"People use servers for certain roles and configurations [and] if you don't need any graphical applications you don't need a GUI," Lowe said. "You can run your server in a headless scenario increasing the reliability and security."

The core server roles are DNS, DHCP, File and Active Directory but if you need anything else you need a full installation.

Other new features include a server monitoring and management tool, a re-built Active Directory, and Terminal Services that support end-to-end encryption and smartcards.

Longhorn will ship with version 7.0 of the IIS Web server which now sports a modular architecture with 40 installation components.

IIS 7.0 has a built-in management console running over HTTP, but will be integrated into Server Manager by the time it is released.