Microsoft Longhorn Server is ready for testing

Three months after the launch of Windows Vista, Microsoft unveiled the first public beta of the next edition of Windows Server, code-named Longhorn.

Microsoft also announced that the final version will be launched in the second half of this year.

The Beta 3 release of Windows Server "Longhorn" marks the beginning of the second wave of innovation to be delivered by Microsoft over the next year. Following on the heels of  launch of Windows Vista and the 2007 Office system are Windows Server "Longhorn" and the next versions of Visual Studio, code-named "Orcas," and Microsoft SQL Server(TM), code-named "Katmai." These products will provide organizations with an advanced development and Web platform as well as streamlined data management and analysis, enabling infrastructure optimization.

In Beta 3, customers will see new features and enhancements that include stronger security, better performance, new server roles and features, and additional server management and remote administration tools.

New and improved features in Longhorn Beta 3 include the following:

• Windows PowerShell is now included in the product.
• Active Directory Federation Services improvements allow customers to implement new policies and make it easier to set up a relationship between trusted partners.
• The Server Core installation option now comes with additional roles and enhanced functionality, such as print services and Active Directory Lightweight Directory Services.
• The Server Manager console includes additional remote administration tools to provide a more integrated management environment.
• Windows Firewall with Advanced Security, now on by default, provides a persistent and more secure environment beginning at installation.
• NAP is integrated with Microsoft Update and Windows Update to enable administrators to decide which updates are critical and set policies accordingly. 
• A new administrative interface for simplified setup, scalability and better performance.

How will your company react? Vista is not doing so well at the moment and I think that the same thing will happen to Windows Longhorn. Then again I am pretty sure that Microsoft will force every single reseller to stop selling windows 2003 server software and offer Longhorn instead.