RSSLonghorn Server Beta 1 Set for Summer
By Nate Mook | Published June 16, 2005, 2:41 PM
Microsoft plans to ship the first beta of Longhorn Server shortly after Longhorn client Beta 1 reaches testers this summer, with all signs pointing to an August debut. Windows Server head Bob Muglia also said the company is considering a version of Longhorn Server designed for home use.
The revelations came in an online Web chat on Wednesday, in which the moderator asked participants to "please join us in the first part of August for a chat about Longhorn Server Beta 1." Microsoft Watch first reported the news, noting that it would be uncharacteristic for Microsoft to hold a chat before it releases the code.
During Wednesday's chat, Muglia took questions from users ranging from improvements slated for Longhorn Server to the future of Active Directory. In response to a query on whether Microsoft would deliver a version of Longhorn Server designed to manage multiple systems in a home environment, Muglia hinted such a SKU might be planned.
"We are always looking for new opportunities where server technology can be leveraged, and the home definitely represents an exciting new area that we are looking at along with many others. Much of the great storage, replication, and management technology would be great in a home," Muglia said, according to Microsoft Watch. "We have seen many people install Small Business Servers at home, which really works quite well."
Longhorn Server is slated to ship in 2007, after the release of its client counterpart. The next-generation Windows Server will focus on securing the system by making it easier to configure the OS to handle only a specific task, such as Web server or domain controller.
Microsoft representatives would not comment on the August release timeframe, or whether a home edition of Longhorn Server in indeed in the works.
I could see a Media Center approach to the home server edition. Something aimed at sharing home/entertainment/media data, like photos, movies, music, etc. A server would be a natural fit for those with multiple client devices sharing the home network. I'm not sure such a market would be big enough to expect a lot of return however.
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I would like to see a Personal Developer version rather than home edition. Hobbiest devs need to have tools such as SQL Server along with Visual Studio Team Foundation server.
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By the time this thing has it's first service pack, say, 2008 or so, I'll be ready to migrate my W2K domain for the next 8-10 years. So really the MS tax isn't so bad.
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That is only true if you don't like having support. You are already not getting IE7 and security could become a problem when they stop giveing Win2K updates.
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I have been waiting for server home edition. Now it is Novell's turn.
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