Now that you’ve had a chance to give Vista a thorough workout in your testing lab (you have, haven’t you?) it’s time to let it play with the next version of Windows Server. And, right on cue, Microsoft is making available for download the Beta 3 version of Longhorn, the next version of Windows Server.

Head over to Microsoft Technet just as soon as you can. If you aren’t already registered, you’ll need to fill out a form or two – but it’s not onerous. Then you can immediately download the version of Longhorn that would appear to be best for your circumstances, or at least the version you most want to “kick the tires” on.

There are five versions available:

* Windows Server Longhorn Standard Edition

This edition of Windows Server Longhorn provides key server functionality across most server roles and features. It includes both full and Server Core installation options.

* Windows Server Longhorn Enterprise Edition

This edition builds on Windows Server Longhorn Standard Edition to provide greater scalability and availability, and adds enterprise technologies such as Failover Clustering and Active Directory Federation Services.

* Windows Server Longhorn Datacenter Edition

This edition offers the same functionality as Windows Server Longhorn Enterprise Edition with support for additional memory and processors, and unlimited virtual image use rights.

* Windows Web Server Longhorn

This edition is designed specifically for use as a Web and applications server. Other server roles and the Server Core installation option are not available in this edition.

* Windows Server Longhorn for Itanium-based Systems

This edition is designed for use with Intel Itanium 64-bit processors to provide web and applications server functionality on that platform. Other server roles and features may not be available.

Be sure to check the system requirements for the version you want to install (they’re on the download page).

If you are unsure of which version you want to try, visit the Longhorn Web site where you’ll find details of each one. The “server core” installation, for example, includes:

* Active Directory Domain Services
* Active Directory Lightweight Directory Services (AD LDS)
* Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) Server
* DNS Server
* File Services
* Print Server
* Streaming Media Services
* Microsoft Failover Cluster
* Network Load Balancing
* Subsystem for UNIX-based Applications
* Windows Backup
* Multipath I/O
* Removable Storage Management
* Windows Bitlocker Drive Encryption
* Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP)
* Windows Internet Naming Service (WINS)
* Telnet client
* QoS

Why would you want to run this limited, almost stripped down, version?

According to Microsoft the reasons include:

* Reduced maintenance. Because a Server Core installation installs only what is required to have a manageable DHCP, File, Print, DNS, Media Services, AD LDS, or Active Directory server, less maintenance is required.

* Reduced attack surface. Because Server Core installations are minimal, fewer services and applications run on the server, thereby decreasing the attack surface.

* Reduced management. Because fewer applications and services are installed on a server running the Server Core installation, there is less to manage.

* Reduced disk space required. A Server Core installation only requires about 1GB of disk space to install and approximately 2GB for operations after the installation.

Just as an off-the-cuff suggestion, running multiple server core installations as virtual servers on a single hardware platform could allow you to ensure that every application had its own server image, no competition for server resources. But that’s just one suggestion. You’ll know best which version (or versions) of Longhorn will fill your needs. Still, you could try them all out, in different configurations, to make that final determination. But you’ll need to get started, so start downloading now!