Fat Free Windows Server Takes Aim at Linux

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer has indicated to investors that Microsoft is preparing to release a low-cost, low-end version of Windows Server with stripped functionality.

The new Windows Server SKU is designed to capitalize on the ever increasing demand for basic computer functionality, which has been introduced into the market along with the netbook craze. Ballmer noted that Microsoft has a relatively small share of the hosting market where the Linux platform prevails heavily and suggested that the new ‘Foundation Server’ will be an attempt to grab server market share away from Linux.

Quoting Ballmer:

“So we have something that’s akin to netbook at the server, and we’ll be introducing our Foundation Edition over the next month or two.”

Ballmer also mentions that the Foundation Server announcement is quite interesting as well as the analogy to the netbook platform, stating that it is “yet another scenario where (a), Linux has made a serious inroads and (b), Microsoft sells a version of Windows for less than the usual price.” Some feel that Foundation Server could pose a risk and actually drive server prices down or that Foundation Server is a reaction to the recession.

The new low-cost Foundation Server will also provide benefit to the virtualization side of computing. With the availability of a lower cost version of Windows Server we may see increased usage of server virtualization. The decision to release the lower cost Foundation Edition could also be a tactical move by Microsoft that fits well with the recent virtualization agreement between itself and Redhat.

  • "Microsoft is preparing to release a low-cost, low-end version of Windows Server with stripped functionality." This is supposed to compete against Linux servers??? haha Sounds like another HUGE failure for MS! The full version is already at a disadvantage, how is stripping it down going to make it more appealing??? Just another POS product for MS...
    Reply
  • Blessedman
    Ok, I have an idea for MS but it would be risky (but solidify MS). Give the server software away, make them pay for support if they want it. Also to make sure they reap all benefits from this business model, they should get a percentage from all certificates issued(if they don't already). They would have to make some fundamental changes to the server OS (not giving desktop users a free alternative) but in the long run to be able to fight Linux on the same ground (in the server arena)would be worth it.
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  • jsloan
    this maybe a great idea, small companies / isp hosting websites and web services may benefit from this. also they maybe able to offer same price for windows as with linux, i want a copy to play with...
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  • danimal_the_animal
    ubuntu and redhat are stripped down AND full featured....both are FREE!!!!

    they are capable of anything windows can do.....i am running an ubuntu server at home with Samba, ftp, dns, mail server, vpn, the WORKS!

    i would not trade it for a paid version of Micro$oft......i am also a network administrator and all we use is microsoft....they both have their good points and bad, but linux is free and thats why i use it at home.
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  • cruiseoveride
    "... with stripped functionality." FAIL
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  • jsloan
    danimal_the_animalubuntu and redhat are stripped down AND full featured....both are FREE!!!!they are capable of anything windows can do.....i am running an ubuntu server at home with Samba, ftp, dns, mail server, vpn, the WORKS!i would not trade it for a paid version of Micro$oft......i am also a network administrator and all we use is microsoft....they both have their good points and bad, but linux is free and thats why i use it at home.

    not .net based web services and asp.net which a windows developers use.
    Reply
  • Window$ costs externally, that is key; anyone could say TCO and judge in favour of Windows, but external costs cannot have any possibility of cut down in cost, so how would Microsoft hope to wedge open some market with this?

    Sounds like a rebranding of Windows PE for retailers.
    Reply
  • Flameout
    jsloannot .net based web services and asp.net which a windows developers use.linux has their equivalents either out right now or in the works
    Reply
  • jsloan
    Flameoutlinux has their equivalents either out right now or in the works
    mono is not .net, you just can't take a asp.net website or webservice and run it with mono.

    there is java, ect alternatives, but they are not .net
    Reply
  • bigdaddycool
    meh this has been coming along time!!! It's nothing new....

    Here's the real story behind it.

    Windows 2008 Server is rather complex, even their core model is too put together. The truth is Microsoft is stripping 2008 Server down to enable CPANEL to take over the operating system.

    Linux is great because CPANEL ultimately plugs right into free linux distributions! eg. CentOS4

    If Microsoft can merge their immpresive kernel into a CPANEL setup I'd say Linux will go down the drain so long as cPANEL works the same.
    Reply