Microsoft has unveiled the first public beta version of
R2, an interim release of its Windows Server
software.
R2 is Microsoft's first attempt to deliver an interim release of
the Windows Server operating system. It will replace Windows Server
2003 when it ships later this year, said Bob Muglia, senior
vice-president of Microsoft's Windows Server division.
The release is intended to offer significant new features and stem
criticism from user organisations who have said delays in rolling
out Longhorn, the next full release of Windows, have reduced the
expected value of their Software Assurance licences.
The interim release of Windows is based on the same core operating
system code as Windows 2003 SP1, which was launched at the end of
March
Features in R2 include support for users with a branch office
network. "We have never really focused on branch before," said
Muglia, who outlined improved file sharing and file replication
capabilities in R2.
The release offers remote differential compression to make it
easier to move large files to and from branch offices.
R2 is designed to be managed remotely, which Microsoft said would
reduce the need for IT experts at branch offices. It would also
support remote back-up from head offices and failover with
rollback.
Muglia highlighted R2's Active Directory Federation Services. This
is an extension to Microsoft's authentication software designed to
support the way users work with external partners.
Muglia said R2 could also help tackle the management issues of
dealing with staff who have left a company but are still using
valid log-in details to connect to a business partner's IT
systems.
Other features in R2 include simplified management of storage area
networks, making San management a standard operating system
feature.
Muglia said R2's Simple San administration feature would allow
users who had never configured a San before to do so in less than
an hour.
l Microsoft, has launched Windows Mobile 5.0, the latest
incarnation of its Windows Mobile software platform. The focus of
the release is tighter support for Microsoft Office software and
persistent memory storage for more efficient data management,
support for hard drives and qwerty keyboards.
Who will get it?
Organisations on Software Assurance will receive R2, but
Microsoft is not planning to offer upgrades to R2 from Windows NT4
or 2000. Users on earlier versions of the server operating system
will require a new licence to run R2, as will users of Windows 2003
without a subscription licence. Microsoft does not plan to extend
R2 support beyond 2013, the end of support date for Windows
2003.
Key features
- Sharepoint services
- Next version of .net Framework
- File replication over Wans
- Active Directory federation services
- Simple storage area networks
- Unix interoperability
- iSCSI support.