Microsoft readies 64-bit applications

Rethink IT, April, 2005

Along with 64-bit Windows releases, Microsoft is developing 64-bit versions of a handful of its key desktop and server applications.

Recently, Microsoft has begun to inform customers and partners of its 64-bit migration strategy for SQL Server, Exchange Server, BizTalk, Virtual PC and Virtual Server, and other key enterprise applications.

While Microsoft will continue to support 32-bit applications for the foreseeable future, within the next couple of years both the desktop and server worlds are going to be 64-bit, according to the Microsoft world view.

Microsoft is paving the way with its soon-to-be-delivered Windows XP Professional x64 client and Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition server releases.

Microsoft is planning on making SQL Server 2000 available on Itanium-based systems only. According to the Route 64 roadmap, Microsoft is expecting to deliver this in March 2005. Officials said that the plan is to deliver this as part of SQL Server 2000 Service Pack 4.

Also due out later this year is Commerce Server 2006 (codenamed Golden Eye); BizTalk Server 2006 (codenamed Pathfinder); Host Integration Server 2005; Virtual Server 2005 Service Pack 1; and Virtual PC 2004 Service Pack 2. All of these are slated to run on x64-based systems, but not Itanium ones, according to the Microsoft roadmap.

By 2006, Microsoft is planning on having more 64-bit versions of its enterprise applications available. Among these will be Exchange Server E12; Microsoft Operations Manager 'Next' (codenamed Relentless); Virtual PC Version 2 (codenamed Hedgehog); and Virtual Server Version 2. All of these will run on x64-based systems, according to Microsoft. Microsoft Operations Manager Next also will run on Itanium-based systems, however.