Operating Systems > Windows Server 2008Essentials

Receiving slightly less attention than its client brother, Windows Server 2008 R2 -- also known as Windows 7 Server -- made its pre-release debut a couple of weeks ago. But with this new incremental release, there are quite a few changes under the hood that may make this something you should watch. In this piece, I'll look at some general facts about the release and then drill into a few key improvements and new features.

A standing complaint about Windows Server is its resource footprint. Those in IT just take as rote that it requires lots of memory, lots of CPU, and lots of disk to put any substantial services on the air with Windows Server 2003. I think it's safe to say that the typical x86 rack server's characteristics reflect the requirements of Windows Server. Microsoft's big OS has always been designed under the presumption that it will have a full physical server to itself.

We all have them. Those favorite tools and utilities that help make our Windows environment just a little bit more comfortable. For me, the following eight utilities aren't so much conveniences as they are life preservers for my sanity. Each one has become an integral part of my day to day, Windows Workstation 2008 experience, to the point where the thought of life without them leaves me contemplating a nice stroll out an 18th story window. Simply put, they're must-haves -- for me and, frankly, for any sane IT professional dealing with Windows on a daily basis.

Microsoft Thursday said the next upgrade of its Windows Server operating system will scale up to 256 logical processors.

Microsoft said it has completed development on Small Business Server 2008 and that the software will hit its targeted ship date of November 12.

Microsoft this week announced the immediate availability of pre-release versions of its upcoming Windows Essential Server Solutions for small to midsize companies, as well as pricing for the software bundles.

Banks may be closing branches to the disgust of many customers, but for one local IT services company, a disused bank vault became the ideal secure site for a new data centre to enter the hosting market.

The cat and mouse relationship between Microsoft and the open source Samba continues as the team prepares another update to add support for Windows Server 2008 and Vista SP1.

Microsoft Wednesday released a feature-complete beta of its Hyper-V virtualization technology, which is an add-on to Windows Server 2008.

Microsoft said it will issue eight security updates next week, five tagged as "critical" to patch Windows, Office and Internet Explorer.