Windows Server 2008 Editions

The purpose of this page is to help you choose the best version of Microsoft Windows Server 2008 for your circumstances.

Quick Question:  Which version should I buy?
Quick Answer:  Windows Server 2008 Enterprise edition (64bit). Choose Windows Server 2008 Enterprise Edition

My point is that if you are unsure, make the Windows Server 2008 Enterprise edition your default choice.  Another way to make sense of Microsoft's many versions is to start with the Enterprise version, assess what it has to offer; then use that knowledge as a baseline to evaluate the other versions.

Note: for the purpose of this article, I will use the terms 'edition' and 'version' interchangeably.
Microsoft's Windows Server 2008 Versions

    Windows Server 2008 Standard
    Windows Server 2008 Enterprise Edition (Recommended)
    Windows Server 2008 Datacenter

Other considerations before you order a Windows Server 2008 edition are, firstly, do you want a 32bit version, or do you have 64bit hardware waiting to install your server?  Secondly, would like to try the new Hyper-V technology?  Alternatively, do you need to save money and buy a version without Hyper-V.

One new feature shared by Server 2008 and Vista is that Microsoft supply just one DVD for all 64bit editions; consequently it's the Product Key that determines which edition you install.

There is sister DVD for all 32bit versions.  Incidentally, Windows Server 2008 is the last Microsoft Operating system to have a 32bit version.
Three Specialist Editions of Server 2008

    Web - Very restricted, dedicated for one specialist role
    HPC (High Performance Computing) - For clustering
    Itanium-based.  These CPUs execute more instructions per clock cycle than x64 processors.  Two minor points,  Core Server is not available as installation option for Itanium-based systems.  Also there is no storage manager for SANs.