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News from National -- Current Articles

6/8/2001 9:28:20 AM
Windows XP
Interview by S. Ibaraki, I.S.P.

This week, Stephen Ibaraki, ISP, has an exclusive interview with a lead Manager for Microsoft’s Windows Platform Group. Erik Moll. Erik is responsible for the Windows 2000 platform, as well as developing strategic initiatives for Microsoft's network operating systems, including the development and execution of the Windows XP.

Erik brings more than 13 years of experience in the information technology industry to his current position: five years at Hewlett-Packard, first as a Technical Specialist, then as the company’s HP NetServer Marketing Manager; four years at Compaq Canada as a Systems Engineer; and four years at NORR Partnership Limited, an architectural and engineering company, as the company’s Manager of Information Systems.

Erik has a Masters Degree in Civil Engineering from McMaster University and a Bachelor of Applied Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Waterloo.

1. Can you provide a product summary: consumer, business, enterprise?

The Windows XP, 64-bit Edition will provide a scalable, high performance platform enabling an entirely new generation of powerful Windows-based applications. Its architecture provides more efficient processing of extremely large amounts of data, supporting up to 16 terabytes of virtual memory. With Windows XP, 64-bit Edition, applications can pre-load substantially more data into virtual memory to enable rapid access by the Itanium processor. This reduces the time for loading data into virtual memory or seeking, reading, and writing to data storage devices, thus making applications run faster and more efficiently.
The Windows Advanced Server, Limited Edition provides early adopter customers with a fully-supported release and the opportunity to get started with evaluations and limited deployments. In addition, customers who receive Windows Advanced Server, Limited Edition through an OEM will be entitled to a free upgrade to the final release.

64-bit Windows will perform better than Windows 2000 in certain environments, especially those that require large amounts of memory (>4GB). For example, large database environments that require >4GB of memory and e-commerce Web sites that utilize SSL encryption, and technical workstation applications that require >4GB of memory.

In addition to the benefits of Windows on x86-based hardware, 64-bit Windows offers customers access to much more memory resulting in better performance and scalability in certain environments such as e-commerce, data mining, memory-intensive high-end graphics, complex mathematics and high-performance multimedia applications.


2. What will be the cost projections for the a total system?

It is too early for specifics, but pricing will depend on specific vendor and system requirements.


3. What will be the marketing model -- like Datacenter server?

Although this hardware platform is new to the public, Microsoft has been working very closely with Intel and OEMs since the 64-bit processor’s inception. Microsoft has created a program called the Windows XP 64-Bit Edition - Early Deployment Program to provide a solution for customers at Itanium availability. This program allows OEMs to ship pre-release Windows XP with their systems and provides customer support direct from Microsoft.


4. What are the existing systems that the new offerings will replace?

This is an entirely new hardware platform. 64-bit architectures are designed to meet the needs of customers with high-end server and workstation applications that require very large amounts of memory (>4GB). Most beneficial scenarios include customers running large databases, high volume e-commerce or .com sites, heterogeneous workloads, and technical workstation applications.
Customers should decide for each specific computing environment whether 64-bit architectures can increase performance and capacity over current 32-bit solutions.

The Microsoft Windows XP 32-bit and 64-bit products will be developed in tandem, giving customers a full range of computing environments to choose from.


5. What are the time projections for evaluations and final release?

Microsoft will offer 64-bit Windows for the server and workstation through OEM partners during summer 2001. Windows Advanced Server Limited Edition will be available to coincide with general commercial availability of OEM Itanium-based systems. Windows XP 64-Bit Edition will be available through the Early Deployment Program at Itanium availability. This program allows OEMs to ship pre release Windows XP with their systems and provides customer support direct from Microsoft.

Windows Advanced Server, Limited Edition will be available from OEMs only.

For more information about 64-bit technology, visit the following websites:

 

 

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