Newer versions of Windows are built from the older predecessor, so Windows 98 would have sprouted from Windows 95, Windows Server 2003 sprouted from Windows XP, and Windows Server Codename Longhorn is sprouting from Windows Server 2003 with the R2 added pack.

Windows Server 2003 R2 has some brilliant new features to really enhance the server experience, such as Active Directory Application Mode, Automated Deployment Services, Windows SharePoint Services, Windows System Resource Manager, support for UNIX applications and environments, and Active Directory Federation Services. These will all go into Windows Server Codename Longhorn.

Not to mention, as Windows Server Codename Longhorn is being built up from Windows Server 2003, it will of course have the same old features as that. However, the new features include a next-generation of Web services including a brand new version of Internet Information Services (IIS) and ASP.NET as well as the Windows Communications Foundation (Indigo). It will support brand new hardware such as the long-awaited PCI Express slot as well as server partitioning, and will also have a new system to protect against attacks and systems for reducing maintenance. It will also have some features from Windows Vista and vice-versa so that they can interconnect with each other.

Windows Server Codename Longhorn is the server operating system that supports Windows Vista, Windows XP and probably back down to Windows 2000 Professional.

1.  There is a demonstration relating to this article. Click here to view it.
2.  There is a demonstration relating to this article. Click here to view it. 
3.  There is a demonstration relating to this article. Click here to view it.