Details on upcoming SP2 for Windows Server 2003
In the blog for the Windows Server 2003 development division, Microsoft has divulged details of a second service pack that is to be released in the second half of 2006.
The service pack will combine all security updates and hotfixes that have been released since the first version of the software. The pack will be uniform for all server variants and will also bring x64 and Itanium systems up to date.
The blog entry recounts a few new functions that the service pack will introduce: the new Windows Deployment Services (WDS) will replace the Remote Installation Services (RIS) and will be able to install Windows Vista on client PCs over a network. The new version 3.0 of the MMC management console will allow users to add snap-ins flexibly. Microsoft promises better performance for SQL Server as well as operation of the server using Windows Virtualization, Microsoft's virtualisation solution.
(ehe)