Server Products Going 64-Bit

Future versions of some Microsoft servers will be released only in 64-bit editions as Microsoft moves aggressively from 32-bit to 64-bit computing. In particular, the next version of Exchange will appear only for 64-bit processors, meaning that customers will need newer server hardware to get the latest version of Microsoft’s e-mail product. The move may pose migration difficulties for many customers.

(For an overview of Microsoft’s 64-bit plans, see “64-Bit Software and Processor Roadmap“.)

Exchange Moves First

One of the first Windows Server System products to be available only in a 64-bit edition will be the next version of Exchange (code-named Exchange 12), which is due for release in late 2006 or early 2007. (This version will run on x64 processor designs, produced by both AMD and Intel, but not on Intel’s 64-bit Itanium processor). Microsoft says it needs to move Exchange to 64 bits because e-mail is a mission-critical application and Exchange customers are telling Microsoft that their current systems are being pushed to the limits of physical memory due to increases in the following: