Rackspace Launches Hosting Services and Solutions for Windows Server 2008

Business Wire, Feb 27, 2008

Rackspace Offers New Operating System to Hosting Customers as Part of the Official Windows Server 2008 Launch

SAN ANTONIO -- Rackspace[R], a leading provider of hosted IT services, today announced it will begin offering Windows Server 2008 with an enhanced set of flexibility, security, reliability and management features suited for customers' IT hosting needs. As Microsoft's 2007 "Hosting Provider of the Year," Rackspace has worked with Microsoft on the launch for more than a year and will be introducing Windows Server 2008 Standard, Enterprise and Web editions to its comprehensive product portfolio in conjunction with Microsoft's worldwide launch.

Windows Server 2008 is designed to provide customers the ability to deliver rich web-based experiences efficiently and effectively, with improved administration and diagnostics, development and application tools, and lower infrastructure costs. The new, flexible Internet Information Services (IIS) 7.0 provides full customization of web servers to configure only the server roles and modules needed, creating a more secure and streamlined Web platform for customers.

"Microsoft's new software has made significant strides in terms of flexibility, management and security -- all key benefits we're looking for in an era of web-based computing," said John Engates, CTO, Rackspace. "As an official launch partner with more than 100 Rackspace Microsoft Certified Professionals on staff, Rackspace will play an important role in providing customers with technical expertise as they research and test the new Windows platform for their IT hosting needs. We believe that part of providing Fanatical Support[R] is to give our customers information they may use to determine an appropriate infrastructure, and when they decide the time is right to upgrade to Windows Server 2008, we can help map out an upgrade plan to help ensure a seamless and effective transition."

Windows Server 2008 also includes the new Windows PowerShell to automate common administration tasks for server roles with command-line shell and scripting language to more easily control system administration and to accelerate automation. The new operating system and security innovations include firewall improvements, policy based networking and auditing advances to provide improved protection for customers' data.

Rackspace recently completed a successful beta test of Windows Server 2008 with positive customer feedback. After successful testing of the new server's performance and stability, Rackspace is now making the new Windows operating system available to customers.

"Windows Server 2008 and IIS 7.0 are marked improvements on administration, remote access options and increased security -- all very important to our business. We're already looking into further migrations to Windows Server 2008 for the development of a high availability trading platform as well as our existing financial and custom web applications," said Aaron Wislang, director, Eretz Enterprises. "With such an advanced array of considerations and features, we would have been lost without Rackspace's Fanatical Support throughout the beta process. They have once again surpassed our expectations, and we will be recommending this new Rackspace offering to our current and future clients."

"Our customers tell us that they are looking to get more out of their technology infrastructures as traditional IT migrates to the web," said Bill Laing, general manager of the Windows Server Division, Microsoft Corp. "Windows Server 2008 paired with Rackspace's hosting expertise and support provides customers an excellent solution for creating, optimizing, hosting and managing next generation web applications."

For more information on Windows Server 2008 from Rackspace, please visit http://www.rackspace.com/promo/marchlonghorn.php.> About Rackspace

A recognized leader in the global IT marketplace, Rackspace[R] delivers a diverse suite of enterprise-class hosted IT services to businesses of all sizes. Customers choose Rackspace for its hosting specialization and expertise, backed by the company's award-winning Fanatical Support[R]. By integrating the industry's best technologies and delivering them as services, Rackspace serves as an extension of its customers' IT departments. Because Rackspace removes the burden of infrastructure maintenance and management, customers can focus on their core business. Rackspace's portfolio of companies also includes the Mosso[R] (www.mosso.com) cloud computing platform and Mailtrust[TM] (www.mailtrust.com), a provider of business-class hosted email solutions. Rackspace is recognized as one of FORTUNE Magazine's 100 Best Companies to Work For, ranking number 32 on the 2008 list. For more information on Rackspace, please visit www.rackspace.com, or call 800-961-2888.