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News from National -- Current Articles
6/8/2001
9:28:20 AM
Windows XP
Interview by S. Ibaraki, I.S.P.
This week, Stephen Ibaraki, ISP, has an exclusive interview with a lead
Manager for Microsoft’s Windows Platform Group. Erik Moll. Erik is
responsible for the Windows 2000 platform, as well as developing strategic
initiatives for Microsoft's network operating systems, including the
development and execution of the Windows XP.
Erik brings more than 13 years of experience in the information technology
industry to his current position: five years at Hewlett-Packard, first as a
Technical Specialist, then as the company’s HP NetServer Marketing Manager;
four years at Compaq Canada as a Systems Engineer; and four years at NORR
Partnership Limited, an architectural and engineering company, as the
company’s Manager of Information Systems.
Erik has a Masters Degree in Civil Engineering from McMaster University and a
Bachelor of Applied Science in Civil Engineering from the University of
Waterloo.
1. Can you provide a product summary: consumer, business, enterprise?
The Windows XP, 64-bit Edition will provide a scalable, high performance
platform enabling an entirely new generation of powerful Windows-based
applications. Its architecture provides more efficient processing of
extremely large amounts of data, supporting up to 16 terabytes of virtual
memory. With Windows XP, 64-bit Edition, applications can pre-load
substantially more data into virtual memory to enable rapid access by the
Itanium processor. This reduces the time for loading data into virtual memory
or seeking, reading, and writing to data storage devices, thus making
applications run faster and more efficiently.
The Windows Advanced Server, Limited Edition provides early adopter customers
with a fully-supported release and the opportunity to get started with
evaluations and limited deployments. In addition, customers who receive
Windows Advanced Server, Limited Edition through an OEM will be entitled to a
free upgrade to the final release.
64-bit Windows will perform better than Windows 2000 in certain environments,
especially those that require large amounts of memory (>4GB). For example,
large database environments that require >4GB of memory and e-commerce Web
sites that utilize SSL encryption, and technical workstation applications
that require >4GB of memory.
In addition to the benefits of Windows on x86-based hardware, 64-bit Windows
offers customers access to much more memory resulting in better performance
and scalability in certain environments such as e-commerce, data mining,
memory-intensive high-end graphics, complex mathematics and high-performance
multimedia applications.
2. What will be the cost projections for the a total system?
It is too early for specifics, but pricing will depend on specific vendor and
system requirements.
3. What will be the marketing model -- like Datacenter server?
Although this hardware platform is new to the public, Microsoft has been
working very closely with Intel and OEMs since the 64-bit processor’s
inception. Microsoft has created a program called the Windows XP 64-Bit
Edition - Early Deployment Program to provide a solution for customers at
Itanium availability. This program allows OEMs to ship pre-release Windows XP
with their systems and provides customer support direct from Microsoft.
4. What are the existing systems that the new offerings will replace?
This is an entirely new hardware platform. 64-bit architectures are designed
to meet the needs of customers with high-end server and workstation
applications that require very large amounts of memory (>4GB). Most
beneficial scenarios include customers running large databases, high volume
e-commerce or .com sites, heterogeneous workloads, and technical workstation
applications.
Customers should decide for each specific computing environment whether
64-bit architectures can increase performance and capacity over current
32-bit solutions.
The Microsoft Windows XP 32-bit and 64-bit products will be developed in
tandem, giving customers a full range of computing environments to choose
from.
5. What are the time projections for evaluations and final release?
Microsoft will offer 64-bit Windows for the server and workstation through
OEM partners during summer 2001. Windows Advanced Server Limited Edition will
be available to coincide with general commercial availability of OEM
Itanium-based systems. Windows XP 64-Bit Edition will be available through
the Early Deployment Program at Itanium availability. This program allows
OEMs to ship pre release Windows XP with their systems and provides customer
support direct from Microsoft.
Windows Advanced Server, Limited Edition will be available from OEMs only.
For more information about 64-bit technology, visit the following websites:
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