Microsoft released to manufacturing its Windows Server 2008 platform Monday, meaning the software should be available for purchase on March 1.Customers with Microsoft’s Active Software Assurance coverage or an enterprise agreement can get it a little earlier, with downloads available by the end of February, according to a Microsoft representative.Featured in the operating system are automation of daily tasks, improved security and virtualization to improve hardware utilization and server availability, the company said. Developed in tandem with the Windows Vista code base, Windows Server offers capabilities such as Network Access Protection and Group Policy. System-wide performance improvements include an integrated system architecture including network file-sharing, managed quality of service and reduced power consumption, Microsoft said. Windows Server 2008 and Vista feature common tools to boost efficiencies, according to Microsoft. Also, a FastCGI module in Windows Server 2008 enables hosting of PHP (Hypertext Preprocessor) systems. PHP and ASP.net applications can be hosted side by side. The company is offering a Go Live license enabling users to deploy beta releases of Internet Information Services 7.0 into live production. Software Development