Microsoft Freak : Windows Server 2008 Release Candidate Released

Windows Server 2008 Release Candidate Released

Microsoft Windows Server 2008 is the next generation of the Windows Server operating system that helps information technology (IT) professionals maximize control over their infrastructure while providing unprecedented availability and management capabilities, leading to a significantly more secure, reliable, and robust server environment than ever before. Windows Server 2008 delivers new value to organizations by ensuring all users regardless of location are able to get the full complement of services from the network. Windows Server 2008 also provides deep insight into the operating system and diagnostic capabilities to allow administrators to spend more time adding business value.

Windows Server 2008 builds on the success and strengths of the award-winning Windows Server 2003 operating system and on the innovations delivered in Service Pack 1 and Windows Server 2003 R2. However, Windows Server 2008 is far more than a refinement of predecessor operating systems. Windows Server 2008 is designed to provide organizations with the most productive platform for powering applications, networks, and Web services from the work group to the data center with exciting, valuable new functionality and powerful improvements to the base operating system.

The various Editions available are,

Windows Server 2008 Standard Edition
This edition of Windows Server 2008 provides key server functionality across most server roles and features. It includes both full and Server Core installation options.
Windows Server 2008 Enterprise Edition
This edition builds on Windows Server 2008 Standard Edition to provide greater scalability and availability, and adds enterprise technologies such as failover clustering and Active Directory Federation Services.
Windows Server 2008 Data center Edition
This edition offers the same functionality as Windows Server 2008 Enterprise Edition with support for additional memory and processors, and unlimited virtual image use rights.
Windows Web Server 2008
This edition is designed specifically for use as a Web and applications server. Other server roles are not available in this edition.
Windows Server 2008 for Itanium-based Systems
This edition is designed for use with Intel Itanium 64-bit processors to provide Web and applications server functionality on that platform. Other server roles and features may not be available.

Learn More about Windows Server 2008

System Requirements for Windows server 2008

Get the Windows Server 2008 Release Candidate