My buddy Long Zheng has uncovered another little gem.  In Steve Ballmer’s presentation at the Financial Analyst Meeting (See Long’s post) there is a reference to Windows Server 2008 Update Release

So we already know that Viridian (Windows Server Virtualization) will ship within 180 days of Server 2008 RTM, but before 2008 SP1.  So when I saw the roadmap slide, I had to re-read it at least a couple of times:

  • There is no “Windows Server Virtualization” or indeed any reference to Virtualization
  • Ok, so maybe they left it off?  They left Home Server off.
  • Anyway the presentation is all about about financial growth, innovation and embracing disruption.  There’s no way I want to hear Virtualization and disruption in the same sentence :)
  • Hang on, there is no way something “Gartner primetime” as virtualization would be omitted from the Analyst Meeting
  • Hmmm, there is no mention of Virtualization in Steve’s Keynote.  Lots on hardware, and hardware design
  • But, System Centre Virtual Machine Manager is listed under IT Operations

So maybe:

  • Viridian < (2008 RTM + 180 Days)
  • 2008 SP1 > (2008 RTM + 180 Days)
  • Viridian =  2008 RTM + 2008 Update Release

…or is it simply a case of Viridian will ship outside these releases?  I don’t know, just one of those “Hmmm, that’s funny” moments.