Longhorn Server, yes or no?

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Now that Windows Server 2003 is finished what can we expect next? Well as we already know, thats Longhorn.

Everyone knows what it looks like and some may have even tried it for themselves. However, at the moment Microsoft is trying to play down the idea of a Longhorn Server version. After Microsoft's Senior VP Brian Valentine telling the worlds press that there will be a Longhorn server release and then Bob O'Brien back-pedalling and trying to do some damage repair, what is everyone expecting?

eWeek posted an article about this very same subject. According to some Microsoft officials it could be possible Longhorn will be finished and shipped within 18 months. I think that date is rather inaccurate considering the length of time Windows Codenamed Whistler took to develop which eventually finished as Windows XP Client and Windows Server 2003 Server after some three years, I don't expect there will be a server version released alongside a client version if it is completed in 18 months time. Remarketing another server version in such a short space of time would be a nightmare for Microsoft (especially after their slogan "Do more with less").

Does this mean there will be no server version though? This is hard to tell at the moment. With Microsoft officials dodging questions about anything to do with Longhorn there is no official information available. In the builds that have leaked to the internet there is no hint of a server version of Longhorn contained within. Realistically speaking if we're going to see Longhorn Server Edition it will be in 2005/6. The amount of work that was put into Windows Server 2003 to ensure it was reliable and secure was mind-blowing.

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View: View Longhorn screenshots

View: Eweek article

View: View Microsoft-watch.com

Microsoft, in interviews, speak openly about Blackcomb and how it is likely to be the next server edition of Windows. There is no realistic time frame on when Blackcomb will arrive and what exactly its role will play with Microsoft's .NET innitiative.

Maybe we will see an update to Windows Server 2003 that will be able to cope with Longhorns new features and fully support its new file system. It's too early to tell at this point. What will be interesting in the coming months is how exactly Longhorn progresses and what happens in October at Microsoft's PDC. Microsoft is expected to demo a possible early beta version of Longhorn itself at PDC. And announce Yukon and some more .NET software. It is here where big announcements will be made and they may indeed shape the future of Longhorn itself.

#1 ENiGmA on 29 Apr 2003 - 15:06

I'd like to see a server version.

(1 reply) #2 longwilli on 29 Apr 2003 - 15:19

i very much doubt there would be i just dont think there is enough of a market for it.

Last edited by 17868 on 29 Apr 2003 - 17:27

#2.1 ENiGmA on 29 Apr 2003 - 16:40

Oh I agree, I seriously DOUBT there will be a server version, BUT it would still be nice to see.

(2 replies) #3 syntaxerror on 29 Apr 2003 - 17:32

I agree,,, It's already gawdy enough as it is.. I don't think LH will be a huge hit.

#3.1 gameguy34 on 29 Apr 2003 - 20:36

[neoquote=#3.0 by syntaxerror] I agree,,, It's already gawdy enough as it is.. I don't think LH will be a huge hit. [/neoquote] how can you say that? longhorn will be more of a change from xp than xp was from 2000. just look at all the new features and major changes/enhancements to the os. not to mention a whole new kernel.

#3.2 lwebster on 29 Apr 2003 - 23:25

[QUOTE].. I don't think LH will be a huge hit.[/QUOTE] Longhorn is already a huge hit - look at all the interest and publicity it stirs even in its Alpha stages. New screen shots come out and everyone goes running - some people are even daring to use it as thier primary OS (questionable as it may be). No windows OS, or any OS for that matter, has generated so much of a buzz as Longhorn already does - not even the Whistler project that became XP. You watch - Longhorn will be big - Microsoft will throw every penny into it to gurantee it will.

#4 Skyfrog on 29 Apr 2003 - 17:44

Actually I wouldn't want to see a server version of it, at least not for a long while. They already have the brand new Windows Server 2003 out so let them focus all of their attention to supporting and improving it, instead of having two redundant versions to maintain and confuse people.

(1 reply) #5 Tom Servo on 29 Apr 2003 - 18:05

I keep hearing rumors from left and right about a Windows Server 2003 Limited Edition, that being Win2k3 with WinFS. A similar rumor was that installing SQL Server Yukon allows Win2k3 to access and create WinFS volumes.

#5.1 Neobond on 29 Apr 2003 - 19:52

I can see Windows Server 2003 getting a [B]free[/B] service pack that will support WinFS

(1 reply) #6 cq107 on 29 Apr 2003 - 18:53

its like OSX for x86... Longhorn server is not going to happen...

#6.1 gameguy34 on 29 Apr 2003 - 20:39

[neoquote=#6.0 by cq107]its like OSX for x86... Longhorn server is not going to happen...[/neoquote] not a very good comparison, but i agree with you. i don't think longhorn will have a server version. it might just because it is the first version of NT6. but windows server 2003 was just released, and it wasn't a small upgrade in itself. i think most businesses that upgrade to 2003 will skip a longhorn server edition if it came out less than two years from now.

#7 nicedreams on 30 Apr 2003 - 01:03

MICROSOFT....PLEASE DON'T RELEASE ANOTHER SERVER AFTER THIS 2003 ONE! PLEASE...I BEG OF YOU! I'm tired of doing migrations and which is for no reason at all most of the time. Windows 2000 Server is great and I don't think companies need to keep wasting money trying to up-grade all the time. Up-grades suck anyways. I like doing full re-installs of servers so I know for a fact there is no problems and performance issues, but reinstalling a server is a b!tch in a half. Why don't they just release a separet server or something that only includes all the stupid stuff they add that you don't need. I don't need multimedia so why should some BOSS guy tell me we should when he only know's how to do email.

#8 Warrior`03 on 30 Apr 2003 - 05:29

So what if they release a server version? As long is its 2 or 3 years away i am not complaining.

#9 josluis on 09 May 2003 - 13:59

maybe windows 2003 server need someupgrades....but upgrading to xp longhorn server? waiste of money.......& requirements....bigger and bigger.....sucks....

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