Microsoft shows off file classification in Windows Server 2008 R2

Microsoft's TechEd is an enterprise show, but that didn't stop the Softies from leading off with Windows 7 client in its kick-off keynote on May 11.

Microsoft execs didn't totally skip over Windows 7's big brother, Windows Server 2008 R2 (a k a Windows 7 Server), however. Microsoft also spent part of its Monday keynote showing off some Windows Server 2008 R2 capabiliies that are new to the Release Candidate test build that Microsoft made available to testers in waves over the past couple of weeks.

One of these is known as file classification infrastructure (FCI). FCI allows admnistrators to classify their proprietary data using customizable rules to help them how best to archive it. IT professionals can choose to back up more or less frequently information they classify as highly secure, having high business impact, etc. (The data must be stored on a Windows Server R2 and/or SharePoint Server 2003 or higher machine to make use of FCI.)

Microsoft has been testing FCI internally, said Ward Ralston, Windows Server Product Manager.

Another new capability Microsoft has added to the Windows Server 2008 R2 RC is support for 64 logical processors with Hyper-V. (The beta version support 32 processors.) Processor-compatibility mode -- the ability to migrate between processors in the same family -- will allow users to deploy older hardware in a cluster configuration running Windows Server 2008 R2, Ralston added.

Just like the case with Windows 7 client, Windows Server 2008 R2 will have one RC only. Microsoft made the server RC available for download by TechNet and MSDN subscribers in late April, as well as by the general public on May 5.

Any Windows Server 2008 R2 testers out there tried out the RC yet? Likes/dislikes? My ZDNet blogging colleague Jason Perlow thinks Server 2008 R2 is just an R2 in name, and is actually more feature-rich than Windows 7 client. What about you?