Windows Server at the Core

Joe Wilcox It must be astronomy metaphor day here at Microsoft Watch. We've gone from the "Big Bang" to the galactic core.

At the core is Windows Server 2008, which comes with 17 pre-defined roles for setting up the software for specific tasks, such as print or Web serving. During yesterday's TechEd keynote, Bob Muglia, senior vice president of Microsoft Server & Tools, revealed that Microsoft will add IIS (Internet Information Services) 7 as one of the Server Core roles.

IIS 7 as one of the Server Core roles would seem like a pretty good idea. The idea of roles is to load only features and services for a specific function, which would mean a fairly low-profile Web server with a smaller security attack footprint. Better still, there is the friendly and familiar command line. IIS 7 is expected to be available in an upcoming Windows Server 2008 CTP (Community Technology Preview) and Release Candidate 1.

Problem: Unless Microsoft makes changes sometime between now and Windows Server 2008's eventual release, IIS 7 won't support ASP.NET.

In a blog post today, colleague Larry Seltzer aptly describes the significance: "IIS without ASP.NET? It's like Oreos without the white stuff. Who would bother?"

ASP.NET is missing because .NET—as in .NET Framework—isn't included with IIS 7 in the Server Core. No question, ASP.NET and its developer community make up the core of IIS popularity. IIS 7 at Windows Server's core is going to need this other core, if it's really going to succeed.

According to Netcraft, in May, 31.5 percent of the Web sites ran Microsoft server software, meaning IIS; that compares with 56 percent for Apache. Interesting aside: Google Front End ran on 2.3 percent of Web sites.

Certainly IIS 7 would still have a huge role, even if not at the Windows Server core. Microsoft is so confident of IIS 7 quality, it offers a special "Go Live" license for deploying the Web server in production.

Still, something is missing at the Server Core: the Oreo's white filling. Got Milk—ah, Milky Way? Damn, mixed metaphors.

Related Posts:

• TechEd: Server Logos, Vista Tools, Microsoft Watch, June 5, 2007
• Longhorn Server Comes When?, Microsoft Watch, June 5, 2007
• Longhorn Named Windows Server 2008, Microsoft Watch, May 15, 2007
• What's Inside Windows Server Longhorn, Microsoft Watch, April 30, 2007
• Microsoft's 'Big Bang' Is When?, Microsoft Watch, April 26, 2007
• Viridian Delay Foreshadows What About Windows Longhorn Server?, Microsoft Watch, April 12, 2007
• Windows Server Takes the Lead, Microsoft Watch, Nov. 16, 2006