Microsoft's new Windows Server 2008 Foundation details

[US 1105 Group for IT expert network manuscript] Today Microsoft has expanded its Windows Server family of operating systems, adding a new member of Windows Server 2008 Foundation. The new product is based on Windows Server 2008, but only 64-bit, which is for 15 or fewer users in small businesses. Windows Server 2008 Foundation provides small business customers with the ability to run business applications and databases, host websites, and provide basic server functions such as file and print sharing and remote access. I had the opportunity to talk to Russ Madlener and Julius Sinkevicius, director of product management at Windows Server, to better understand why Microsoft introduced the product.

According to Madlener and Sinkevicious, for quite some time, customers have been asking Microsoft to provide a simple and inexpensive server operating system. The Server 2008 Foundation is an entry-level product that is only available through OEM partners such as HP, Dell, IBM, and Acer. This means that the software is pre-installed and small businesses can start using file and print services right away. On the other hand, this also means that the price will be determined by the OEM, and small businesses will not be able to use the operating system for the server they are currently using (Microsoft says that about 30 percent of small businesses already have servers). The product is expected to ship within one to two months.

Madlener and Sinkevicious pointed out that the reason for launching new products is because of changes in the hardware market: server prices are gradually declining, but single-processor server performance is sufficient for basic applications. Microsoft hopes to capture the single-processor market by enabling customers to centrally store files and run server-side business applications on a single server. The two also mentioned that there are 390,000 small businesses, and the new product "is specifically targeted at the small business market in all product lines." Many young companies just want a basic entry-level operating system, certainly not too complicated.

If the application runs on Windows Server 2008 Standard, it can also run on Foundation, but does not support virtualization. In addition to virtualization, additional features provided by other versions of the Windows Server family, such as integrated email and simplified management, are not supported by Foundation. Another limitation is the 8GB memory cutoff, but I guarantee that this is enough for many small business servers. Microsoft's biggest motivation is to get small businesses to start using Windows Server as early as possible, so that when their business grows, it's easier to upgrade to an advanced version instead of turning to a competitor.

In terms of price, the two assured me that OEM equipment manufacturers will offer solutions below $1,000. The Server 2008 Foundation will initially be available in 7 languages ​​in 40 languages: English, Traditional and Simplified Chinese, Japanese, Brazilian Portuguese, Spanish and Turkish. Microsoft plans to support more languages ​​this year and promote to more markets.
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