After unveiling Windows Vista last year, Microsoft is now releasing the server version of its operating system at this year’s CeBIT alongside a new software development environment.

Windows Server 2008

Windows Server 2008 is the successor to Windows Server 2003 R2 and is built around the same kernel as Windows Vista. Microsoft expects this will increase security immensely compared to the previous version

However, the most important change found in the new Windows Server is its much simpler management, thanks to the Server Manager. Whereas administrators were forced to click their way through countless wizards and assistants in previous versions, they can now manage the entire server through a single application, namely said Server Manager. This simplifies administration and saves lots of time.

For the first time ever, the core installation comes without a graphical user interface, installing only the components necessary to perform the required tasks. This simultaneously reduces the vulnerability to security exploits and results in higher server performance coupled with a lower system load.

Visual Studio 2008

Microsoft has also updated its development environment Visual Studio. In the new 2008 version, not only the programming environment is compatible with Windows Vista, but programs written in the languages C++, C# and Visual Basic are as well. The Windows Platform SDK is completely up to date and already supports Windows Server 2008. The J# platform, on the other hand, is no longer a part of the new Visual Studio. Support for J# will continue throughout 2015 through Visual Studio 2005, though.

In addition to improved debugging capabilities, the new environment also comes with multi targeting, allowing applications to use .NET versions 2.0, 3.0 and 3.5 without requiring Visual Studio 2005 to be installed.

Visual Studio 2008 also drops support for Windows 2000, meaning the development environment is only available on Windows XP and Vista.

Microsoft will once again offer so-called Express editions of Visual Studio 2008 with reduced feature sets for free that can also be used commercially. They have been available for download for a while now here.

Main Microsoft stand: Hall 4, StandA26