Companies installing Windows Server 2008 may have to buy extra Microsoft software, such as Windows Vista, to use more advanced features, analyst firm Gartner has said. John Enck, research director at Gartner, said that although making additional investments would not be a barrier to using the operating system, companies should be clear that installing Windows Server 2008 could influence their future choice of software applications.
"Combining Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 in the same environment strengthens TCP/IP networking, network access protection and administering policies as well as quality of service settings. However, Windows Server also provides "plumbing" that influences the selection of other products," he said. Enck said companies using an existing combination of Microsoft applications may find that this drives the move to Windows Server 2008.