Microsoft Windows Server 2003 RTM snubs Opteron

THE LATEST INCARNATION of Windows is almost ready to roll with release to manufacture (RTM) happening within the next few weeks. It will come in both 32-bit and 64-bit versions but the latter will only be for Itanium processors. AMD's x86-64 technology is curiously missing from the support line-up.

The latest Microsoft operating system is designed for high-end servers with up to 64-way processing in the Datacenter Edition or 8-way in the Enterprise Edition. There are also Standard and Web Editions.

With the launch of AMD's Opteron system due at almost the same time, the new operating system's lack of support is surprising. There can be no doubt that AMD's x86-64 technology is drawing huge interest from manufacturers and customers alike.

Intel is, of course, delighted that Itanium is getting support. The company has been pushing its 64bit processor hard into the enterprise market and the addition of Windows Server 2003 will be a great boost. There is a 64bit version of SQL Server to go with it.

Microsoft is determined to make Windows Server 2003 the operating system that finally persuades customers to upgrade from NT. Intel is convinced that it will be the thing that finally makes the Itanium widely accepted. Where does that leave poor old AMD? µ

Update
Although Microsoft will not be releasing Windows Server 2003 for x86-64 straight away, one reader has pointed out that, at the very least there are debugging tools available for the processor which indicates that there is indeed a beta version with developers. You can find the link below.

Another reader wrote in to say that AMD has a small amount of information on its website stating that there "is an ongoing collaboration between AMD and Microsoft. AMD and Microsoft are working together to produce Windows solutions for clients and servers that leverage AMD's x86-64 technology. The x86-64 technology can be found in the upcoming AMD Athlon 64 and AMD Opteron processors. Windows products that result from this collaboration are planned to be announced at a future date."

See Also
INQUIRER Hammer coverage
Linus Torvalds, Itanium "threw out all the good parts of the x86"

L'INQS
Windows Server 2003 product page
Windows Server 2003 x86-64 debugging tool