Windows Server 2008 released to manufacturing

Windows Server 2008 has been released to manufacturing along with tools and training resources for developers and ISVs. Windows Server 2008 is part of worldwide launch events that highlights the wave of new products that also include SQL Server 2008 and Visual Studio 2008.

Two million copies of beta and evaluation version of Windows Server 2008 have been downloaded.

Windows Server 2008 was developed in tandem with the Windows Vista code base and has most of that operating system’s advanced management and security features, such as integrated Network Access Protection (NAP) and Group Policy. You will also see system-wide performance improvements from an integrated system architecture, including network file sharing, managed quality of service and reduced power consumption. Common tools and processes across both operating systems will result in efficiencies for your customers.

Microsoft expects there to be at least 80 software applications certified for Windows Server 2008 by the end of February, and roughly 300 more that are considered ready for the new platform. A complete list of compatible hardware and software products is available at https://www.windowsservercatalog.com.

More details are available in the Windows Server 2008 RTM news release.