Microsoft Opens 'R2' Beta Nominations

Two weeks after inviting Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 testers, Microsoft has opened the door to anyone wishing to beta test the next Windows Server release, code-named R2. A nomination form for the beta program has been posted to Beta Place along with a few details of R2, which Microsoft says is due in October 2005.

Microsoft's goal with R2 is to fill the gap between Windows Server 2003 SP1 and Longhorn Server, which is not expected until 2007.

"Windows Server 2003 'R2' is an interim release of Windows Server, scheduled to be released in October 2005," Microsoft wrote in a message to applicants. "The core of this release is built on the Windows Server 2003 SP1 platform and adds optionally installable components that our customers have been asking for."

The beta nomination survey reveals a number of the new features slated for inclusion in R2, including: Active Directory Application Mode (ADAM); version 2 of SharePoint; Active Directory Federation Services (ADFS), known as TrustBridge; Branch Office File Replication services (FRS); Common Logging File Systems (CLFS); File Server Migration Toolkit (FSMT); Interix and Network File System (NFS) support; MMC compatibility; Simple SAN support; and Microsoft's Storage Resource Manager.

Users can apply for the R2 beta program by visiting Beta Place using the Guest ID: wInr2nOm and completing the survey.