When can you expect the product to arrive? Beta 2, as you know, was released at the end of May. Microsoft expects to deliver Beta 3 by the end of this calendar year, and the current projections are that Longhorn Server will be released to manufacturing sometime in the second half of 2007. (It will likely be in the fourth quarter.)

At this point, Longhorn Server is shaping up to be a compelling release. Assuming performance and reliability continues to improve, once released, it will definitely be worth deploying during your standard upgrade cycle.

Jonathan Hassell is an author, consultant and speaker on a variety of IT topics. His published works include RADIUS, Hardening Windows, Using Windows Small Business Server 2003 and Learning Windows Server 2003. His work appears regularly in such periodicals as Windows IT Pro magazine, PC Pro and TechNet Magazine. He also speaks worldwide on topics, ranging from networking and security to Windows administration. He is currently an editor for Apress LLC, a publishing company specializing in books for programmers and IT professionals.