Microsoft To Ship Windows Server For Itanium 2 Later This Month

This month, the software giant plans to begin shipping its second version of Windows server for the Itanium architecture. Following the release of the server this month, Microsoft will ship two 64-bit versions of Windows.NET and an updated Windows XP client for Itanium 2.

Windows Advanced Server, Limited Edition 1.2, which will be made available to server manufacturers later this month, exploits the performance enhancements of Intel's second-generation Itanium processor and is based on the 64-bit code of the forthcoming Windows.NET server operating system. The first 64-bit limited edition, based on Windows 2000 code, shipped in August 2001.

Following that release, Microsoft also plans to ship 64-bit editions of Windows.NET Enterprise Server and Windows.NET Datacenter Server later this year as well as an update of its 64-bit Windows XP client in 2003.

The Windows.NET servers are expected to ship by the end of 2002. Windows XP 64-bit Edition, Version 2003, which will ship next year, is enhanced for the Itanium 2 processor and will succeed the existing 64-bit Windows XP desktop OS that shipped in late 2001.

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Analysts predict slow uptake for Itanium 2 and 64-bit Windows given economic conditions.

"Corporations don't really have the money right now, and outside of really large database implementations, some extremely advanced engineering applications, and very high end scientific programs, there really is little demand for 64-bit computing today," said Rob Enderle, research fellow at Giga Information Group, who now predicts that mainstream Itanium adoption won't happen until the introduction of the next Itanium processor, code-named Madison, which is due in 2003.

"Part of what we are dealing with is a combination of missed expectations with the first generation [Itanium product, a lack of 64-bit applications, no money in the budgets and a long sales cycle," Enderle said. "I don't expect the market to take off for this product until the next generation as a result."