Windows Server 2003 For Opteron Gets Wider Test

Microsoft has gone public with the beta of its Windows Server 2003 for AMD's Opteron 64-bit processor.

While the beta of Windows Server 2003 Enterprise Edition for 64-Bit Extended Systems has been in a few users' hands since October, on Tuesday Microsoft opened the test to a broader audience.

A installation CD containing the beta can be ordered from Microsoft -- shipping is free to U.S. and Canadian addresses -- or the necessary files can be downloaded from the company's Web site. The download is approximately 550MB.

The Opteron edition of Windows Server 2003 is expected to ship in final form sometime in the second half of this year. Details on acquiring the beta can be found here.