Microsoft Plans a Less Ambitious 'R2'

In an effort to be more transparent, Microsoft has informed customers not to expect some features to make it into the Windows Server 2003 "R2" refresh. Instead, those features will slide into later releases.

R2 is expected to be a compilation of bug fixes that have accumulated since the software was made available in 2003, and will bundle "feature packs" that Microsoft has rolled out since the release.

According to Microsoft Watch, Network Access Protection security functions and updates to Windows Terminal Services are chief among the features that will not make the cut. The former will not ship until Longhorn Server hits the block in 2007.

Not all of the promised feature set will be delayed; in fact the delivery of at least one feature has been expedited. Microsoft's VPN network-quarantine security capability will be included in Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1.

Company officials claim that R2 is still on schedule to ship in 2005 despite the changes.