Longhorn Server reaches public beta

Stephen Withers
Thursday, 26 April 2007 10:46

Business IT - Technology

Microsoft has released the first public beta version of Windows Server 'Longhorn,' saying it's time to "get ready, download and evaluate."

Longhorn is the successor to Windows Server 2003, and is the server equivalent of Windows Vista. Previous beta releases have only been available to selected customers, but the new Beta 3 can be downloaded by anyone that cares to explore the new operating system.

Highlighted features include PowerShell, Network Access Protection and an improved firewall.

PowerShell is a relatively new command shell and scripting language designed to make it easier for administrators to automate tasks.

Network Access Protection (NAP) is a feature from Vista that allows administrators to enforce security prerequisites (eg, an active firewall and up to date patches) before a system can communicate with a network.

Other significant features include Server Manager (which consolidates various configuration and management tools from Server 2003), the ability to install only those services required for a particular role, read-only domain controller (useful for branch offices where the server is not physically secure) and Internet Information Services 7.0.

Terminal Services has been improved for "dramatically improved experiences and more scalable remote access to centralized applications and server resources."

"As they take it for a test drive, our customers and partners will find we made some vast improvements in Windows Server 'Longhorn' to help them reduce costs and adapt to changing business needs," said Bill Laing, general manager of the Microsoft's Windows Server division. "Between early adopter customers and Microsoft IT, we have hundreds of servers running in production environments today. If there's one message we want to send today, it is get ready, download and evaluate."

Microsoft is hedging its bets regarding the debut of the final version, saying only that it is "on track for release to manufacturing in the second half of 2007." That sounds suspiciously like an admission that it won't ship until early 2008. But the public beta was promised for the first half of 2007, so maybe we shouldn't be too cynical.