Microsoft announced the initial Release Candidate (RC0) of the Windows Server 2008 operating system, now available for download.

Technological advancements, such as server and presentation virtualization capabilities, Internet Information Services (IIS) 7.0, Server Core, PowerShell, Network Access Protection, Server Manager, and enhanced networking and clustering technologies are included in the new platform.

Since early in the development process, Microsoft?s customers have said that they want to use virtualization tools to streamline their IT operations and save money. Now, for the first time, customers can start using a Community Technology Preview (CTP) of Windows Server virtualization technology (codename "Viridian"), available with Windows Server 2008 RC0. Windows Server 2008 includes a thin (under a megabyte), hypervisor-based software virtualization layer that runs between the hardware and the Windows Server 2008 operating system.

IT organizations of all sizes may appreciate the scalability of Windows Server virtualization, including multi-processor guests, large memory allocation (more than 32 gigabytes per machine) and integrated virtual switch support that enables IT organizations to virtualize most workloads. The 64-bit, micro-kernelized hypervisor architecture of Windows Server 2008 supports a broad array of devices, both 32- and 64-bit and multi-processor guests, and a variety of storage solutions including iSCSI and fibre channel SAN. Windows Server virtualization offers standards-based WMI interfaces and published APIs for management ? complete integration with the Windows Server management UI to meet customers? existing skills.