Windows Server 2008 RC0

Windows 2008 goes to RC0.

Some interesting announcements from Microsoft over the last few days, not only the next beta release, Release Candidate 0 of Windows Server 2008 but also the news that Windows Server 2008 will be officially released on February 27th 2008, along with Visual Studio 2008 and SQL Server 2008.

I have heard some people ask why RC0 not RC1 as it has been in the past. I think the main reason for this was Beta3 was meant to be feature complete but it was not. It did not have MS's Virtualization Hypervisor technology included (formerly codenamed Viridian), so this is the first public release of this technology.

For those that have not looked at Windows Server 2008 this seems to be the most significant Windows Server Release since Windows 2000 and Active Directory. One of the problems I always have is justifying to my audience why you should spend hard earned finances on new releases of software but Windows Server 2008 is an easy sell, even for just replacing file servers. MS have produced a good technical white paper on the improvements which is worth a review.

Over the next few weeks I will publish content about Windows Server 2008 more everyday and basic features and therefore somewhat over looked. For those that do not have access to the beta on the windows 2008 page there are Virtual Machines and On-Line Labs that can be utilised to get some early experience of the product.

Certification

Along with a new product comes a new certification path as well. Microsoft has effectively scrapped the MCP, MCSA & MCSE as we know it today (do not worry your current credentials will last forever). But there are some major changes and for the better I think. Qualifications are more descriptive so you can better identify yourself; qualifications will have a life and will expire. Some will expire when a technology has been retired, so will require updating periodically. There are upgrade paths, and anyone currently undertaking an MCSA or MCSE I would suggest they carry on. If you have the chance to include Vista as you client exam or as an elective then do so. This will reduce what you will need to upgrade and will also increase the number of qualifications you will get. Please see my next post for details on the way certification will change.

Have a great week,

Paul