Microsoft Windows Server 2008

Conclusion

Overall, what should be made of Server 2008? Is it a somewhat lame dog like Vista, which hasn't received universal support and applause? No - the work that has gone into Server 2008 over the last five years has delivered many tangible benefits. The number and depth of the changes, both large and small, is extremely significant and a cautious determination by Microsoft shines through the new OS almost everywhere you look.

The first key question is whether the effort has resulted in a platform, which has breadth, depth and real capability to deliver to the large organisation in 2008 and in the future. I am in absolutely no doubt that this is the case, and that the 2008 release is the greatest version of Windows Server so far. Indeed, the roots clearly go back to the early work on NT, and much of that early clarity is still visible today.

The second key question is whether system admins will "get it", and really understand the capabilities. Here I have some worries and concerns - the sheer size of this product means it is frankly much too big for one person to understand, and it will put significant strains on the IT management and design functions within large companies. A huge amount of new learning, modelling, deployment design and implementation will be needed to get the best from this platform. There is no question that the rewards are there, but treating this as Server 2003 Plus Some is not going to deliver the full return on investment.

Indeed, I would give much weight to the view that says it's better to stick with the known Server 2003 platform until a proper review can be done by each organisation, and whereby each of these major new facilities can be explored, investigation and weighed. Then a proper vision can be built specific to the needs of that organisation, and a coherent and comprehensive deployment plan can be built. Rushing in might well carry over too many old ways of thinking.

In Microsoft's defence though, it is possible to bring Server 2008 and some of its key features alive very quickly in an organisation, and to get immediate benefit from doing so. The wise sage suggesting holding back might well be denying immediate benefits and key deliverables. Each organisation will have to decide and choose for itself.

There is no doubt that there is much for Microsoft to be proud of within Server 2008. If you consider the various families of additional tools, servers and services that sit around the Server 2008 campfire, there is no doubt that this is the most comprehensive and capable operating system ever delivered.