Microsoft previews Windows Server 2008 R2
MCP Magazine | at | by Mike
Microsoft on Tuesday showed off a pre-beta version of Windows Server 2008 R2 at its Professional Developers Conference in Los Angeles. The company is also promoting the upcoming release (also known as "Windows 7 Server") on its various blogs and Web sites.
While Microsoft isn't talking specific dates yet (the live version is expected to debut in late 2009/early 2010), it is talking features -- including confirming that Windows Server 2008 R2 will be 64-bit only.
"32-bit is done," wrote Technical Product Manager Oliver Rist on a Windows Server blog post. "Frankly it was high time. Customers have been unable to purchase a 32-bit server CPU for over two years now, and the advancements in CPU architectures really dictated that we squeeze as much performance out of customers' hardware purchases as possible. The move to 64-bit is a first step."