Expect a Longhorn Server CTP During the Second Quarter

Published: February 8, 2006

by Alex Woodie

Microsoft is kicking off a community technology preview (CTP) program for Windows "Longhorn" Server, with the anticipated introduction scheduled to coincide with a second beta release during the second quarter of the year, according to a Microsoft product manager. The move reflects a growing move to CTP-focused testing cycle at the Redmond, Washington, software giant.

Microsoft has kept a relatively tight wrap on the development of Windows Longhorn Server to date. The extent of the limited showcasing has been mostly private, and a few "semi-public" previews of the next version of the Windows Server operating system, including one at the Professional Developer's Conference last fall, according to David Lowe, a senior product manager on the Windows Server team, in a post on the Windows Server Division blog.

That will soon change as a result of the new CTP program for Longhorn Server. What's more, you can expect a flurry of CTPs following the first, Lowe says.

"We know that after you've seen Beta 2, you'll want to see more, so just like we've done with products like SQL Server 2005, Visual Studio 2005, and Windows Vista, we'll start putting out those CTP releases on a more regular basis to keep your appetites whetted," he writes. "That will allow us to get continuous feedback from you on our progress as we work our way up to Beta 3, which should appear before the end of this year with pretty much all features and roles in place."

Longhorn Server, while it won't ship with the revolutionary new Windows File System (WinFS), will include some cool new technology, Lowe says, including Network Access Protection, Server Core, IIS 7.0, Terminal Services Gateway, and Remote Applications. "You'll also get to pair it with Windows Vista to see the performance and reliability improvements we've made in our completely redesigned TCP/IP stack," he says.

From the sound of things, Microsoft is still on track to ship Windows Longhorn Server sometime in early 2007. The company is expected to ship Windows Vista, which is also going to see a lot of CTPs, this fall. The CTP program is available to people who are subscribed to the MSDN and TechNet programs.

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