Windows Server 2008 R2 and Windows 7 SP1 Releases to Manufacturing Today

 Today, on behalf of the team, I’m pleased to announce the Release to Manufacturing (RTM) of Windows Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1 (SP1), along with Windows 7 SP1.  SP1 will be made generally available for download on February 22. 

Two new features in Windows Server SP1, Dynamic Memory and RemoteFX, enable sophisticated desktop virtualization capabilities. These features build on the comprehensive virtualization functionality already included in the Windows Server operating system.

Our first new feature, Dynamic Memory, takes Windows Server’s Hyper-V feature to a whole new level.  Dynamic Memory lets you increase virtual machine density with the resources you already have—without sacrificing performance or scalability. In our lab testing, with Windows 7 SP1 as the guest operating system in a Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) scenario, we have seen a 40% increase in density from Windows Server 2008 R2 RTM to SP1. We achieved this increase simply by enabling Dynamic Memory.

This increased density does not come at the expense of security, as is the case with other offerings in the industry. Dynamic Memory preserves Windows 7 security without compromising density. My colleague Jeff Woolsey goes into detail in a recent post on this topic at the virtualization blog.

In addition, you get immediate benefit from the moment you turn on the virtual machine. There’s no waiting for memory management algorithms to work. Nor do you have to tweak the hypervisor with custom settings for specific workloads to maximize density. It’s an awesome out-of-box experience for all your virtualization workloads.

The second new feature, RemoteFX, is a first-to-market technology that we have demonstrated at multiple events. In fact, I was honored to be the first to show it publically at the Desktop Virtualization Hour last March.

RemoteFX is an exciting technology that lets you virtualize the Graphical Processing Unit (GPU) on the server side and deliver next-generation rich media and 3D user experiences for VDI. RemoteFX is also enabling new low cost ultra-thin client devices to enter the market. Together, these technologies will drive down the end-point cost and reduce endpoint power consumption to as little as a few watts.

Customers have already been successful with Dynamic Memory and RemoteFX, in early adopter deployments. Case studies, like the one we partnered with Sporton International on, show how using both RemoteFX and Dynamic Memory delivers real business value.

Windows Server 2008 R2 and Windows 7 SP1 will Release to Manufacturing (RTM) today.  On February 16, both will be available to current customers of the Windows Volume Licensing program, as well as subscribers to Microsoft Developer Network (MSDN) and TechNet. On February 22, both will be available to all customers through Windows Update and will also come preinstalled on new servers ordered.

I encourage you to check it out for yourself and see how it adds value to your business.