by Software Assurance at the time of Windows Server 2003 release will receive Windows Server 2003 Update.

Windows Server Codename Longhorn Beta 1 was also mentioned briefly but without any promised features or release schedule. Judging by the announcement that Microsoft are moving to a 4 year release schedule for Windows Server then that would place Windows Server Longhorn in 2007 (4 years from Server 2003). This also fits in with the fact Microsoft also announced plans to release an "Update" every 2 years from OS Launch. Previously, Microsoft worked on a 3 year release schedule with Windows NT and Windows 2000. This news means we'll be seeing Windows Client Longhorn in 2006 and Windows Server Longhorn in 2007 if Microsoft want to stick to the announced plans. This also affects Blackcomb which now officially falls back to 2011 after Longhorn gets its update in 2009. Some crazy figures but ones that Microsoft are evidently working to.

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News Source: www.neowin.net