• Chart: The Windows NT Server Timeline

Under a newly released life-cycle timeline, all support for Windows NT 4.0 Server is scheduled to be phased out by 2005. Affected support programs include Premier, per-incident, Quick Fix Engineering (QFE), and hotfixes for Standard, Enterprise, and Terminal Server Editions. The information does not apply to Windows NT 4 Server Embedded Edition. (For specifics, see the chart "The Windows NT Server Timeline".) Microsoft removed NT 4.0 Server from its volume license programs and announced its plans for phasing out NT 4.0 Server licenses in Sept. 2001. (See "NT Licenses Soon Discontinued" on page 20 of the Sept. 2001 Update.)

Server Retirement Plans Hazy

Microsoft has published a schedule for retiring its desktop operating systems in a set of "life-cycle guidelines." In contrast, it is making life-cycle information on its server operating systems public in a more piecemeal fashion.

Customers are requesting life-cycle information to assist them develop their acquisition, deployment, and maintenance plans, but the number of server versions (including, Advanced, Datacenter, Embedded, Enterprise, and Standard), delays in delivering the next version (Windows .NET server), and push-back from customers regarding recent changes to its licensing programs might have delayed the company's release of its server life-cycle plans.

Nevertheless, Microsoft has indicated that a full life-cycle calendar for all versions of its Windows server operating systems, originally expected in 2001, will be available during the first half of 2002.

Resources

For information on Windows NT 4 Server support and availability, see www.microsoft.com/ntserver/ProductInfo/Availability/Retiring.asp.

For information on Windows NT 4 Server Licensing Changes, see www.microsoft.com/ntserver/ProductInfo/Availability/Retiring.asp.

For information on the Windows desktop life cycle, see "Windows Desktop Life-Cycle Guidelines" on page 18 of the Apr. 2001 Update.