Windows Server 2003 64-bit Edition is stated to be for "Itanium-based" systems. The Itanium uses the IA64 architecture. The AMD Opteron uses the AMD64 architecture.

Will Windows Server 2003 64-bit Edition run on an AMD Opteron? I suppose an alternate question would be, "Is the AMD64 architecture able to run IA64 architecture software?"

Thank you for your input. I would really like to install Windows Server 2003 Enterprise Edition on our soon-to-be upgraded server network. I intend to use clustered dual AMD Opteron-based platforms, and would like to take advantage of the Opteron's capability to run 64-bit and 32-bit software simultaneously, by running 64-bit Windows, and certain 32-bit applications.

No, the IA64 architecture is something completely different (think of it in terms Sparc or Alpha). The IA64 architecture won't *natively* run normal Intel 32-bit code either, which is where the AMD64 biggest advantage lies. There is next to zero penalty for running 32-bit applications natively on AMD64, but obviously the bigger benefits come once you move to a 64bit OS.

I'm not sure off the top of my head when the Windows Server for x86-64 will be released (I run Linux personally), but once it arrives you should be able to do exactly what you want (i.e run 32 and 64bit applications relatively easily and transparently).

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as mentionned here' ">http://www.techweb.com/wire/story/TWB20031015S0016, you can already grab a release of this OS for your next rigs. Even it is beta, you will be able to evaluate opteron (great) capabillities in the 64-bit field.

I believe AMD were giving copies of Windows-AMD64 (my name so I don't get confused) beta to marketing partners at their roadshows. If you are an MSDN subscriber, you can probably get it straight from Microsoft. This may follow Windows 2003 server pricing, which is approx $700 for standard edition.

SuSE Linux 9.0 for AMD64' ">http://www.suse.com/us/private..._linux/i386/64bit.html is available too, at the less wallet buckeling $119.95, and this isn't beta, but a full release.

Yes, I will likely check into Linux options as well. Our team has experience with Windows products almost exclusively, so youcan see why we are interested in the Microsoft product.

As for the money, it isn't a problem, as it isn't my money. (laugh)