For identity and access management, R2 will support the Unix Network Information System (NIS), allowing for password synchronization between Microsoft's Active Directory and the NIS. The NIS enables the distribution of information in password and groups files to all hosts on the network. 'If you have Unix resource servers and identity stores, you will be able to work with them in R2,' said Lowe.

Aside from these developments, Microsoft is also entering the high performance computing (HPC) space which has traditionally been a Unix stronghold. It plans to release its Compute Cluster Server (CCS) by 1H 2006.

According to Doug Lora, senior product manager, HPC, Microsoft, the proliferation of Gigabit Ethernet and x86 architectures has paved the way for the cluster approach to supercomputing.

CCS provides simplified management, with a prescriptive approach to cluster setup and management. The integration with the Windows management infrastructure also reduces the need for specialized skill sets and helps reduce the setup time required.

In the CCS, jobs are run in the context of the user in Microsoft's Active Directory, meaning that security privileges and policies do not have to be set separately.