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Windows Server 2008 as SP-1? Really?

Feb. 28, 2008

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For CIOs and IT managers used to waiting for the first security patch before adopting new server operating systems, Microsoft's announcement that Windows Server 2008 will begin shipping in a few weeks as Service Pack 1 (SP-1) took many by surprise and now many industry observers say they are confused.

John Enck, v.p. at Gartner Research said "releasing Windows Server 2008 as an SP-1 "security patch or bug fix" is completely different than what most industry insiders would expect. My feeling is that Microsoft will be confusing the market more than anything."

Enck points out that "the goal of an SP-1 release isn't to create confusion, but simply to converge the paths of Windows Server 2008 with Windows Vista. "This means the that the Service Packs are shared, that patches get released at the same time."

To be sure, Microsoft expects CIOs will see things very differently. "You don't have to wait for the traditional SP-1 for it to be right like people have before," wrote Ian McDonald, Microsoft's director of Windows Server program management. The first service pack for Windows Server 2008 will be SP-2.

That's why Microsoft risked a move-releasing Windows Server 2008 as SP-1 that will likely confuse its customers. The software giant decided "to take this one-time hit in confusion to get everything reintegrated," says Enck.

Overall, Microsoft Server 2008 and Windows Vista share the same code base and were developed in tandem, at least in the initial phases of their development. But due to a push to get Vista out to market faster, the two products' development diverged completely.

For McDonald, that was a repeat experience. He'd dealt with the continuing divergence with Windows XP and Windows Server 2003, an experience he'd like not to repeat. When Window XP and Windows Server 2003 diverged, he wrote, "The matrix of releases became a real nightmare of catastrophic proportions."

"Windows Server 2008 is not so compelling to say upgrade everything you have," says Enck. Instead, Gartner recommends replacing servers as they age. Look for selective improvements, and adopt Windows Server 2008 for just those needs.

So should IT managers and CIOs wait for Windows Server 2008 SP2?

Not according to Gartner. For client computing, a main reason to wait for Vista's SP1 is to allow time for the third-party application ecosystem to develop, according to Enck. That's not the case for server operating systems, which have a smaller set of software and partners. "After Windows 2000, Microsoft did major work on their development practices," he says.

Enck added "they brought in very impressive testing and integration" that leads to a stable release, so he believes there's really no compelling reason need to wait for SP-2.

Here's a few improvements that might be worth it, to some a least:

Internet Information Services 7.0 (IIS 7.0): Added security features and an easy-to-manage platform for hosting Web applications and services. According to Microsoft, "IIS 7.0 includes a componentized architecture for greater flexibility and control. IIS 7.0 also provides simplified management, powerful diagnostic and troubleshooting capabilities that save time, and comprehensive extensibility."

Read-Only Domain Controller: RODC is a new type of domain controller that improves security, especially important in physically insecure locations. The RODC protects passwords, prevents Active Directory database manipulation, and prevents tampering with DNS data, according to Microsoft.

Terminal Services RemoteApp and Web Access: Users can quickly access an application from a Web page, even if the application is not installed on the client's computer. The current version is heavy-handed, says Enck, but with the Windows Server 2008 version, you can now expose an individual application without a whole other desktop.

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Source: IT World Canada