Microsoft is continuing to drop new clues about what users can expect in Longhorn Server, the version of its Windows Server product slated to ship in 2007, and beyond.
During an online Web chat on Wednesday, Windows Server Senior Vice President Bob Muglia touched on everything from a possible new home version of Windows Server, to the future of Active Directory.
Muglia reconfirmed that Longhorn Server Beta 1 will ship this summer, around the same time as Longhorn client Beta 1. And based on a comment from one of the Microsoft chat moderators, it sounds as if the current plan is to have code in testers hands by August.
The moderator told participants to “please join us in the first part of August for a chat about Longhorn Server Beta 1.”
While Microsoft potentially could hold an online chat about Longhorn Server Beta 1 before the company releases code, it would be uncharacteristic for the company to do so.
Microsoft officials, contacted after the chat, were not available to comment on whether Longhorn Server Beta 1 will be available to testers by August.
Muglia also raised the possibility that Microsoft could deliver, at some point in time, a home SKU of Windows Server. When asked by a chat participant whether Microsoft might introduce such a SKU, given the proliferation of media content and multiple machines in homes, Muglia hinted that such a SKU might be in the works.