Q. What is Windows Server 2008 Foundation edition?

A. Microsoft has released a new edition of Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2008 Foundation, which is a scaled down version of Windows Server 2008 designed for small organizations. The Foundation edition only has a subset of the Windows Server 2008 roles and features.

This edition will only be available pre-installed on servers sold through OEMs. Foundation edition is basically an entry-level server—it's a cheap version of Windows Server 2008 aimed at servers running a Linux distribution. Microsoft has referred to it as a netbook-level OS for servers.

Foundation has a limit of 15 users and is licensed on a per-user account basis. The good news is that Windows Server 2008 foundation could be a company’s first Server 2008 OS, but as the company grows the company can upgrade to higher versions to get access to enhanced features and support for more users.

Features that are part of Windows Server 2008 Foundation include:

You don't need CALs to connect to Foundation, but you still need Terminal Services (TS) and Windows Rights Management Services CALs if you use those features.

Unlike Windows Small Business Server or Windows Essential Business Server, which bundle mail, collaboration, and management features with the OS, Foundation is just a scaled down Windows Server 2008 OS.

Windows Server 2008 foundation will be available in English, Spanish, Turkish, Portuguese, Japanese, and Chinese. Language packs aren't supported.

Foundation will be available only in 64-bit and has the following connectivity limitations:

See the Foundation site for more information.

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