Microsoft will release a total of eight different . on February 27 versions out of its Windows Server 2008 OS. Under pressure from the European competition authorities, an implementation without Microsoft’s virtualization software can also be purchased.
These are stripped versions of the Web Server edition and Windows Server 2008 for Itanium processors. The omission of the Hyper-V functionality saves the customer $28. The virtualization layer is optional with the Standard, Enterprise and Datacenter editions. The software giant wants to meet the requirements of the European Commission, which has restricted the bundling of Microsoft packages.
Hyper-V, previously codenamed Viridian, will ship in beta upon release in February. message eWeek. Microsoft will then deliver the full version via an update within 180 days, the software manufacturer promised at the announcement. Microsoft has also announced that virtualization software manufacturers will be able to have their products tested and validated from June 2008. Customers who ultimately opt for validated virtualization solutions can count on support from Microsoft.
Prices for the eight different flavors of the server OS range from $999 for the standard version to $2999 for the Datacenter edition. Microsoft is asking $469 for Windows Web Server 2008, while Windows Server 2008 for Itanium systems – available only in a 64-bit edition – will fetch $2999 per processor. The prices in euros are still unknown.