It's Official: No Longhorn Server On Tap

Thanks KniteLife from our BPN Forum

Microsoft has decided to skip a Windows server release to coincide with the Longhorn client and instead jump directly to Blackcomb, company officials confirmed Friday. Until recently, Microsoft has been talking up plans to synchronize its Windows server and client releases, starting with the next major version of Windows, code-named Longhorn.

But with Windows delivery dates slipping and customers delaying Windows implementation plans due to the sluggish economy, Microsoft is redrawing its roadmap. According to Microsoft's new plan, Longhorn is now a client Windows release only. It will be the successor to Windows XP. It's unclear when Microsoft will make Longhorn client commercially available, but given its Software Assurance licensing promises, Longhorn client could hit as early as next year.

"Customers have asked that we map our server releases more closely to how they can consume and implement advances and innovations we deliver," said a spokeswoman, when asked whether Microsoft was still planning to release a server version of Windows to coincide with Longhorn the client.

"Given the deployment cycles and budgeting that customers work through and given the significant customer interest in our upcoming release of Windows .NET Server 2003, we have determined that another major release of Windows Server in the Longhorn client timeframe does not meet the needs of most of our customers," the spokeswoman added. "Microsoft is planning a major release of Windows Server to follow Windows .NET Server 2003—code-named Blackcomb.

View: The full story