Next Version of SBS ("Cougar") Now Has A Name

Microsoft announced some new details about the next version of Windows Small Business Server.  Previously codename "Cougar", the new name was also announced.

I learned the name last week while at an internal training conference in Seattle.  The Product Managers told us how many hours and dollars were spent researching the new name. 

"It has to be bold! Daring! Yet it has to accurately reflect the very essence of the product!"  

"So.. enough history already! What's the name?!"

[Drum Roll....]

Windows Small Business Server 2008!

[Cymbal Crash!  Thunderous applause!]

"Oh.. I coulda guessed that!"

Of course.  Yeah, it's no shock.  But at least now it's official.  You can all breathe easier.

"So, what's new?"

Lots.  I'll blog about new features in the coming weeks.  One of the most interesting items to me is a new licensing option.  As before, there are two main versions, this time called "Standard" and "Premium".  But this time the Premium option actually allows you to install a second server.  So now when you've migrated your domain over to your new 64-bit machine (Yes, SBS 2008 requires 64-bit hardware, for the sake of Exchange Server 2007 among other things), one option you'll have is to re-purpose your old SBS server machine.  And yes, that 2nd machine can be 32-bit OR 64-bit, running the included license of Windows Server 2008.  Details on the versions are located HERE.

And here is the Small Business Server 2008 home page.